Fall Colors and Soup

You probably expected to see leaves - but no I am talking about the fall colors in vegetables. I love fall and winter vegetables - all those greens and oranges. We have had a lot of tasty greens over the last week. I have found myself experimenting with a few new recipes. Aside from the standard frittata which we always enjoy I tried a recipe for "Olive Garden's" Gnocchi and Chicken Soup. The recipe calls for spinach but I substituted the swiss chard and it was delicious. The greens added a depth to the soup that wasn't there before and even though it is a knock off recipe - meaning it really isn't from Olive Garden - I thought it was better! And hearty and warm - perfect for those torrential downpours the last few nights.

http://www.copykat.com/2010/02/28/olive-garden-chicken-and-gnocchi-soup/

Previously I tried this soup recipe and used the kale in it. I like this one as it tasted light but still creamy since I mashed some of the potatoes with my immersion blender. I just used regular turkey sausage, too.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Portuguese-Kale-and-Potato-Soup-10261

Of course each week we have a vegetable soup with whatever veggies are in the share and in my garden - and occasionally I'll add noodles or beans and call it minestrone. Yes I do love soup weather! And the salads have been super too! Those little cherry tomatoes - what a treat! Just add crusty bread and life is good! Hopefully you were able to put up the extra peppers etc that we had so that you can still enjoy some of the tasty freshness over the winter.

And what about those pumpkins - what creations did you come up with for them? I'll post recipes for them next but would love to hear what you tried. It might be your last chance to contribute until next year . Email me at CSAfarmgirl@gmail.com.

 

PS.If you thought our blog was done because I disappeared for a little bit - not to worry - I still have several things left to talk about and lots more pictures to share. I've been happily involved in my son's wedding and then was quite sick but I'm back for a few more weeks of vegetable goodness.

HAPPY FALL!