Spring Produce

Good news for all the locavores! The Asparagus and Rhubarb are ready!
I bought both at two Penn Yan roadside stands today! Cream of Asparagus
Soup for dinner....

Trout for dinner

Yesterday's dinner was a real treat! Trout given to us by a good friend from the Cuba NY area and prepared by our son John! It was superb! The trout were really fresh tasting which I attribute not just to the chef, but also the way they were frozen. All of the trout were put into a bag of water and froze solid. It does take a day ahead in the fridge to thaw out, but so worth the wait!! There is a great website to help find places to fish near you. Check out http://www.great-lakes.org/fish_ny.html

Dandelion Greens!

Spring is really here! John picked Dandelion greens down the pasture lane today and enjoyed them for lunch. A little vinegar, minced garlic, and a nice dollop of homemade cultured butter on top! Wow! They were fantastic!!

Some Like It Raw

Very interesting article on the New York Magazine web site,Restaurants section: http://nymag.com/restaurants/features/65483/
Raw milk is gaining in popularity as the number of farms with permits to sell rose: 29 in New York (up from nineteen in 2007), and 100 in Pennsylvania (up from 35 in 2005).

Check out the article!

Chives

The chives are up! We had our first chives and potatoes last night! What a great way to liven up potatoes in the spring! I am very anxious for our first harvest of baby red potatoes, but in the meantime adding fresh minced chives is fantastic!

Finally

The seeds are up!! Pictured are my broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and kale seeds!

Peas!

What a huge surprise March and April have been, here in the Finger Lakes. John was able to prepare the garden over the Easter weekend. Usually we are well into May before this can happen. Today I planted heirloom Alaska Peas, two 44 ft. rows, with a chicken wire fence in between the two for climbing. Peas are my favorite vegetable and getting it done today was pretty exciting. I think I am going to try and plant a vegetable a day. Spinach, Chard, Onions, Lettuce, Radishes, and New Potatoes should all do well now. Well I have been told anyway. I have never planted this early and am really looking at this early spring as a sign of great gardening year ahead! :)

Food

Usually people who like to eat food, like to talk about food, cook food, shop for food, touch food, grow food, smell food, and lastly read about food! I found a book I wanted to share. I have not had a chance to purchase and read myself, but hope to very soon. -'The Town That Food Saved-How One Community Found Vitality In Local Food', by Ben Hewitt. Here is a link to read more about it, http://www.slowfoodusa.org/index.php/slow_food/blog_post/hardwick_vt_the_town_that_food_saved/ Now how about those two blog friends with food books of mine....how are you liking your books? Post me a comment....