Eating Local: spring cleaning recipes

Did I mention I was cleaning out my crisper in the fridge?  Well I came across a few turnips...

Can't tell how big that pile is?  Let's try another picture...

That is my library card for scale...and yes, the bowl doesn't have other veggies on the bottom.  It is all turnip goodness.  I guess I better start coming up with more recipes that incorporate turnips.  Only problem is that this was just one of the vegetables taking over my kitchen.  I need to get cooking (and stop going to the farmer's market and grocery store and adding to my store of veggies).  Well, when you have vegetables, make vegetable soup.

As a kid my favorite soup was Campbell's Alphabet Soup.  On many an occasion my mother would cook this up with a grilled cheese sandwich (made with sharp cheddar) and I couldn't be happier.  This is a much healthier version but it goes nicely with grilled cheese or Chubble Bread

Clean out the larder Vegetable Soup for the pressure cooker

So maybe you have some onions left over from the fall? (good planning -- I have been out for months with only a short reprieve where one of my CSAs included a few onions) Or your CSA has started to include spring onions?

This lovely came from my Food Matters CSA.  Chop up a cup of onions which will be sauteed with some olive oil.  Hopefully you also stocked up on garlic because garlic makes everything tasty.

 

Chop this up and add it to your chopped onions.  Let see what else needs to be added to this soup...some carrots or parsnips, celery (I usually have a bunch in the back of the fridge that has seen better days), some of those turnips, green beans (I used frozen) some cabbage...

Maybe some potatoes...

Some tomatoes...

Wait a second there, there aren't any tomatoes back here in the pantry.  Spaghetti Sauce, I have.  As well as salsa and caponata but no plain tomatoes...plan B will work just fine.

Some water or stock or broth, whatever you have on hand remember we are trying to use things up.  I will admit to getting the broth from trader Joe's as well.  I don't have the freezer space to make loads of stock and I don't seem to do it so this "convenience food" works for me. 

Oh, you wanted your recipe in traditional format?  I can do that.  Your ingredients and amounts may vary depending on what you have in the crisper or can pick up at the market for those of you better about keeping on top of eating the veggies that you bring into the house.

Clean Out the Larder Vegetable Soup for the Pressure Cooker

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 4 (or more) cloves of garlic, pressed or chopped (your preference)
• 2 large carrots (or parsnips or combination), chopped
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 1-2 cups of turnips, chopped
• 2 cups green beans
• 1/4 head of cabbage (2-3 cups), chopped
• 1-2 cups of potatoes, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme
• salt and pepper (to taste)
• 4 cups canned tomatoes (28 oz can or a quart jar)
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth (or water)

In the pressure cooker heat the oil over medium high heat.  Add the onion and cook until nearly translucent, then add the garlic (be sure not to brown or burn it) and saute a few more minutes.  Add the rest of the chopped veggies and let saute for a couple of minutes (my pan is usually pretty full at this point) with the thyme, salt and pepper.

Throw in the tomatoes and broth and lock the lid into place.  Cook 6 minutes at high pressure and let the pressure release naturally. Adjust seasonings and  serve with a sprinkling of cheese. 

Feel free to adjust the vegetables to what you have on hand and it freezes wonderfully.

Enjoy!

Additionally, I have started adding grated turnips to just about everything that starts with some onion cooking over medium heat. Let me know if you have any great turnip recipes. I have it on good authority that I need to finish up the winter veggies because there will be fresh asparagus in tomorrows CSA box.

ETA: I have no idea why when working on my work computer (an ibook) where I have to enter all the html, the pictures do not insert in the text as I placed them. But since this is what has kept me from finishing this post and posting for most of the month (that and the fact that I have no patience to wait for my home computer which is dial up) and will publish anyway. Maybe this will encourage me to call around about other options for my home internet connection.

Comments

[Jennifer (Baklava Queen)]

Wow, Jasmine... impressive pantry and selections for this late in the "year"! If I were nearby, I'd swap you a jar of tomatoes for a couple turnips or some garlic... I'm down to the last bulb of garlic, and I had no turnips to try this winter.

On the other hand, I can make some wicked good curries if I find the time...

[Wendy]

Would you believe that I've never tried a turnip?

[Cynthia]

That soup looks delicious! I love those little turnips; they make great "fries," I cut them into wedges, mix with some olive oil, salt and pepper and cook at 375 until soft and golden - very yummy!