What’s In The Box? April 2-8

Italian Comforts
As we greet the arrival of April with hope for healthier days ahead, we continue to be comforted by the signs of spring spotted around us here at the farm, and found in your box, too. Thus, this week’s Italian-inspired selection features a risotto kit complete with earthy baby Shiitake mushrooms, chicken stock and Arborio rice, plus Italian Rustica bread and a plethora of spring greens like pea shoots, arugula and Lacinato kale—just unpack your box, uncork a French red and find some fresh inspiration for the month ahead.

Arborio Rice

This round-grain rice comes from the Po River Valley region of Italy and is named for the town of Arborio located in the heart of the region. When cooked with chicken stock and a splash of wine, it becomes creamy and starchy and is a great accompaniment to just about any flavor combination—try it this week tossed with sautéed baby Shiitake mushrooms.

Baby Shiitake Mushrooms

With their curled umbrella-shaped caps and tender thin stalks, baby Shiitakes release a garlic-pine aroma when cooked and boast a rich, earthy flavor.

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.

Italian Rustica Bread

Baked just for us at a small bakery in Snohomish, this airy, rustic loaf makes for great oven-crisp crostini—just brush with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and rub with a fresh-cut clove of garlic before toasting in the oven.

Château Andriet Bordeaux Supérieur 2018

This enjoyable and versatile red wine from France boasts notes of black currant, olive, smoke and leather, as well as a beautiful earthiness that will pair nicely with this week’s mushroom-topped risotto.

Farm Fresh Eggs

Spending their time dodging raindrops on wet spring days, or strutting around their enclosure on sunny ones, 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, beige and cream.

Seasonal Organic Greens

What a beautiful plethora of spring greens! This week, enjoy Lacinato kale, spinach, arugula, micro greens and pea shoots.

Seasonal Organic Fruits & Vegetables

This week’s produce selection also includes bok choy, yellow onions, fingerling potatoes, purple sprouting broccoli and scallions, plus Cara Cara oranges and Meyer lemons.

Fresh Garden Herbs

Italian parsley, garlic, thyme and sage from the walled garden and greenhouse at Bella Luna Farms.