These were so good that I’m just going to skip the prelude and get right to the point.
I went for a 4 mile power walk/hike early this morning and was starving when I got home. My 5 AM apple with almond butter lasted long enough to finish my hike, but that was it. Okay, so I’m not getting to the point, but I’ll be there soon.
This week’s Grant Farms CSA bounty was a bit overwhelming. Actually, seriously overwhelming, so now I’m refusing to go anywhere near a market. I can’t spend money on store-bought food when I have all these fresh, local veggies laying claim to every square inch of my refrigerator.
So, what’s for lunch (10 AM lunch)?
Kale tacos!
What you need
squash, chopped in small chunks (I used half of a large zucchini-type squash)
1 medium tomato, diced
4-6 large kale leaves, stems removed, leaves chopped into 2 inch chunks
1/2 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped in small chunks
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 teaspoon red chile pepper flakes
1-2 tablespoons olive oil
1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
corn taco shells
cheese
sea salt
what you do
Preheat oven to 400 and place taco shells on a cookie sheet, set aside for now. It only takes a few minutes to heat the shells, so plan to put them in the oven when you’re almost finished making the taco fixings.
Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, squash and green pepper, stir-fry for 3 to 5 minutes until veggies are semi-tender. Add kale and continue stirring so it has a chance to get covered with the olive oil and cook down a bit (another 3 minutes or so). Place taco shells in the oven and set timer for 4 minutes. Next add the tomatoes, beans and crushed red pepper to the taco mixture; continue stirring until all ingredients are hot. Season with salt. Serve in heated taco shells, top with small amount of grated cheese (optional). Makes 4 to 6 tacos depending on how big the shells are and how packed you cram them.
This was a surprise hit. Gourmet Magazine, here I come. I might even serve them for dinner tonight.
Go forth and play with your food!
Melissa
Tags: community supported agriculture, gluten-free, kale, squash, tacos, vegetarian
Oh Melissa….these look soooooooo good. Maybe you’ll make some more for dinner? (The way things are going for you today, that should be coming up around 3:30 or so, right?
Wish I could join you! xo Diana
Melissa,
I don’t think I’ve ever eaten a taco but since I like all kinds of ‘bread’ and corn, I’m sure I’d like these.
One of the many things I admire about you, are these pre breakfast power walks. It’s mid morning here and I’m still in my fleecy dressing gown, sipping coffee
‘Hurry up’ you shout, it’s time to go to work … yes, quite right, time to sing my daily motivational song and leap into the day…. thank goodness it’s Friday!
Cid
Melissa,
Now this does look good! I’m picturing myself with a plate of your tacos, a glass of crisp chardonnay, on a wooden bench outside of an English pub on a sunny day. I really do want the moon on a stick, sometimes. Really fabulous looking stuff, so colourful. I just made the mistake of viewing your excellent photo in its full-screen glory and my empty stomach is now audibly grumbling!
Smashing post!
GDave
Good lookin’ tacos!
I, also, and being held captive by an abundance of produce. The tomatoes have kept me up late every night this week. But now I have tomato sauce, paste and diced tomatoes in my freezer.
I’m starting a new (big!) job on Tuesday. The chicken coop is not finished, as I had hoped. The roof is puzzling me at every turn, but is 3/4 done.
Yesterday I got my first pullet egg from my young chicken flock! They grow up so fast.
Happy harvest season to you!
You have a gorgeous site…and wonderful recipes to boot. Kale AND squash in tacos?! Now, that’s my kind of meal!
Melissa,
Nice one mucker! I’m going to have tacos for my dinner tomorrow now. I’d forgotten about them to be honest. Thanks for the reminder.
Miles
Looking for more recipes for greens? I went to a picnic yesterday. A friend brought these things that looked kind of like crab cakes. They were made with Swiss chard, onions, egg and bread crumbs. Pan fried in patties. Sounds like they would be totally do-able with gf bread crumbs! She found the recipe on Epicurious.
I would love those tacos, Melissa! We’ve been experimenting with different filling with tacos lately ourselves. Sometimes it’s little things like replacing the lettuce with sliced cucumbers-yummy. Sometimes it’s using my quinoa taboulli as filling. Beans can be absolutely wonderful in tacos. Now I’ll have to try the kale version.
Shirley
Hi everyone — I sure didn’t do a very good job of responding to comments with this post. It’s been a crazy week, but I always read every one, love your comments and learn a lot from all of you. Blogging is such a great way to share information! I have to do this in bits and pieces, but I’ll respond to all of these comments this morning.
Have a good day everyone. I’m off to early morning yoga! Breathe in, breathe out.
Diana,
You’re right, I’ve already eaten twice by 10 AM. Such is life when you have a skewed circadian rhythm.
Cid,
Gosh, I have been thinking of responding to this comment of yours all week. It’s a shame sometimes that “real” life gets in the way of virtual communication. The thought of you floating around in your dressing gown gathering steam to leap into the day, brings a full-on smile to my face.
Why do you Brits have things like dressing gowns when we American’s settle for flannel jammies with cartoon drawings on them? You have oh-so-much-more class than we have.
Love you guys! (You don’t use the word “guys” either, do you?)
GDave,
Tacos and chardonnay?
Over here, it’s tacos and tequila. As I said to Cid, you Brits just ooze class.
I’m sure you’ve eaten by now since it’s taken me 5 days to respond to my comments.
Thanks for the “smashing” descriptive. I do appreciate your exuberance!
Kay,
What is the new big job? Your chickens look so happy hanging out in their new coop and your harvest is over-the-top amazing! I’ll check out the Epicurious site for the recipe. Sounds delish!
Cinnamon,
Thanks and welcome! Yes, I’m trying to be creative with all this kale I have. I’m eating it in totally new ways, that’s for sure! It’s fun to be creative with it though.
Miles,
Do I say thank you or smack you one? What’s a mucker, my friend?
Yes, tacos really are a treat and can be very healthy. Fast, inexpensive and good. My kind of meal!
What an awesome idea! I am going to make these this week! We love kale and beans (greens and beans, right) - love that folic acid!
Ali,
Yes, these are delish! And another good way to work on my kale bounty. Your kids would probably like these. Good, easy and healthy kid food.
Shirley,
As you can see by the placement of your comments and my “non responses” that you ended up in my spam folder again. Ugh, what is going on with that?? Can’t figure it out.
Anyway, I always know if I haven’t heard from you in ages and if you’re not off riding around the country on your motorcycle that I better check my spam folder. You were in there with some unsavory characters. I don’t like that, have to make sure I get you out of there quickly!