“Men and melons are hard to know.” -Benjamin Franklin
I have the hardest time growing and knowing melons. Every year I try – if I succeed the raccoons and coyotes eat them. No one eating my melons this year – so prospects are grim. I have cut a few of them – and it’s 50/50 chance you will get an edible one. Good news is – if you have a healthy bunch of crows around – they will love to eat a cut melon.
FYI I had some good comments about the sweet potato green recipe from last week, so, if you haven’t tried it….be brave:)
What’s in the Bucket:? MELONS!!, sweet potato greens, turnip greens, red and green tomatoes, cilantro, winter squash, hot peppers, braising arugula.
What’s at Market: sweet potato greens, turnip greens, basil, cilantro, arugula. Circle S Beef: SOLD OUT FOR 2018.
I often have a hard time deciding what to do with arugula once it grows from baby to mature. It’s too big and a little too tough to use in a salad. But it’s spicy flavor is just right for a pasta sauce or in pesto. In fact – I like arugula pesto better than basil pesto.
Following is a recipe for an arugula cream sauce. Here, it is served with pasta. But it also works well served over chicken or fish. If you can’t find fresh corn – add another vegetable, or some shrimp to the dish.
Directions
- In large pot cook gnocchi or Penne according to package directions, adding corn the last 5 minutes of cooking time. Transfer ears of corn (if using) to cutting board. Drain gnocchi and corn kernels (if using), reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Do not rinse.
- Meanwhile, for cream sauce, in medium saucepan combine half-and-half, cream cheese, salt, garlic powder, dried herb, and pepper. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Stir in reserved pasta water.
- Return cooked pasta to pot. Cut corn from cob and add to pasta. Pour cream sauce over pasta; heat through, if necessary. Stir in arugula. Serve in bowls. Sprinkle with additional salt, pepper, dried herb, and crushed red pepper.
Happy Eating and thanks for buying local food from Circle S Farm.