In the January 26 Twenty Bag: Bloomsdale spinach, grapefruit from Georgia-based Jonina Farms, sweet potato mix of Purple Murasaki and Orange Covington, rutabaga, Italian flat leaf parsley, arugula and lettuces, Brussels sprouts and Romance carrots. A pretty hefty harvest for one of the leanest farming months of the year.

Thank you Harleston Towles and Rooting Down Farm!

This week’s cold snap begs for a steaming stockpot of minestrone. Bon Appetit offers a recipe that’s hearty and healthy—combining ingredients like cannellini, spinach, and parsley in a rich broth guaranteed to warm the soul.

Pair that hearty soup with a crunchy grapefruit and fennel salad and you’ve got yourself a meal! I found a fennel bulb in my crisper from a December Bag that’s still fresh, thanks to its provenance—direct from a local farm. Pass a crusty baguette and your meal is compete.

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.  Grapefruit on the counter or in the fridge.  Sweet potatoes on the counter or in pantry.  Rutabagas, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and parsley should all go in a plastic bag to retain moisture.  Lettuce mix fine in its own bag.  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.  All produce is washed and sensitive greens like lettuce mix will only get bruised if washed again.