CSA Share Ninja Rescue 2013: basil, peaches and peppers

Happy Monday -- the day we share the CSA Share Ninja Rescue, a weekly feature in which you tell me on Fridays what veg you got in your CSA share box (or found at the farmers' market) that you don't know what to do with and I'll give you a whole bunch of recipe ideas on the following Monday.


This week we're pleasing both coasts: west coast readers want help with an overabundance of peppers and peaches (we're jealous here in Vermont!) and east coasters have a glut of gorgeous green basil.

Basil

• Lemon-lime basil shortbread cookies: Tangy and crisp, these cookies taste like summer
• Classic pesto: Tried-and-true James Beard recipe -- try jazzing it up by subbing half the basil for arugula, too
• Basil jelly: Gorgeous color and delicate flavor -- so unique!
• Strawberry-basil gimlet: You know The Ninj had to sneak one booze recipe into the veggie mix

Peaches

• Peach and bean pasta: It may sound a little strange but it is an oh-so-yummy combination
• Peach cobbler: Described by one of The Ninj's followers as being "like angels are feeding you clouds of peach-flavoured unicorn tears." With an endorsement like that, how could you not try it?
• Blueberry-peach muffins: A lovely breakfast muffin that's perfect for this awesome summer fruit combination

Peppers

• Roasted red pepper cheese spread: Classier,  yummier pimento cheese -- awesome on paninis
• Washabinaros chili: Billed as "wasabi chili" with three kinds of hot peppers -- you've gotta try this
• Cilantro-serrano cream sauce: Cool and spicy, great as a dip or a topping for fish tacos

What's going on in your garden? Do you have tomatoes yet? Leave a comment: The Ninj wants to know.