All posts tagged: Vegetables

butternut squash chana dal got me like

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After a couple of days of takeout for lunch and dinner (I was cat-sitting for a friend after work, don’t judge), I got home needing a home-cooked meal like never before. I stopped by the farmers market to get butternut squash, wild-looking leeks, heirloom tomatoes, garlic and ginger. You all have been killing me with your butternut squash Instagram photos so there was no way I was not coming home with one. I didn’t have a plan but knew I’ve been craving dal for weeks now. I checked the cabinets for red lentils but found only split chickpeas. I knew the dal would be heartier and for some reason, I wanted the heartiest thing I could make. Hence throwing in some butternut squash. It was a last minute decision that reminded me why it’s best to cook on your nerve. Butternut Squash Chana Dal coconut oil (or olive oil, or ghee) 1/2 tbsp cumin seeds 1 small onion, chopped 2 sm tomatoes, diced ginger, thumb-size, chopped 3 garlic cloves, chopped 1 jalapeno, diced 1/2 tsp …

tender is the subject

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I pick a fig. I should say, I steal a fig. I wait til it’s tender. A purple bruise that spreads around it’s slowly growing hip once it’s had the sun touch it long enough. I wait for the sweet sweat on it’s flesh to appear which leaves a welcoming stickiness to the touch, a readiness to the touch, that’s how long I wait. I pick. I steal. Carefully, I cup it into my hand and bring it inside, making sure to give thanks to both tree and the owner who keeps it so close to home. I slice it down the middle, open it into the shape of a heart, and only then is it ready to eat. November has always been about gratitude. But for me, right now, it is also about healing. I’ve so much healing to do, and several people to thank for bringing me closer to it. I hit *almost* rock bottom a little over a week ago. Besides the fact that we’ve yet to put a name to the bone disease …

when your friend asks you to pick up her CSA share

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1. you say Yes. 2. at first, you think you’ve been asked this because Tory is going to be away that Saturday and she just needs someone to keep her veggie loves nice and safe. still, you say Yes. and you are already delighted because any reason to go back to the Brooklyn Grange will always be a really damn good reason. (VEGGIES AND CHICKENS AND BEES, OH MY.) but most importantly, your friend asked you to do something for her; you say Yes. 3. through FB messenger, you ask her when you guys can meet so you can give her all her veggie goods. she takes a moment to respond. maybe she’s laughing. maybe she called her husband, Jon, over, to tell him what Crystal just asked. and then after a minute or two, she says, “no no I meant for you to keep it!” and your jaw drops. this is really about love. Tory could’ve chosen anyone, but really, she chose you. this may seem insignificant to some. it’s just veggies, right? but no. it’s just …