DISH OF THE WEEK: Veggies & Dips at LOCAL ROOTS

Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City

We should all be getting our produce at local farms, markets, or through a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). One of the most popular CSA’s that serves Brooklyn neighborhoods just south of Atlantic Avenue is Local Roots. They’ve been offering pick-up options since 2011.

Since I don’t live in their vicinity, I’ve never received my own bundle. But now that they have opened up their own marketplace and café not too far from where I lead tours, I decided to stop in to check out some of their food.

They sell locally made packaged goods, a bounty of seasonal produce, and an interesting menu combining the local veggies with flavors from the owner’s Chinese American heritage.

I tried a number of dishes including hearty tea-marinated hard boiled eggs, a yummy sesame miso chocolate chip cookie, a rice roll stuffed with fresh veggies and a croissant, and something called Zha Jiang which was a plate of sweet and complex ground pork.

But the dish that really showcases this CSA turned Asian-inspired café is a simple plate of fresh veggies and housemade dips.

This beautiful, healthy and flavorful dish reminds me of an exciting discovery I made at a now closed restaurant that used to be right across the street from where Local Roots is now. Not quite as composed as the veggie nachos from the former Madcap Café but just as delicious.

Peppers, cucumbers, radishes, carrots, or whatever is seasonal is a preview for some of Local Roots’ CSA offerings and they are crisp, fresh, and taste like the vegetables they’re supposed to. And then to enhance those natural flavors, you can try two of their housemade dips. I went with their soy-kissed egg salad and a sweet-spicy spread of mashed sweet potatoes with brown butter and Szechuan peppercorns.

This is a great healthy, flavorful snack that reminds you how good vegetables can be and why we need to really focus on local, farm fresh produce. Sign me up!! Price: $8