The organic Macomber rutabagas in this week's boxes are a truly local New England delicacy. Not much is known about the origin of this unique root vegetable, but legend has it that it was invented in Westport, MA.
Brothers Adin and Elihu Macomber attended the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia and were fascinated to learn about rutabagas, a relatively new cross between a turnip and a cabbage. They brought some rutabaga seeds back to Massachusetts and planted them alongside their radishes. After some natural cross pollination, the Macomber rutabaga was born!
Macombers look similar to radishes and have a bit of a bite when eaten raw, but a little time in the oven brings out a rich sweetness unique to this variety. Not many farmers grow this particular kind of rutabaga, but Michael Docter of Winter Moon Farm has a nice crop to share with us this season!
Get the Boston Organics
weekly locavore recipe
Creamy and crispy all at once, Root Vegetable Gratin is an excellent way to use all the organic root vegetables and fresh herbs you find in your box this week.
Carrots
Potatoes
Parsnips
Empire Apples
Mixed Herbs
Cabbage
Fingerling Sweet Potatoes
Onions
Celeriac
Purple Kohlrabi
Sunchokes
Chioggia Beets
Macomber Rutabagas
Hakurei Turnips
All of the fruits and vegetables we deliver are grown without synthetic pesticides and are USDA certified organic. Interested in receiving produce that's both organic and locally sourced all year round? Check out our Local Dogma Box.
Similar to a CSA or farm share, our Local Dogma Box is filled with the best organic produce from local and regional farms and brought right to your door each week. It's the easiest way to eat like a locavore!
