What’s In The Box? April 5-11

Signs of Spring
Though our days continue to be drippy, the gardens are finally beginning to show signs of new life as the first of the shelling peas, mint and microgreens are now gracing us with their presence. Thus, spring fare takes center stage in this week’s box, too, with fresh semolina pasta, pain au levain bread and locally-crafted sharp cheddar cheese all helping to accent a bevy of produce that includes red cabbage rapini, Romanesco and baby Japanese turnips. Crack open a bright Spanish white wine, pop a juicy apple cake into the oven and enjoy the first taste of the season!

Here’s what you’ll find in your box this week:

Fresh Gemelli Pasta

Hand-crafted in nearby Bellingham, this semolina pasta comes in a twisted spiral shape—hence the name gemelli, which means “twins” in Italian. Try it this week tossed in a light, spring-ready preparation with freshly-shelled peas, garlic and mint.

Pain au Levain Bread

This slightly-nutty, slightly-sweet sourdough loaf epitomizes French country-style baking with a chewy crust and light, airy interior. Baked by our favorite bakery in Snohomish, this traditional Pain au Levain is crafted using the bakery’s own sourdough starter.

Cortijo Blanco 2015

Aged in 100-percent stainless steel to showcase the vibrant purity of the mineral-elegant Viura grape that the Rioja region in Spain is known for, this Cortijo Blanco is floral, bright and clean on the palette and pairs well with pastas and salads.

Acme Farms Sharp Cheddar Cheese

This rindless, pasteurized cheese is crafted in town of Acme with rsbT-free milk from the jersey cows at Lynden-based Twin Brook Creamery and boasts a sweet, fruity flavor that is balanced by the moderately sharp bite. Wonderful for snacking or try it incorporated into a grilled cheese sandwich with microgreens and a splash of balsamic vinegar!

Farm Fresh Eggs

Spending their time dodging raindrops on wet spring days, our heritage breed laying hens are now also enjoying the tasty green popweed we pull from the garden, in turn supplying us with eggs in beautiful shades of brown, blue and green.

Housemade Chicken Stock

Made from roasted Bella Luna chickens, our housemade stock is simmered with carrots, onions, parsley and celery and seasoned with just a dash of sea salt.

Apple Cake Mix

Crafted from our own signature recipe, this apple cake mix bakes up moist and delicious when simply mixed with eggs, diced apples and walnuts—see recipes for details!

Fresh Fruit

Tart-crisp Granny Smith apples.

Seasonal Organic Greens

Peppery arugula greens and spring microgreens.

Baby Shiitake Mushrooms

With their curled umbrella-shaped caps and tender thin stalks, these beautiful organic Shiitake mushrooms release a garlic-pine aroma when cooked and boast a rich, earthy flavor.

Seasonal Organic Vegetables

This week’s produce selection also includes Brussels sprouts, baby carrots, sweet onions, red cabbage rapini, English shelling peas, Romanesco and baby Japanese turnips.

Fresh Garden Herbs

The first of the spring green garlic, plus fresh Italian parsley, rosemary, mint, thyme and garlic.

Spring Seedlings

Time to get your hands dirty: This six-pack of sweet pea shoots will make an excellent addition to your spring flower garden!