In the January 19 Twenty Bag: Bloomsdale spinach, red cabbage, rainbow carrots, cilantro, fingerling sweet potato mix (Orange Covington, Purple Murasaki), scallions, mix of Honey, Page and Satsuma Mandarins and collard greens for prosperity in the New Year.

Thank you Harleston Towles and Rooting Down Farm!

Every year on the first of January, I dig out my biggest stock pot and cook up a batch of Hoppin’ John, a Lowcountry tradition believed to bring good luck. To make the magic work, the dish must be accompanied by a side of braised collards—the leafy greens are the $$ part of the recipe. I’ll be pairing this week’s haul of collards with a leftover Hoppin’ John I froze earlier this month, and sharing my good fortune with a friend or two.

A quick search of sweetgrass + grits will take you to plenty more recipes—all curated with an eye toward the weekly Twenty Bag harvest.

Harleston’s storage tips:   Remove carrot tops from root portion and discard or juice.  Spinach can remain in it's plastic bag.  Mandarins on the counter or in the fridge.  Red cabbage in the crisper drawer.  Collards, scallions, cilantro, and carrot root in a plastic bag to retain leaf moisture.  Fingerling sweet potatoes on the counter, or in the pantry.  Cool, dark place. If greens of any kind begin to wilt at any point or at pick up, put them in a big bowl of ice water for 20-30 minutes.