Helping Hands
Photo Credit: Erin Clark, Boston Globe
Good Morning!
A few weeks ago the Boston Globe ran a piece called Saving Chelsea about the devastating effects that COVID-19 is having on the Chelsea community and surrounding area. It laid bare the truths of how this pandemic is disproportionately effecting communities of color and exacerbating the difficulties for low-income families. The reality of rampant food scarcity was recalled in plain, heart breaking terms:
"Stephany Escobar recalled dividing up what little food her family of 10 could afford last month in Chelsea: First the children were fed, then the two men who still had jobs, she said. Those who weren’t working — four had lost their jobs due to the virus — split whatever was left."
At the heart of the story was a glimmer of light in the form of La Colaborativa de Chelsea, the Chelsea Collaborative. This community group has pivoted to be a large scale food panty, helping to feed over 2,000 families a day. People line up, and wait patiently, even as food runs out.
At Family Dinner, we want to do a small bit to help. We have ordered hundreds of pounds of produce, eggs and grains to donate. The folks at Deano's Pasta and Iggy's are making large donations of bread and pasta. Tad at Feather Brook Farms is donating eggs. And now we're asking if you can help.
If you have any spare dry goods or non perishable items (and diapers and wipes!) to spare, please leave them in a paper bag in the spot where we normally deliver your share. Your driver will take the donation and leave your share in its place. The Family Dinner team will collect, sort, and deliver the goods to the Chelsea Collaborative.
If this is possible for you, we appreciate it. We are really hoping to be able to use this incredible network to help some folks in need.
We want thank Denise Weaver for her work with this organization and for introducing us to their important work.
With Love,
Erin, Tim, and the Family Dinner Team
WHAT'S IN THE BAG?
Fish for you! We have bluefish this week from Red's. It's a bit of a more oily fish but is super delicious. See recipes below. You will want to enjoy it within a day or two, so it doesn't become too "fishy"
Being Green: It is a very green week, we are still waiting for Spring to yield more of our favorites and to bring more diversity into your shares.
Grain of the Week: Spinach Gemelli from Deano's Pasta
** Note: If you order a "Meat and Fish Only - Omnivore Share" - you will just receive the meats listed, not the "dairy " items (eggs, yogurt etc). If you order a "Fish and Seafood Only" Share you will receive the fish listed, and not the dairy items
HALF SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Pork from Feather Brook Farms; Ricotta from Mozzarella House
Pescatarian Protein - Blue Fish from Red's Best; Ricotta from Mozzarella House
Vegetarian Proteins - Spicy Seitan from Basil and Bunny; Ricotta from Mozzarella House
Paleo Proteins - Pork and Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Fruits and Veggies - Baby Lettuce from LEF and Humble Hands Farm, Swiss Chard Pete's Greens and , Beans from Bear's Best; Garlic Scapes from Langwater Farm
Grain - Pain Rustique from A&J King
Special Treat - Lemon Sable Cookies from A&J King
WHOLE SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Pork and Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Ricotta from Mozzarella House; Blue Fish from Red's Best
Pescatarian Protein - Sea Bass and Blue Fish from Red's Best; Ricotta from Mozzarella House; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Vegetarian Proteins - Spicy Seitan from Basil and Bunny; Ricotta from Mozzarella House; Pierogi from Jaju, Eggs from Feather Brook Farms
Paleo Proteins - Pork and Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Blue Fish from Red's Best
Fruits and Veggies - Baby Lettuce from LEF and Humble Hands Farm, Swiss Chard Pete's Greens and , Lettuce from Marshview Farm; Beans from Bear's Best; Tomatoes from Long Wind Farm; Garlic Scapes from Langwater Farm
Grain - Pain Rustique from A&J King
Special Treat - Lemon Sable Cookies and Sticky Bun from A&J King
DOUBLE SHARE
Omnivore Protein - Pork, Chicken and Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Ricotta from Mozzarella House; Blue Fish from Red's Best; Baba Ganoush from Magic Bites
Pescatarian Protein - Sea Bass, Scallops and Blue Fish from Red's Best; Ricotta from Mozzarella House; Eggs from Feather Brook Farms; Baba Ganoush from Magic Bites
Fruits and Veggies - Baby Lettuce from LEF and Humble Hands Farm, Swiss Chard Pete's Greens and , Lettuce from Marshview Farm; Beans from Bear's Best; Tomatoes from Long Wind Farm; Rhubarb from Kimball Fruit Fam; Arugula ; Garlic Scapes from Langwater Farm
Grain - Pain Rustique from A&J King; Spinach Gemelli from Deano's Pasta
Special Treat - Lemon Sable Cookies and Sticky Bun from A&J King
RECIPES
Spicy Pork Lettuce Wraps: You can sub in sliced pork, chicken, seitan or even fish here. Let the lettuce be the vehicle for all that tasty sauce.
Grilled Bluefish with Orange: In this recipe, like a lot of others, I skipped over a few things. I'll skip the fish brine, and cook it on a regular grill on foil, not a wood smoker.
You can also do the above with just lemon, herbs and olive oil in the oven.
Rhubarb Crisp: I'm way too lazy to make a pie but a crisp is right up my lazy ally.