The Spring growing season is just beginning to take shape as Ontario asparagus starts to show up on a select few shelves this week. The orders needed for the Halton Fresh Food Box this week are a bit too high and the first of the season prices just a bit out of reach to bring asparagus to the Oakville box. If all continues to go well with the weather this week we can expect to see Ontario asparagus in the Halton Fresh Food Box as soon as the 17th in Burlington.

Some other delicious Ontario crops that will be on the horizon are rhubarb, garlic scapes, radishes and heading towards June you’ll start to see Ontario strawberries in your local grocery stores. Unfortunately for us the nature of our delivery and packing means we won’t be able to see any Ontario berries in the Fresh Food Box as they are too sensitive to be put in with all of our bulkier fruits and vegetables.

In your $10 bag we have included: Ontario Apples, Clementines, Bananas, Zucchini, Spinach, Ontario Tomatoes, Ontario Orange Peppers, Ontario , Ontario Sweet Potato, Avocado, Ontario English Cucumber, Ontario Eggplant, Mango, Ontario Carrots and Broccoli

In your $15 Box we have many of the same items in greater quantity  with additional items: Ontario Apples, Oranges, Bananas, Zuchini, Celery, Spinach, Ontario Tomatoes, Ontario Orange Peppers, Ontario Potatoes, Avocado, Ontario English Cucumber, Ontario Carrots, Broccoli, Ontario Eggplant, Mango and  Ontario Spaghetti Squash

In your $20 Box we have many of the same items in greater quantity with additional items: Ontario Apples, Oranges, Bananas, Zuchini, Spinach, Ontario Tomatoes, Ontario Orange Peppers, Ontario Potatoes, Avocado, Ontario English Cucumber, Ontario Carrots, Broccoli Ontario Spaghetti Squash, Mango, Ontario Eggplant  as well as Swiss Chard and Celery

Ontario Ratatouille

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 eggplant, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 zucchini, sliced
• 1 large onion, sliced into rings
• 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1 orange bell pepper, sliced
• 2 large tomatoes, chopped
• salt and pepper to taste

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Coat bottom and sides of a medium sized oven safe dish with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
2. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir garlic until lightly browned. Mix in parsley, thyme and eggplant. Continue cooking and stirring for 10-12 minutes until the eggplant is soft.
3. Place a layer of each vegetable in the dish sprinkling Parmesan  between each layer.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes.

   
   

   Photo credit: linniekin via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA