Purple daikons chillin' and crispin'. Photo and recipe by Mackenzie Smith Kelley.

Is it just us, or do things feel fresher and lighter? Like 2021 can, in fact, be the year where we achieve some goals, love our neighbors, and support our farmers. Our rubber boots feel light despite the years of mud, and the seasons ahead looks bright. We’re farmers, and so we can’t help but approach the impending months with a feeling of optimism and excitement. Our greenhouse is about to be standing room only, thousands and thousands of seeds, tucked away in tiny cells, prodded to germinate and produce not only a bountiful spring harvest for the farm but also a vast inventory for our spring transplant sale (which will happen both online and in-person, at our greenhouse). It’s not too early to begin prepping your garden spaces! In celebration of these feelings of levity and bountiful opportunity, we thought we’d share 5 light recipes to inspire your plate and your path. It’s Texas salad season, after all!

Sunshine salad story and photo by Mackenzie Smith Kelley. All Rights Reserved

SUNSHINE SALAD

In addition to being salad season, it’s also citrus season and here at JBG we have access to the freshest Texas citrus harvested in the Rio Grande Valley. This citrus-salad recipe is also a story about Covid, which feels timely and important, and so we don’t mind sharing for the second week in a row.

Photo and recipe by the dynamic duo, Heydon and Isaac.

QUICK AND EASY LATE FALL SALAD 

Despite the name, this salad will also work in the late winter. It’s been a mild season, and so many of our greens, roots, and herbs are still top-notch. This salad features a cohesive meeting of all of the above.

Photo and recipe by The Migoni Kitchen.

FRENCH GRATED CARROT SALAD

We love a recipe with a story, as well as one with a short ingredients list. This salad is inspired by Summer Migoni’s summers in France, visiting her grandparents. Here in Texas, carrots are a cool-season crop, so now is the time to make your own memories. Bon appétit.

Plate assemblage and photo by Mackenzie Smith Kelley. All Rights Reserved.

RADISH SALAD

We know you’ve been inundated with radishes lately, and we bet you’ve been topping all of your favorite dishes with the crunch and pep that they provide. But have you let your radishes shine this season, starring in their own show? This salad recipe will show you how simple it can be.

CESAR SALAD TWO WAYS

Is there anything more satisfying than a crisp, creamy, and umami-packed Cesar salad? Yes: it’s this salad prepared two ways, both versions with a homemade Cesar dressing that you could drink.