Cara Cara Orange & Sunflower Shoot Salad
This crisp, citrus-kissed salad is both bold in flavor and beautiful in presentation.
Ingredients:
1 Cara Cara orange
½ pound sunflower shoots
½ red onion, thinly sliced
2 fennel bulbs, quartered, cored and thinly sliced, plus a handful of the fronds
Vinaigrette:
1 shallot, peeled and minced
⅓ cup freshly squeezed juice from a Cara Cara orange
⅓ cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon honey
¾ cup olive oil
Sea salt salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Spread the salad greens out on a large, round serving platter to make a bed.
2. Using a sharp paring knife, cut the tops and bottoms off the orange. Stand oranges up and slice to remove the peel and membrane. Then, slice oranges crosswise into thin wheels.
3. Arrange the orange on top of the salad greens, overlapping the slices slightly. Then layer on the fennel slices. Scatter the onion slices on top of the salad.
4. Drizzle vinaigrette over the salad and then season with ground pepper if desired.
The Italian Spring Recipes
This week’s lineup combines a bevy of fresh spring produce—from bright, vibrant greens to golden beets—with the soulful flavors of Italy, also including soft, pillowy focaccia bread, smoky sun-dried tomato spread and a verdant, leaf-shaped pasta that is begging to star in pasta primavera for supper (see the enclosed recipe suggestions for that one!). Also including fun Italian-style pantry provisions such as salted capers, Piranske Soline Fior di Sale sea salt and soft amaretti cookies with chocolate, this box will transport you abroad, all without leaving your very own kitchen. Mangia!
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Pasta Primavera
This colorful pasta is incredibly versatile—feel free to add in any of your favorite spring veggies!
Fresh Chive Vinaigrette
We like to toss this vibrant, green vinaigrette with fresh spring lettuce and lots of the tender herbs—think celery leaves, mint, chervil, or parsley.
Fava Shoot Salad with Walnuts
This bright and fresh salad shines a spotlight on light, tender, succulent fava greens.
Cara Cara Orange Salad with Escarole & Fennel
This crisp, citrus-kissed salad is both bold in flavor and beautiful in presentation.
Roasted Golden Beets with Balsamic Glaze
Sweet-tart balsamic glaze beautifully complements the mellow flavors of spring beets in this simple side.
A Taste of Italian Summer Recipes
Crafted from tender basil leaves, sweet pine nuts, extra-virgin olive oil, Grana-style cheese, fragrant garlic and a kiss of sea salt, classic Genovese pesto is a true taste of summer—and our weekly delivery comes complete with the ingredients to craft your own incredibly fresh version. Accompanied by imported orecchiette pasta and fresh Italian Rustica bread to pair with that glorious pesto, this summery lineup also includes farm-fresh eggs, heirloom tomatoes, a crisp rosé and beautifully ripe plums. Mangia!
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Classic Basil Pesto
Toss it on pasta, stir into salad dressings, drizzle over heirloom tomatoes—the possibilities are endless with this classic sauce!
Frisée Salad with Plums & Hazelnuts
Later in the fall, this salad is equally amazing with slices of crisp apple or juicy pear.
Slow-Roasted Heirloom Tomatoes
Slow-roasting these beautiful tomatoes concentrates their unique flavor—try these with a drizzle of pesto!
Grilled Turnips with Mint & Lime
The bright combination of mint and lime adds summery appeal to these tender-crisp grilled turnips.
Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with Honey & Lemon
Break out the barbecue for these flavorful cauliflower “steaks”!
Plum Compote
This delectable compote is delicious spooned over yogurt, ice cream, even waffles or pancakes!
Bucatini with Italian Sausage & Marinara Sauce
So simple, so satisfying: Top this week’s bucatini with our housemade sauce and cooked and crumbled Italian sausage.
Ingredients:
1 pound bucatini
1 pound Italian sausage
Nonna Pat’s Marinara Sauce
1 tablespoon butter
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Grana-style cheese
4 tablespoons micro basil
Method:
1. Cook the bucatini for 5-7 minutes in a pot of heavily salted water until al dente, or just cooked through with a bit of bite left. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water, and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, cook the Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium-high until no longer pink, breaking into bite-sized pieces with a spoon. Add in cooked pasta, 1 tablespoon butter and marinara sauce, tossing to combine thoroughly. Serve with a grated Grana-style cheese and a sprinkling of micro basil.
