This week, I picked up my organic CSA box and was surprised to find a couple of items I've never eaten nor prepared. This is my third box this fall, and being a shareholder at a local organic farm has improved our quality of life, and it's an adventure in eating and cooking.

This week's box includes red turnips, carrots, white eggplant, tomatillos, tomatoes, kale, lettuce, escarole, red kuri squash, sunflower greens, and cilantro.

I've never prepared escarole, tomatillos, red kuri squash or eaten sunflower greens. Red kuri squash is second from the left--the pumpkin orange colored one.

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/nov/08/35154/

We were curious enough to try the watermelon gherkins right away. My husband thought they were refreshing and tart, and good enough to snack on pre-dinner.

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/nov/08/35155/

They taste like tart cucumbers, and are also known as "mouse melons" or Mexican sour gherkins. I diced them and tossed them into an egg salad.

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2012/nov/08/35156/