Farm Fresh

beets, carrots, celeriac, garlic, onions, parsnips, potatoes, winter squash

What’s for Dinner?

I’ve got a bit of a squash situation. Doesn’t seem to matter that I cooked it like it was going out of style over Thanksgiving. Or that my whole family (mostly) buys into the devour-squash mission. Or that I even occasionally slyly slip one to a friend (or stranger) that looks like they might enjoy a fine squash. I’ve still got an envy-of-the-town squash centerpiece. Which is being replaced, now, with pomegranates or paper whites. So, I’m throwing squash-fest 2014 this week.

I began by getting a head start on a few make-ahead, holiday meals that could travel. Like many, we’ll pack the car full of winter gear and gifts. And frozen soups, stews, and casseroles! It was nice to make good use of the cute little sugar pumpkins that had graced my counter for a bit. A pumpkin and chicken curry seems just thing thing to freeze now, and enjoy in a couple weeks, with zero effort (of course, I skipped the other veggies in favor of just diced pumpkin!) This week’s menu will follow suit…winter squash galore. A fine way to celebrate the end of another lovely CSA season with Sauvie Island Organics, who has for piled my table high with amazing farm-fresh veggies since spring. Come next Friday, I’ll be listening for the Hood River Organic “veggie van,” eager to greet my bountiful box when the doorbell rings!

Friday – TV trays, christmas movie, & pizza (kind of)

squash and caramelized onion galette (Deb Perelman, The Smitten Kitchen)

Saturday – feliz navidad

winter squash & black bean enchiladas (Pinch of Yum)
wintery margaritas (Relish)

Sunday  – soup for linner

squash-white bean soup (Cooking Light)
cornmeal scones (Cooking Light)

pumpkin spice cake with honey frosting (Martha Stewart)

Monday – weeknight gourmet

parsnip and celery root cake (Nigel Slater, Tender)
roasted winter squash halves (Cook’s Illustrated, The New Best Recipe)
roasted chicken

Tuesday – salad(s) night

caesar salad with winter squash (The Seattle Times)
celeriac remoulade (Alice Waters, The Art of Simple Food)
beet and avocado salad (Alice Waters, Chez Panisse)
hearty country loaf

Wednesday –  root vegetable mania

roasted winter vegetables (Ina Garten, Barefoot Contessa)
roasted salmon with butter (Mark Bittman, How to Cook Everything)

Thursday – sammie night

squash, manchego, & balsamic onion grilled cheese (Food Network)
lemony grated carrot & seed salad (SIO Blog)

More Menu Musings…