Organic Purple Artichokes, COKE FARMS, San Juan Bautista, CA

Use purple artichokes in any recipe that calls for green.  With a pretty deep purple color, often with hints of dark green, the purple artichoke comes from heirloom seeds;  the purple color is the result of plant pigments called anthocyanins, a type of flavinoids.

Artichokes can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways. To prepare artichokes leaves for a simple boil, use kitchen scissors to trim each scale to remove the thorny tip. Boil in salted water until tender, then remove the leaves one at a time to dip in melted butter, hollandaise or aioli, scraping away only the soft inside of each leaf with your teeth. Remove the fuzzy inedible choke to reveal the delicate heart underneath.

Store fresh artichokes unwashed in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to a week. When working with artichokes, avoid discoloration once cut by holding in water with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Organic Rainbow Carrots, PRIMAVERA, Vista, CA

Originally grown in ancient Persia, all carrots were purple. Other colors, such as white, yellow, and red began to develop over the course of the next thousand years as their cultivation spread through Asia. The first orange carrots were grown in the Netherlands about 200 years ago for the Royal House of Oranje.

Rich in potassium, plus Vitamins A and C, cook carrots and serve with a little oil or butter to release their full nutritious potential. Keep wrapped in a bag in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Organic Mixed Cherry Tomatoes, COKE FARMS, San Juan Bautista, CA 

Baby or cherry tomatoes are traditionally sweeter than other tomato varieties. That delightful sweet – acid combination makes them an especially welcome addition to salads or as a snack. An excellent source of both Vitamins A and C, tomatoes are low in calories and high in minerals and fiber. Cooked tomatoes are also a great source of lycopene, which may have anti-cancer and pro-eye health qualities.

Store unwashed in a cool dry place, but not the fridge. Chilling tomatoes negatively affects a tomato's sweet flavor and plump texture.

Organic Cheddar Cauliflower, COKE FARMS, San Juan Bautista, CA

So named "Cheddar" cauliflower because of its resemblance to cheddar cheese and its pretty bright orange color.  First developed in Canada, the vibrant color is due to high levels of beta-carotene.  Cauliflower gets its name from the Latin "caulis" (cabbage) and flower. A member of the nutrition packed Brassica family (cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, etc.) cauliflower is rich in fiber, folate, vitamin C, B vitamins and valuable cancer fighting phytochemicals. Cauliflower can also be found in shades of creamy white, purple, and green. Store cauliflower in a bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 

Organic Little Gems Lettuce, COKE FARMS, San Juan Bautista, CA

Little Gems are often thought to have the best qualities of both Romaine and Butter lettuce.  It's pleasingly crisp texture blends well with its buttery flavor.  Little Gems are ideal in salads and will stand up to a large variety of salad dressing and ingredients, or use in wraps, on sandwiches, or in soups or stir-fry's.  Store Little Gems unwashed for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. 

Optional Additions:

Additional Fruit: Organic Honeycrisp Apples

Vegetarian: Promontory Cheese, BEEHIVE CHEESE, Uintah, UT

Omnivore: Promontory Cheese, BEEHIVE CHEESE, Uintah, UT and Ranchero Steaks, CANYON MEADOWS RANCH, Altamont, UT

Omnivore Plus: Promontory Cheese, BEEHIVE CHEESE, Uintah, UT, Richmond, UT and New York Steaks, CANYON MEADOWS RANCH, Altamont, UT

Organic certification is provided by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). CCOF has been helping to create and maintain extremely high standards in organic farming since 1973.