As we welcome in a new season and reflect on its abundance, try this delicious summery dish based on the recipe here.
Ingredients:
- arugula
- tomatoes (try heirloom or beefsteak!)
- 1 cantaloupe, ripe
- 1 large ball of burrata cheese
- unsalted cashew pieces, pistachios, or pine nuts for garnish
- balsamic glaze
- pesto oil, olive oil, or avocado oil
- basil leaves for garnish
Instructions:
- Cut your cantaloupe in half, then into thick slices, then remove the rind. Cut the slices into large chunks, about 1-2 inches thick and 3-4 inches long (or based on your preference).
- Chop your tomatoes into large chunks, about the same size or slightly smaller than the cantaloupe pieces.
- Prepare a bed of fresh, rinsed arugula in your salad bowl.
- Add the cantaloupe and tomato pieces on top of the arugula.
- Add your burrata ball to the center of your bowl. Optional: Slice gently into the center of the cheese to allow it to spread easier when eating.
- Top your salad with some unsalted cashew pieces, pistachios, or pine nuts for a delightful crunch.
- Drizzle your balsamic glaze and oil over the salad to your liking.
- Thinly chop up some fresh basil leaves and sprinkle them over top.
- Refrigerate or enjoy right away!
A Story of Summertime Produce
Celebrate the dawn of a new season with these bright and summery flavors! Tomatoes and cantaloupe are classic summer fruits, so they go together beautifully. Cheese is also a seasonal food, surprising as it may seem, due to the seasonal changes of grass that livestock consume. Burrata, which is like a creamier mozzarella, is a summertime favorite!
When you eat in-season foods, it’s much easier to eat clean and local! You may be able to find peaches anytime of year at a big-name grocery store, but they won’t be as sweet or satisfying as a fresh-picked, in-season peach from a local source. Eating local foods means you’re minimizing the demand for industrial agricultural growing and shipping processes, and you’re avoiding the added preservatives that keep the produce fresh during transportation.
One great way to find local produce for sale is to check out your local farmers’ markets. Another is to join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) group! Members of these groups pay the farmer(s) at the beginning of the growing season and are provided directly with freshly harvested produce each week in return. If you want a box of farm-fresh goodies delivered weekly, and you want to support small farmers, joining a CSA is an excellent option. Some CSAs local to La Crosse include the Small Family Farm and Featherstone Farm.
Invitation:
You are invited to enjoy this Summer Solstice Salad recipe and to celebrate the beauty, wonder, and diversity of Creation that we see in all our meals. Be mindful as you prepare your various dishes this season; think of where your food is coming from and how it has been handled. How can you lean into local eating, and away from harmful industrial-scale agricultural practices?
You can find Farmers’ Markets near you with this USDA Local Food Directory, or read more about CSAs and look into local participating farms here. Allow your appreciation for local and fresh foods to motivate your grocery shopping habits!
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