Last pre-Purim reminder- Melissa’s Mishlochei Manot!
Melissa of Mipri Yadeha is preparing a special, creative line of delectable products for Mishlochei Manot:
- § The Scroll of Esther–distinctive, hand-fashioned leather scrolls in a royal package: fruit leather in select flavors: lemon-mint, passion fruit, kiwi, apple-ginger, guava, pomegranate and more. 30 NIS per scroll.
- § Leather Mishlochei Manot – including four wonderful flavors: 10 NIS per package
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V’NahafoChubeza
So last week’s chubeza-leaves-in-the-box aroused many questions and quandaries, in an attempt to figure out what those strange leaves were (one client described them as “a huge parsley”). I hope that after a short bafflement, you managed to figure a way to make good use of it.
On the other hand, there were those who rejoiced at the change in routine, rolled up their sleeves and began cooking. I want to share two happy comments received this week:
Leora wrote: “I wanted to share with you the ‘gift’ you sent in our last box- the chubeza (mallow). As a child raised on a moshav, I was used to eating its fruits. So I was no stranger to the plant, but I never bothered to taste its stems and leaves. Now, based on your recommendation, I decided to prepare cutlets according to the recipe you included. I chopped up onion and garlic, added chopped mallow leaves and tossed them all into a bowl. When I took a look at the bowl, all that yummy fresh chopped stuff made me crave a fresh salad, so I added some olive oil, salt and lemon and got the most amazing salad! The sweetness of the mallow stems and leaves along with the lemon’s bitterness and the garlic’s spiciness combined to make one marvelous, delicious work of art. Add to that the many virtues and medicinal benefits of the mallow, and I scored big-time! And to think I used to weed out this delicious and nutritious green….. Thank you!”
Noa, an instructor of creative ecological programs for children in Tel Aviv is spreading the word: “Thanks to you, the children in my program will be taking part in a chubeza scavenger hunt in the neighborhood. Based on the info in your last newsletter, I prepared four notes they will find in all sorts of creative ways, and the parents will be given recipes. And we will definitely be picking the chubeza, despite the urban soot… It is so plentiful in the garden and all around…”
Here is a photo taken by Noa from an urban picking/gathering tour led by Uri Meir Chizik. Chubeza is an especially popular attraction—- what joy!
So thanks to those who dared and tried, and of course, to our very dear chubeza-mallow. It will be returning to your boxes next year, but do go out and pick some on your own!
Meanwhile, back at the field, it is full-blast winter. The vegetables are growing slowly, the earth is saturated with water, and the days are mostly cloudy with occasional sunbeams surprising us from behind the clouds. The winter vegetables are bounding with health and flavor, as they are drawn from the clods or picked off the muddy stems.
Reminder: Soak muddy roots in water. After a 15-minute soak, they’re much easier to rinse off, dry well and store in the fridge. Leave the greens “as is,” wrap them a towel and return to the bag. Wash them only just before using.
In honor of the upcoming Purim holiday, I recommend you read some interesting stories about masquerades in nature by Boaz Shacham, ecologist and zoologist, from the SPNI website (Hebrew). Notice another link at the top left corner of the page to an article about plants that dress up.
Wishing you all a good week, full of laughter and fun, joyful turn-abouts, amusing pranks and bountiful joy and light!
Alon, Bat Ami Ya’ara and the Chubeza team
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WHAT’S IN THIS WEEK’S BOXES?
Monday: Lettuce, leeks or scallions, purple or green cabbage, tomatoes, parsley root, carrots, cucumbers, broccoli, potatoes, coriander or parsley, kohlrabi (small boxes only)
In the large box, in addition: Peas, fennel, kale, cauliflower/beets