Making the most of 'me root veggies

I'm loaded up with all sorts of root veggies and squashes, courtesy of Boston Organics. While I'm looking forward to summer and, with it, the bounty of rich leafy green veggies that I'll be getting, I'm doing my best not to waste any of the produce that I'm currently getting.

Last night I made a simple potato bake: chopped white potatoes, yams, carrots, squash and a yellow onion - tossed together with some olive oil and sea salt and baked. Delicious.

And this morning I mashed up the remainder and made these yummy potato pancakes. So filling and delicious on this windy, rainy and cold morning.

Boston Organics is on the way!

After much consideration I've signed up for Boston Organic's weekly delivery service. I'm really psyched about it. Given the amount of produce I consume each week - and the desire to buy organic stuff that's grown as close to Boston as possible - this seems like a really good fit.

It's $29 per week but I'd spend WAY more than that if I were to stock up on produce of equal quantity (and quality) at the dreaded Whole Foods. Signing up is simple. Just select the size of the box you want, complete your "no" list (the list of fruits/veggies that you never want to receive), add your credit card number and delivery address and - presto - fresh, organic produce delivered every week right to your door.

And you can preview what's coming by checking out the This Week's Box section. My delivery day is Tuesday (Nov. 17) and I'll post a photo when the box arrives at work. I'm already thinking about the stir-fries, scrambles and other yummies I'm gonna make this week:

$29 2/3 vegetable
2 Bosc Pears (CA)
1.5 lbs Fair Trade Bananas (Ecuador)
1 lbs Fuji Apples (VT)
2 Hamlin Oranges (FL)
1 bunch Broccoli (PA)
1 lbs Carrots (MA)
1.5 lbs Delicata Squash (MA)
0.75 lbs Mixed Summer Squash (FL)
1 bunch Red Leaf Lettuce (MA)
1 bunch Spinach (MA)
1.5 lbs Sweet Potatoes (MA)
1 lbs Yellow Onions (MA)

Boston Organics to the rescue?

I'm having a produce acquisition challenge.

Since I decided to swear off Whole Foods - a decision I've remained steadfastly committed to - securing high quality, locally grown (for the most part) organic produce has been a big challenge.

My switch to Trader Joe's for my weekly shopping trips has been great. I like the vibe at their stores, the variety is great and it's really inexpensive. The rub, though, is that the produce absolutely, totally sucks. Seeing broccoli wrapped in plastic just doesn't light my vegan fire.

Like, WTF? Broccoli wrapped in plastic? Gross.

A colleague recently told me about Boston Organics. Seems like a really cool service! Basically you choose the size of the delivery box that you want - the cheapest is $29 - and every week they'll deliver to your door a box full of fresh, certified organic produce. You can have an all-fruit, all-veggie or half-and-half box. Very, very cool. And it's locally grown produce whenever they can get it.

Because of the Northeast's shorter growing season, some of the produce comes from California, Mexico and South America. But my philosophy on buying local centers on pragmatism. As with all things veganism/environmentalism, you do what you can and hope you're making a difference.

What I like best about Boston Organics, however, is the company's mission and values. They're committed to composting and recycling, efficient use of fuel and responsible distribution of food. At the end of each week they distribute any remaining produce to employees and make a donation to Food for Free.

What an excellent company to support!

I haven't signed up yet - only because I need to determine if I want the box sent to my apartment or my office. It's likely going to be the office, despite the inconvenience associated with that. But I'm going to do it. It should solve the produce challenge once and for all and I love the idea of supporting this great company.