The last thing your farmer wants is you to feel like a failure when you join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Share.
That’s literally the opposite goal of us offering you a CSA membership in the first place!
In the realm of culinary arts, the right kitchen tools can make a world of difference.
Whether you’re a professional chef or a home cook, having the appropriate kitchen equipment is essential for creating delicious and nutritious meals.
These items are critical for enjoying fresh, healthy veggies as a CSA member or farmers market customer.
REMINDER: You don’t need to buy everything new; the kitchen section at thrift stores, typically has these items. I’ve personally purchased a salad spinner and sheet pans second-hand and they have been indispensable in my kitchen. Estate Sales, garage sales, yard sales, Facebook Marketplace, and Buy Nothing Facebook Groups are also great places to find second-hand kitchen tools.
A Comfortable, Sharp Knife
A sharp knife that is comfortable to hold can make food preparation much faster and safer.
With a good knife, you can chop, dice, or slice your veggies with ease, making your cooking experience more enjoyable and efficient.
Sheet Pan with Lip
Ever found yourself with piles of veggies and not sure what to do with them?
Enter the sheet pan meal.
Simply throw your entire meal (meat, veggie, starch) onto a sheet pan and bake at 400 for 30-45 minutes.
The pan can also be used to freeze clumps of blanched greens or berries.
>>> Related: 5 Reasons to Join our CSA
Vegetable Peeler
This multi-purpose tool is not just for peeling veggies.
You can also use it to shave veggies for salads, adding a refreshing crunch to your meals.
Salad Spinner
With a bag of salad mix in your share each week, a salad spinner is well worth the investment.
We wash your salad greens before packaging, but it’s always a good idea to give them another wash right before you’re ready to eat them.
Washing and spin-drying lettuce can help prevent spoilage.
Freezer Bags/Containers
Freezer bags or containers are an essential tool for preserving any excess produce.
You can blanch your greens and freeze them, or chop garlic, peppers, tomatoes, and onions and pop them in the freezer without cooking, to preserve for when you have more time or for winter meals.
Don’t forget to label them! I’ve made that mistake so many times.
>>> Related: How to Make the Most of Your CSA
Ice Cube Tray
Ice cube trays are not just for making ice.
They can also be used to freeze homemade veggie broth, pesto cubes, blanched greens, herbs in olive oil, and more.
Wide Mouth Mason Jars
Mason jars are a great storage tool for meal prep, canning, or storing frozen veggies.
You can even use them to make Mason Jar salads for a quick on-the-go lunch.
Buying the Wide Mouth shaped jars work best in the freezer (no shoulders) and I find them easier to use for storing vegetables in the fridge.
>>> Related: 8 Key Tricks for CSA Success
Large Stock Pot
A large stock pot is a necessity for creating soups and stews, as well as making regular batches of homemade veggie stock.
It’s a fantastic way to use up carrot peels, root veggie tops, and other veggie scraps.
Food Processor
While this can be pricey, a food processor can take your veggie game to the next level.
It’s perfect for making salsa, pesto, pizza dough, pureeing soups and sauces, and even shredding zucchini or carrots.
It may seem like a big investment, but the versatility and convenience it offers can be well worth it.
If you aren’t sure you’re ready to invest in one, try a blender or magic bullet.
I used a magic bullet for about 10 years before I was ready to invest in a food processor and it worked well!
Schul Farmstead 