Ingredients Archive - Page 25 of 27

Fennel

Fennel is a hardy, perennial herb with yellow flowers and feathery leaves. It is indigenous to the shores of the Mediterranean but has become widely naturalized in many parts of the world. It is a highly aromatic and flavorful herb with culinary and medicinal uses and, along with the similar-tasting anise, is one of the primary ingredients of absinthe.

The bulb, foliage, and seeds of the fennel plant are widely used in many of the culinary traditions of the world. The leaves are delicately flavored and similar in shape to those of dill. Young tender leaves are used for garnishes, as a salad, to add flavor to salads, to flavor sauces, and also in soups and fish sauce. The bulb is a crisp vegetable that can be sautéed, stewed, braised, grilled, or eaten raw.

Jen Reviews shares some of the many health benefits of fennel.

Preparation

The NY Times breaks down fennel prep.

Farms that Grow Fennel

Kahumana Organic Farm

Recipes

Creamy Fennel and Greens Soup
Fennel and fish go great together! Whether you’re grilling, poaching, or steaming, laying a few stalks and fronds alongside the fish will infuse the fish with sweet fennel flavor.

Mixed Potatoes

What we know as the potato is the edible tuber of a plant that is part of the nightshade family. All potatoes can be traced genetically to a single origin – a region of the Andes that is part of both Peru and the very north of Bolivia. Potatoes are the world’s fourth largest crop after rice, wheat and maize. There are over 4,000 varieties of potato and they are categorized into main groups: russets, whites, yellows (Yukons) and purples.

Preparation

Only the cooked tuber of this plant is edible as the leaves, flowers and fruit of the potato plant are highly toxic. Nutritionally, it is said that a human can live on diet of potatoes with only the addition of milk or butter (or any sources of vitamins A and D, the only two vitamins a potato lacks). Also, it contains minerals, fiber and of course carbohydrates.

– Always wash your potatoes well before cooking.

– Its a good idea to take a paring or any small fruit knife and carefully remove any “eyes” or bruises or cuts you see. The eyes are simply spots where the potato decided it might sprout a leaf, and sometimes the eyes can have a fibrous feel and bitter taste. Then peel or leave skin on if you want.

– Potatoes can be cooked and enjoyed every which way: boiled, fried, steamed, baked, roasted, mashed.

Recipes

Ginger

Aromatic, pungent and spicy, what we know as ginger is the root of the plant officially known as Zingiber official. Ginger is widely used as a spice or a medicine. Historically, ginger has a long tradition of being very effective in alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. Modern scientific research has revealed that ginger possesses numerous therapeutic properties including antioxidant effects, an ability to inhibit the formation of inflammatory compounds, and direct anti-inflammatory effects.

Preparation

To remove the skin from fresh mature ginger, peel with a paring knife. The ginger can then be sliced, minced or julienned. The taste that ginger imparts to a dish depends upon when it is added during the cooking process. Added at the beginning, it will lend a subtler flavor while added near the end, it will deliver a more pungent taste.

Farmers that grow Ginger

Pacific Gateway Center

Recipes

Tom Kha Soup

Butternut Squash

Butternut Squash is typically grown during the winter time on the mainland however grows well during spring time here in Hawaii. It grows on a vine and tastes similar to pumpkin. As it gets ripe it gets deeper orange in color and sweet and rich in flavor. It’s a great source of fiber, vitamin C, A & E, magnesium, and potassium.

Preparation

There are so many ways to enjoy butternut squash. It is equally delicious as a savory dish or sweet treat. The fruit is prepared by removing the skin, stalk, and seeds. However, the seeds are edible, either raw or roasted, and the skin is also edible and softens when roasted. One of the most common ways to prepare butternut squash is roasting. To do this, the squash is cut in half lengthwise, lightly brushed with cooking oil, and placed cut side down on a baking sheet. It is then baked for 45 minutes or until it is softened. Once roasted, it can be eaten in a variety of ways.

Farms that grow Butternut Squash

Ho Farms

Recipes

Eggplant

Eggplant is a species of nightshade grown for its edible fruit.

Preparation

Most eggplants can be eaten either with or without their skin. However, the larger ones and those that are white in color generally have tough skins that may not be palatable. To remove skin, you can peel it before cutting or if you are baking it, you can scoop out the flesh once it is cooked.

Farmers that grow Eggplant

Recipes

Fennel

Mixed Potatoes

Ginger

Butternut Squash

Eggplant

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