March, 2006 - Volume 7, Issue 5



March Is a Month of Greens



Spring has sprung around here, and with St. Patrick’s Day fast approaching, we thought it would be a great time to celebrate greens.

From arugula to pea shoots, greens are an essential part of everyone’s diet. Leafy green vegetables are packed with important vitamins, such as Vitamin A (which helps promote healthy eyes, a strong immune system and growth and repair of your body tissues) Vitamin C, Iron, Folic Acid, Calcium (a type that your body more easily absorbs than the calcium found in dairy products), and fiber.

So greens are very good for you, and experts suggest you eat a few servings a day. Here at NP, we can help because we have a large selection of locally-grown greens so you and your family can eat well and never be bored with the same few veggies.

GREAT GREENS
Right now, from Jan and Francis Thompson’s own Twin Brooks Farm in Loomis, we have gorgeous Rainbow Chard, Tuscan (Dinosaur) Kale, Collard Greens and Red Ursa kale. Other greens available at NP include radicchio, watercress, baby spinach, baby arugula, baby bok choi, and beet greens.

Many of these leafy greens taste great fresh in salads. Or try a delicious greens sautee: Wash and chop your greens (try a variety of greens for fun!), sautée some diced shallots and garlic in olive oil, and toss in the greens until they are just wilted and still bright. Serve alone or over rice or in a tortilla! You can also chop greens finely and scramble some into your eggs. Or chop them up and stir them into your pasta sauce. (We know that sometimes you have to get sneaky to get the kids to eat them!)

ORGANIC PEA SHOOTS
Perhaps you saw the little feature on Pea Shoots in the March issue of Sunset? Thanks to our neighbor, The Natural Trading Company, in Penryn, we have Organic Pea Shoots that are the most tender and delicious you will find. Try these tasty and healthy greens in salads, soups, stir-frys and pasta.

We hope to see you in the store soon!