'Tis the Season for Salad

Fresh greens.  I have been craving them all winter, ever since I had greenhouse grown greens at the NOFA-NY conference in January.  Knowing our NY farmers could grow something so delectable in the snow made me crave it all the more.  In the winter we enjoy the heartier greens - kales, arugula, certain leaf lettuces, but come late spring it is time for the tender greens - sans Butterhead Lettuce.  Like it's name it melts in your mouth.  This is the lettuce that to me spells summer, in salad, on top of a burger, however you like to sneak in your greens this is one to make sure you have either in your garden or can get from your local farmers market. 

Saturday was my food shopping tour day.  As I've mentioned before these Saturday's occur about once a month when I head out to stock up on our meat and seafood.  Meat from Duink Farm and Seafood from Exclusively Alaskan Goods.  Only this time of year Duink's has extra treats - like Butterhead lettuce and cucumbers, and broccoli and cauliflower.  It was like the heavens opened and the angels sang when I walked into their on farm market on Saturday.  I was in awe.  I found myself rationing the cucumber after day 1 to see if we can extend it's life until the next time they are open.  I'm sending Dann back for more cucumbers and lettuce tomorrow (they are only open Wednesday's and Saturday's).  This is NOT the time of year to be rationing cucumbers, THIS is the time of year to embrace them!

So this weeks recipe is to celebrate the veggies of the season - Butterhead Lettuce (Duink Farm) topped with Radish (Miller Farms), Green Onion (Miller Farms), Cucumber (Duink Farm) and Ham (Duink Farm).  I also made a blue cheese dressing using Roquefort, Buttermilk, Mayonnaise, Greek Yogurt, dash of Rice Vinegar, garlic and pepper.  Simply Divine.  Simply makes me feel like it is almost summer, but alas my salad was missing the gem of the summer...still no dirt grown tomatoes, though I can buy locally grown Hydro tomatoes, it just doesn't seem right for some reason, knowing the real thing is only mere moments away from showing up at the markets!