Friday, October 5, 2012

HARVESTING TIME, EATING LOCAL FOODS

EATING LOCALLY TASTES GOOD,
FEELS GOOD,
IS GOOD.

AND NOW IS A PERFECT TIME TO BEGIN (OR CONTINUE!)
HERE AT WEALDEN (FROM OUR GREAT STATE OF MAINE), WE HAVE: 
tomatoes, brussel sprouts, artichokes, arugula, herbs, broccoli, carrots, potatoes, onions, garlic, squash, peppers, several varieties of squash and pumpkin, beets, radish cukes, leeks, eggplant, greens, lettuce, apples, dairy products including cheeses, milk, cream and butter, eggs, locally raised beef, pork, and chicken, beans, flour, oils, syrup, honey, freshly baked breads...
I'm sure I'm leaving some things out--come by and check it out. Our farm store welcomes you!

HAKUREI TURNIP
THE SCOOP:  "Hakurei are relatively new turnips that were developed in Japan in the ’50s when the country was suffering from severe food shortages due to World War II.  Their surprisingly delicate, almost fruity flavor and crunchy texture accounts for their popularity. They’re delicious raw, but if you can resist the urge to simply pop them in your mouth, try shaving them into salads or slaws along with thinly sliced apples or pears.  When cooked, they develop a buttery flavor and when roasted at high temperatures, their sweetness increases. The turnip tops are also tasty quickly sautéed with garlic in olive oil." from "Devour" the blog.

YES, RADISH STILL!
 WE HAVE THE MOST EXCITING VARIETY OF PEPPERS, SWEET AND HOT
 TENDER NUTRITIOUS BEETS--
I had some last eve sliced thinly, cold, served with arugula, sliced orange, and chevre, topped with a balsamic vinegarette, zam!

How about SWEET ITALIAN PEPPERS sauteed with SWEET ITALIAN SAUSAGE (from our meat section) added to a vodka pasta sauce served on linguine, topped with fresh parmesan?

 PRETTY COLORS, GREAT SHAPES!

Just a few reasons why it's great to eat local foods... spread the message!
-food from your "hood" put much less CO2 into the air with its' transport.
-patronizing nearby farms also supports green open spaces in your area--farms are susceptible to commercial development
-Buying your food from local producers also supports your local economy. Farmers take home about $.90 of each dollar.
-local food is better for you. It's fresher then what's transported across the globe to your mega mart. Supermarket produce is often picked a week before it's ripe and has to do its final ripening in transport. Local produce is often picked the day you take it home. Nutrients are preserved and the flavor is often more prominent.
-eating local and seasonal also supports variety in your diet and the food that farmers grow.
-the farmers(that's us) presence at the market bolsters your sense of community and also gives you a valuable resource that's absent from many supermarkets.

See you in the "hood" and on the hill!