Vegetable Wisdom

Jul 25, 2008 10:04:39 PM

Last night I picked up our weekly share of vegetables from a local organic farm.  One of my favorite things about arriving at the pick-up spot is that first glance inside the box.  It feels a bit like Christmas has arrived and that moment has finally come when I get to unwrap my first present.  Opening up the box, the fresh smells of summer race out to greet me and the intense color of the produce is a welcome sight.  This time of year we are getting lots of greens, fresh herbs, beets, onions, carrots, peas…the crops of early summer.  I believe that nature in its perfect timing, provides us with what we need to nurture our bodies and this time of year lots of leafy salads and beet greens, spinach and kale are just what the doctor ordered.  What has been fun trying things again that I wouldn’t typically think to buy at the store, like kale.  At the present time, while we love steamed spinach and beet greens, my family is still working really hard to develop a love affair (even a reasonable friendship) with Kale.  I have to believe we just haven’t landed on the right recipe that will do this amazing veggie justice. 

Kale is one of the healthiest foods around. It’s full of vitamins A, C, and K, and it is a great source of manganese, calcium and iron. It also has no cholesterol and offers a nice serving of fiber and protein. The problem is kale is much tougher than other leafy greens.  As a result, it is often used in soups, and this time of the year it just feels too hot to make a big pot of soup.  Still, I’m not ready to give up my quest to find the best way to take advantage of the rare gift that kale is.  So tonight we will try a new preparation that requires roasting it, and who knows, maybe this new view will take us a step closer toward acceptance.

I found myself wondering this morning how kale can teach me about other things in my life.  Perhaps if I looked harder I would find the gem that exists under the surface, whether it be a vegetable, a circumstance, or another person.  How easy it is to quickly determine that I don’t like this or that, when in fact I may not have searched for the right use.  How many other things have I turned my nose up at without giving the gift that is provided it’s due?  My moto today is, All Hail Kale!