We were back in town this weekend and excited to pick up another Bountiful Basket – a local produce co-op which offers conventional baskets each week for $15 and organic product (bi-weekly) for $25. We were a bit unsure whether we got our money’s worth today, but after reviewing some of the prices at one of our local grocery stores we think we did – you be the judge. And oh yeah, can you share some recipes and uses for parsnips? I’ve asked Thrifty Cas and she has assured me they are edible.
Here’s what we received in this week’s basket:
- 1 bunch of organic spinach
- 1 personal organic watermelon (we can’t remember the official name – is it mini-sweet melon?)
- 1 pint Earthbound Farm organic grape tomatoes
- 3 lbs VivaTierra organic apples
- 6 organic pears
- 4 organic avocados
- 2 organic red onions
- 1 organic butternut squash
- 2 organic parsnips
- 3 organic yams
- 1 head organic broccoli
- 1 head of organic red-leaf lettuce
As we have mentioned many times before, we love to get our produce this way – especially when we can get such a great value for the organic produce which would cost us quite a bit more in-store!
You can see past examples of our produce baskets by seeing our previous posts here. Each week, it is a surprise what we will receive. But we love it!!
We have also posted this information before, but we wanted to keep posting it in these posts so that everyone reading can have some ideas on how to get involved with a produce co-op:
There are many produce co-ops and grocery co op groups and it’s various forms across the nation that you can join and be a part of. A good place to start looking is at a the site localharvest.org (which id going to help you get organic local food) or coopdirectory.org (I am not sure how updated this site is as our area’s listings were old and many not listed, but at least worth a shot!) or search produce co-op your state under google and see what listings come up. Also, Money Saving Mom posted an article on how to start your own produce co-op, especially if you could not find one in your area.
Tracey
Parsnips..first time I used them was last year when a recipe for making a moist smoked turkey with root vegetables was on our Thanksgiving menu. We sampled this ridiculously easy meal at Publix supermarket and then had to have it! I had never even USED a parsnip before! They are like carrots basically..we just cut them up into chunks and used them with carrots and celery and onions..salted and bay leaf at bottom of roasting pan..melted butter/chick broth and flour whisked and poured over the top..roasting rack on top of veggies (we just plopped that smoked turkey right on top of the veggies, no rack since it was smoked and few juices). Covered in foil and heated in 400 degree oven for about 45-60 min. Removed turk, removed veggies to serving dish and then whisked juices with another can of chick broth for gravy. It was AMAZINGLY moist and delicious!! Our favorite!! If you want the exact recipe, try publix.com/aprons or just email me, I have it!!! munchiema @ yahoo enjoy!