Spring Sale at Inverbrook

It is my pleasure to announce that we will once again be celebrating the  talent of our local craft, art, food and plant community with a Spring Sale on Saturday, April 20th from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.  Many of the diverse and creative artisans from the Holiday Sale will be returning with their spring inspired wares. 

In honor of Earth Day and the spring season we will be adding a mini-plant sale out on the porch.  I am particularly please that  native plant guru Dale Hendricks and his latest enterprise Green Light Plants will be joining the line up. Dale's new company truly embodies the spirit of Earth Day, click here to read all about his guiding pricipals.  If you would like to "pre-order" plants from Green Light Plants you can contact them directly and they will bring your order to the sale on April 20th.

To round out the mini-plant sale, I will be selling potting soil from Organic Mechanics Soil Company and whatever products Happy Cat Farm still has left after the much anticipated 2013 Philly Farm and Food Festival.  Flower CSA Three Birds Bouquet will also be keeping me company out on the porch.  We will both be selling CSA shares for Inverbrook Farm Vegetable CSA and the Three Bird Bouquet Flower CSA.  Three Birds will also be selling potted plants. 

I will be writing more about the other amazing participants during the coming week.  In the meantime check out the complete line up below.

Celebrate the coming of spring and Earth Day with Inverbrook Farm at our Spring Sale on Saturday, April 20th from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.  

 * Arden & James 

 * Ardeinheim Clayworks Studio: Dan Ody & Pam Lau

 * Bessie Handmade: Aprons, Bags, and Accessories

 

* Chansonette Flowers & Art

 

* Green Light Plants 

 * Happy Cat Farm

* Heirloom Jewelry & Accessories (also featuring the folk carvings of Gordon Swenarton)

* Inverbrook Farm CSA

* Kennett Brewing Company 
* Logical Living

* Dan McShane

* Nomadic Pies

* Organic Mechanic Soil Company

* Philabucks

* Talula's Table

* Three Birds Bouquet

* U Bee Well

* Vidalia's Vintage

Writing for Town Dish-An exciting new opportunity

I realize its been a while since I last updated my blog.  Two factors have been keeping me from regular blog posting.  First, my farming duties.  Despite the cold dreary weather, I have been starting seeds.  The second factor, equally as exciting, is that I have started writing for the Town Dish, a great resource for local food and drink news.  I am very thankful for the opportunity to share my locavore themed stories with the Dish readers.  My two first articles are all about the upcoming Philly Farm and Food Fest.  You can read all about the Fest and its newly added Local Libations Lounge in the two articles below. 

-Philly Farm & Food Fest: Preparing for a Second Year of Success

-Local Libations Lounge to be Added to Philly Farm and Food Fest

-Philly Farm and Food Fest Fosters the Farmer in All of Us

Click here to view a facebook album from last year's Philly Farm and Food Fest.

Take Up Your Spade-links for aspiring farmers

 

February marks my yearly pilgrimage to the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture's (PASA) Farming for the Future Conference.  The conference is always an inspiration and I will blog more about this amazing event in the near future. What struck me this year, is the number of first timers to the conference, which is an encouraging fact.  We need more people joining the good food movement. 

 

If you have an interest in farming I want to urge you to begin it now or at least start exploring the idea.  As Becky Krestschmann, one of the winners of Sustainable Ag Leadership Award given at this year's PASA conference, said in her acceptance speech (Becky and her husband Don have a very large CSA outside of Pittsburgh, PA)

 

"You can not think your way into a new way of living, you must live your way into a new way of thinking"

 

The amount of information and resources that is now available to aspiring farmers is yet another hopeful sign.  The movement is growing and support is growing, to quote the Sara Watkin's song from the video above "take up your spade and break ground."

 

Below I have listed a number of links that new and want-to-be farmers might find helpful:  

 

• Penn State Extension Start Farming News
• Exploring the Small Farm Dream Course
• ATTRA
• PASA's Farm-Based Education
• The Rodale Institute
• Tri-State CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training)
• CRAFT Beginning Farmer Resource Page
• Farm Lease Connection (facebook page)

and for those who just want to start a backyard garden or increase their homesteading skills:

Greener Partners Lost Arts Series

Good Food Neighborhood Sustainability School Schedule

One Day Backyard Permaculture Class at Longwood Gardens (early April 2013)

Take Up Your Spade
 

Sun is up, a new day is before you

Sun is up, wake your sleepy soul

Sun is up, hold on to what is home

Take up your spade and break ground

 

Shake off your shoes, leave yesterday behind you

Shake off your shoes, but forget not where you've been

Shake off your shoes, forgive and be forgiven

Take up your spade and break ground

 

Give thanks for all that you've been given

Give thanks for who you can become

Give thanks for each moment and every crumb

Take up your spade and break ground

 

Break ground

Break ground

Break ground



Fighting the Late Winter Blues-Freesia and Citrus

I have to admit this time of year can be a little frustrating--stuck between winter and the knowledge that Spring is just around the corner, I get antsy.  I long for warm weather and spring, however I know it will bring with it a lot of hard work and an end to my winter socializing.  Its hard to find balance and contentment during this transition time.  The days are getting longer, bulbs are popping through the semi-frozen ground; yet it is still a little too early to be doing much outdoor garden preparation.  The drab landscape can seem a little depressing and the weather can be positively schizophrenic.  

 

There is however a very bright, colorful and wonderful smelling up side to mid-February--the magnificent Freesias from Barnard's Orchards (click here to view facebook album of freesia).    In fact this is my favorite time to visit the area orchard stores like Glenn Willow and Barnard's Orchard.  Their shelves are stocked with autumn harvested apples, flowers from local greenhouse like Rosazza's and delicious citrus.  Obviously the citrus is not grown locally, however our local orchard managers seem particular skilled at picking out the most delicious varieties.  Winter is the season for citrus and below are a number of links to citrus recipes and information. Like the bright pastels of freesia, the citrus can provide the same sort of antedote to the winter dolmdrums--some much needed excitement, the culinary balance to the visual beauty of the winter greenhouse flowers.  Sweet, juicy and full of vitamin C; what could be a better late winter pick me up. Enjoy our local orchards, winter flowers and the magic of winter citrus.

Food52 Down and Dirty Citrus

 

Food52 Down and Dirty Tiny Citrus

Everybody loves the Sunshine Citrus Salad

 

12 Citrus Inspired Dinners from Food Republic

 

Food In Jars Air Dried Lemon Peel

More Food In Jars Links to Citrus (and chiles and winter soups)

 

 

  

 

 

Cheese, Flowers and Fruit-Additional Share Options at Inverbrook

For the last couple of years we have been pleased to offer a number of CSA (community supported agriculture) options from nearby farms in addition to our own vegetable CSA.  These options include cheese from HillacresPride, fruit from North Star Orchard and flowers from Three Bird Bouquets.  If you want to increase your consumption of local food and flowers, I strongly suggest you check out the links to the various farms and CSA options.  By the time mid-summer rolls around you can fill your kitchen with local vegetables, herbs, fruit, cheeses and flowers with just one simple visit to Inverbrook Farm each week.  Plus you will be supporting four local family farms with just one trip.  If you are looking for the perfect Valentines or birthday present for the locavore in your life, consider one or all of these options.  Not only will you be giving the gift of delicious cheese, fruit and beautiful flowers, you will be contributing to a strong local agricultural community.

 

You do NOT have to be an Inverbrook CSA member to pick up any of the various CSA options, although they complement each other very well.  These farms all make their deliveries on Wednesdays (the flowers are also delivered on Mondays and the cheese can last through until Monday) throughout the season; however the frequency, start and end dates are all different for each of the farms represented.  I encourage you to explore the links below and learn about the diverse and delicious CSA choices:

• Three Bird Bouquets Flower Share

• Hillacres Pride Cheese Share  

• North Star Orchard Fruit Share  

I want to do a little extra push for the delicious Hillacres Pride cheese shares because we need a minimum of 15 shares to make their delivery to the farm worth while.  Here are two links/reviews about Hillacres: 

Madame Formage Blog posting on Puddle Creek Cheese

Harvest Market Natural Foods Blog

I hope you will consider joining one or more of these farm options.  When late summer arrives and you are able to pair that amazing tasting apple from North Star Orchard with an aged cheddar from Hillacres Pride all made more enjoyable with the presence of a beautiful Three Bird Bouquet filled with sunflowers, zinnias and fragrant tuber roses--you we be happy that you took advantage of this opportunity.

A Fresh New Start-A Simple Path to Logical Living

Photo by Kelly G

With the first month of the New Year coming to a close, I thought it would be an appropriate time to share a number of interesting links about starting fresh as it pertains to cooking, diet and the importance of the food you eat.  From detoxing your body to decluttering your kitchen; my recent news feed roaming has unearthed a wealth of useful advice.  A pathway to health, happiness and sustainability through simple lifestyle changes.  I hope these links will inspire positive action.  There are still a few days left to sign up for the 2013 CSA season and receive a $50 early bird discount (if you sign up before the end of the month).  To quote Oprah Winfrey “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”

SIMPLE DETOXING:

A great link from one of my favorite new blogs My NewRoots.  This is blog author Sarah B’scontribution to Martha Stuart’s Whole Living Magazine

NPR link on adding detoxifying food to your diet

ORGANIZING YOUR KITCHEN:

Great series from Food52

Decluttering your Kitchen

Whipping your Kitchen Back to Shape Part 1

Whipping your Kitchen Back to Shape Part 2 (includes knife sharpening, proper cleaning of an iron skillet and a few more useful videos and tutorials)

On a related note, a great piece on streamlining your time in the kitchen with the use of tools and meal planning from the blog Keeper of the Home.

SIMPLE CHANGES:

In my blog wanderings I came across Healthy Green Kitchen and a series on simple steps one can take to improve one's life called "One Simple Change". I like this concept of little steps that can add up to make a big difference.  The most recent issue of Fine Cooking Magazine included an article on the addition of vegetable purees to favorites like macaroni and cheese, breads, etc.. This simple step can greatly reduce the calorie count and increase the nutritional value of these dishes without compromising the taste.  Good health can be delicious.

If you are reading the farm blog, you probably already have made some sort of commitment toward increasing your consumption of local food, and you should feel great about the change.  The pledge to “Buy Fresh, Buy Local” can have a big impact, you can read all about it here on the FoodRoutes Website.

Speaking of making a positive impact, a veteran Inverbrook Farm CSA member has started a new web-based project Logical Living.  You can go to this site and complete a free online lifestyle assessment by answering a simple set of questions about your lifestyle habits.  Based on your answers, Logical Living will make recommendations related to small steps that you can make to “green” your life. Click here to read a recent article about being a member of Inverbrook Farm CSA.

Enjoy the links and the fresh start. 

Kennett Winterfest-Beer Drinking for the Hearty

I feel like I dedicate a large proportion of my blog posts to waxing poetic about the spirited small town of Kennett Square.  How can I NOT feature this charming little borough with its vibrant downtown, home to the much acclaimed Talula’s Table.  A town whose international claim to fame is being the mushroom capital of the world AND, drum roll please… hosts not one, but two Brewfests.  That is right, February 2013 marks the inaugural run of the winter brew festival a.k.a. The First Annual Kennett Winterfest February 23rd from 12:30-4PM.   Modeled after the highly successful fall Brewfest, this beer drinking extravaganza for only the most passionate beer lovers, will be a much more intimate and potentially colder experience.  This outdoor beer festival with over 25 brewers and just 800 available tickets, is sure to sell out.  In fact there are only about 200 tickets left, so get them while you can—click here for ticket information.  For a complete list of participating breweries and the beers they are bringing along check out the Brewfest Blog-with all the latest festival information. 

Along with the alcohol content of many of the Winterfest beers (make sure you have a designated driver lined up), the Winterfest organizers have come up with several ways to keep you warm and happy.   The ticket price includes a delicious hearty meal from the aforementioned much acclaimed Talula's Table.  You can also groove your way to warmth with the fun and recognizable tunes of the Shady Groove Trio. 

Band member Matt Kresge sent me this bio regarding his band:

The Shady Groove Trio came about in 2009 when 3 musicians, tired of hearing the same hackneyed rock tunes played nightly by mediocre bands in various bars, went on a mission to bring good quality music back to the local bar and club scene. Bassist/Vocalist Bernie Gillespie, Guitarist/Vocalist Matt Kresge, and Drummer/Vocalist Mark Swartley strive to play the classic tunes we've all grown to love, yet have unfortunately been left behind by the repetitiveness and predictability of today's radio. The likes of Chuck Berry, Paul Simon, The Who, The Police, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Hall & Oates, Johnny Cash, and even classic surf instrumentals are all fair game at a Shady Groove Trio show. In addition to their vast repertoire, it is the trio's musicianship that sets them apart from other local acts.

Drummer Mark Swartley has played professionally for years and continues to be sought out by some of Philadelphia's finest live acts, including an extensive touring resume with rockabilly favorites, The Razorbacks. Guitarist Matt Kresge continues to impress audiences with his diverse and energetic playing that won him 'Best Guitarist' at the 2005 Emergenza Festival held in Philadelphia. Backed with Gillespie's impressive vocal range and driving bass, The Shady Groove Trio is guaranteed to get your feet moving!

Although the lighting and the background noise leaves a bit to be desired, you can get a sense of Shady Groove's talent in this youtube video cover of "She's So Cold".

So there you have it-great beer, music, food and people--what better way to spend a winter afternoon. Best of all the festival is a fundraiser for Historic Kennett Square and its programs like the Kennett Farmers Market. Hope to see you at Winterfest.

A Healthy Start to the New Year--sign up for a CSA share

Photo by Kelly G

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

With the first week of the new year coming to a close, I hope you are feeling good about your resolutions for 2013.  If healthy eating is first and foremost on your new to do list, may I suggest signing up for the 2013 Inverbrook Farm CSA season. There is no better incentive for adding fresh local vegetables to your diet than to make the financial commitment now for a growing season's supply of vegetables.  Considering the CSA pick does not start until June, this up front fee will help you keep your goal long into the year. As a reward, the cost of a 2013 CSA share will be discounted $50 until January 31st. If you need a pictorial incentive for joining the CSA- a visual taste of the season yet to come-check out this facebook album of vegetables from the 2012 CSA season.   Perhaps these great seasonal healthy recipes from Food52 will inspire a healthy change in diet. 

Photo by Kelly G

Along with the chance for a new start, one of my favorite aspects of transitioning from one year to another is that it provides an opportune moment to look both forward and reflect on the past. Its always enlightening to read about past and future food/health trends.  Below I have complied a list of links that further explore this subject.  I find it especially heartening that the interest in local, artisanal food as well as a push to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables--seems stronger than ever. Enjoy the links and best wishes for the New Year.

Huffington Post 2013 Food Trends

Forbes Food Technology Trends that Have Gone Mainstream

NPR's the Salt-Drinks, Diets and Meat Hits of 2012 and Predictions for 2013

NPR's the Salt-Restaurant Forecast Food for 2013

Photo by Kelly G

Winter Solstice 2012-Celebrate the Sun

"The Sun, the hearth of affection and life, pours burning love on the delighted earth."
—Arthur Rimbaud (1854–1891)

Happy Winter Solstice!  It is the shortest day of the year.   A day to celebrate the fact that from now until June, the days will increasingly be getting longer.  We will all be exposed to more and more sunlight.  It feels like we need a little more sunlight in our lives right now.  I will save the rants and reflections for another post in the near future.  It has been an intense Fall to say the least, and right now I simply want to revel in the joy that sunlight brings to us all.  Author and radio commentator Thom Hartmann writes

“In a very real sense, we're all made out of sunlight.

Sunlight radiating heat, visible light, and ultraviolet light is the source of almost all life on Earth. Everything you see alive around you is there because a plant somewhere was able to capture sunlight and store it. All animals live from these plants, whether directly (as with herbivores) or indirectly (as with carnivores, which eat the herbivores). This is true of mammals, insects, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and bacteria . . . everything living. Every life-form on the surface of this planet is here because a plant was able to gather sunlight and store it, and something else was able to eat that plant and take that sunlight energy in to power its body.”

In a very poetic moment Happy Cat Farmer Tim wrote:

“Tomatoes are sunlight, held together by skin and seeds”

2012 was an amazing tomato year.  I have been looking through pictures from the past season.   I have a lot of tomato pictures, and after close inspection, I totally agree with Tim, tomatoes ARE sunlight, held together by skin and seeds.  If you click on the picture below you can view an album of tomato pictures from this past season.

I leave you with Mary Oliver’s poem The Sun—I guess I can’t help including a tiny bit of rant and reflection—at least it is in poetry form.  Enjoy the solstice, celebrate the sun.

The Sun

Have you ever seen
anything
in your life
more wonderful

than the way the sun,
every evening,
relaxed and easy,
floats toward the horizon

and into the clouds or the hills,
or the rumpled sea,
and is gone--
and how it slides again

out of the blackness,
every morning,
on the other side of the world,
like a red flower

streaming upward on its heavenly oils,
say, on a morning in early summer,
at its perfect imperial distance--
and have you ever felt for anything
such wild love--
do you think there is anywhere, in any language,
a word billowing enough
for the pleasure

that fills you,
as the sun
reaches out,
as it warms you

as you stand there,
empty-handed--
or have you too
turned from this world--

or have you too
gone crazy
for power,
for things?

Healthy Holiday Gift Giving--Inspire the Magic of a Garden

As I have written about before, there is great power in your purchasing power.  Food activist Frances Moore Lappe writes, “Every aspect of our lives is, in a sense, a vote for the kind of world we want to live in.” One option is to give gifts related to gardening.  Gardening can inspire complete health- a mind, body and spirit approach to wellness.   There are two wonderful local companies that provide amazing products related to starting your own garden:

Happy Cat Farm a fantastic heirloom seed source
and
Green Heron Tools farming and gardening tools for woman

Green Heron tools are currently offering some useful Holiday Gift Collections and you can learn more about the story behind Happy Cat's seeds on this episode of WHYY's great program Friday Arts.

If the recipient of your gifts has neither the time nor the space for a garden, perhaps a CSA share is a good option (yes, this a shameless plug for an Inverbrook Farm CSA share).  We are currently taking members for the 2013 CSA season.  Click here for more information about Inverbrook Farm CSA.  Click on the picture below to view a slideshow sampling of the delicious healthful produce available in a CSA share.  Happy Gift Giving!

Chansonette Flowers & Art and Chadds Ford Greenhouses-a hidden gem for any plant lover

The Brandywine Valley is filled with amazing resources for any type of plant lover.  One such lesser known gem is Chadds Ford Greenhouses and the space they share with Chansonette Flowers & Art.  Chansonette is the floral design enterprise of the extremely talented artist Anne Eder. For many years Chansonette was housed in the borough of Kennett Square.  Anne's stamp on Kennett is still very evident in the enchanting decorations and floral displays she has created for the Library, Talula's Table and more.  It was Anne's close relationship with Talula's that first brought me to the wondrous greenhouse space known as Chadds Ford Greenhouses, as they paired up to hosted a Cheese Tasting and Orchid sale in this magical space.  Chansonette currently occupies a corner of one of the large greenhouses at Chadds Ford Greenhouses. 

Chansonette display within Chadds Ford Greenhouses

Words cannot do justice to this breathtaking horticultural display.  I could spend hours exploring the ever changing menagerie of plants, pottery, greenhouse rooms, props and ephemera.  It is as if you stepped into a story book magic garden or gotten the keys to the staff-only greenhouses at Longwood. The monolithic glass greenhouses are filled with all kinds of diverse floral treasures. Enormous cactus and agave provide a sense of antiquity and permanence; the perfect backdrop to a variety of smaller plant specimens all available for purchase.  While Chansonette's corner highlights succulents, orchards, air plants and some of the stranger displays the plant world has to offer; the rest the greenhouses feature a more traditional array of seasonally appropriate plants.  I encourage you to click through the facebook album from a recent visit to the greenhouses to get a better picture of the true diversity of the plants that are available from this garden center. 

 

If you still have holiday decorating to do or want to give the gift of plants, I cannot recommend enough a visit to this oasis just off of rt. 1 between Chadds Ford and Painters Crossing.  The vibrant displays of color along with the richly fragrant humid air is a great respite from the winter doldrums-like a trip to the tropics without leaving the area.  The selection of seasonal favorites like cyclamen, Christmas cactus or amaryllis all have the potential for a last minute fairly inexpensive holiday hostess gift. 



Christmas Cactus

If you are in need of a gift for the person who has everything perhaps an air plant ( Tillandsias ) would work.  They are very popular right now. I have to admit that I am addicted to these low maintenance little creatures.  Chansonette has a really nice selection available, including some beautiful Tillandsia "arrangements and ornaments" available on their Etsy Site.  Although online shopping is convenient I also strongly encourage you to treat yourself to a visit to this paradise in our backyard.  Your deserve it.  Happy plant buying. 



Tillandsias on the windowsill

2012 Inverbrook Holiday Sale

 

We are so pleased to be once again hosting the Inverbrook Farm Holiday Sale.  It really is an honor to present such a diverse group of talented local artisians; offering up the antidote to generic holiday gift giving.  I could spend a full blog post on each one of the participants; explaining their connection to the farm, community, their committment to sustainability, etc...instead I encourage you to click through the links below and explore their unique products and meaningful business models on your own.

 

There are three participants I would like to highlight, because they will provide a level of engagement beyond just buying products. The first is the Head and the Hand Press, the brain child of writer and urban farm activist Nic Esposito.  Through a recent kickstarter campaign, Nic and one of his partners Kerry Boland, have opened a Philadelphia based workshop space for writers interested in self publishing.  They are currently taking writing submissions for their newest project--the Rust Belt Rising Almanac.  If you are an aspiring writer or just want to talk about the creative community in Philadelphia, come on out to chat with Nic and Kerry.

The next participant I want to highlight is Dustin Eirdosh.  Once a member of our extented farm family through his work at Buck Run Farm, Dustin has returned to the area for the holidays.  In a rambling but romantic story--Dustin, while studying meat policy issues at a German university, fell in love with a German student, followed her to Madagascar and they are now engaged!  Dustin has recently set up the non-profit called Edu-Futures Madagascar-bringing computers and an integrated science, appropriate technology and enterprise curriculum to the school students of Madagascar.  Dustin will be selling spices and crafts from this beautiful and exotic country to raise money for his new non-profit. 

The last vendor I would like to feature is an Inverbrook Farm CSA member, Tobi Quinlin.  This summer Tobi set up a resource rich website Logical Living, intended to make an eco-friendly lifestyle all the more simple depending on your particular habits.  Tobi will be on hand to answer questions about how you can reduce your carbon footprint, promote the website and sell some useful ecologically minded stocking stuffers.

I hope these three short descriptions have peaked your interest and you will make it out to the farm for the sale (it is located in the big stone house at the end of the paved driveway, right before the horse barn).  Come pick up some amazing locally grown and handmade gifts for everyone on your list. Featuring one-of-a-kind stuffed animals, cheerful aprons and bags, locally published books, artisan jewelry, hand-carved folk art, handmade wrapping paper and note cards, moisturizing lip balms, beautifully-curated vintage housewares, and eco-friendly stocking stuffer essentials. And don't forget your favorite foodies... local honey, dried herbs and rubs, and seasonal sweet and savory pies. Stop by the farm this Saturday, 1-6 p.m.!

Ring in the holidays and shop for exceptional locally grown and handmade gifts this season!
Featuring:

* Arden and James

* Bessies Handmade: Bags, Aprons and Accessories

* Edu-Futures Madgascar

* Happy Cat Farm

* Head and the Hand Press

* Heirloom Jewlery and Accessories (also featuring the folk carvings of Gordon Swenarton)

* Logical Living

* Dan McShane

* Nomadic Pies

* Sunbear Apiary

* U Bee Well

* Vidalia's Vintage

This Week's Share-Sunchokes, Sweet Potatoes and more Radishes

Its been almost a month since I posted on the blog.  The end of September and beginning of October are always filled with fun events, good weather and the need to prepare the garden for the first frost/freeze that will kill off the summer vegetables and officially usher in the final weeks of the CSA. It is a time of year I have come to love. The ability to enjoy being outside while realizing that winter rest is soon to come, gives many farmers an amazing sense of peace (and sometimes a little sadness as the season winds down).   The lessening work load enables one to savor the turning leaves, the relatively mild weather, and the all around beautiful of Chester County fall landscape.  So basically that is my excuse for not sitting in front of the computer more often and offering up recipe ideas and uses for your share vegetables;)  

 

Last Friday's serious frost/freeze put a very abrupt end to any sensitive vegetables, flowers and herbs; thus making that final transition to the last of the CSA season vegetables.  Your share will now be made up of only the hardier greens and roots or items that store well.  With just two more weeks of the season left, the shorter days and cold frosty mornings will give me plenty of time in the office in front of my computer screen--and I will once again be inundating you with musings and rambles.  Until then I have a few recipe ideas for this week's share.

This week's share includes:
The last of the Peppers
The last of the Green Tomatoes
Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes
The last of the Winter Squash
Sunchokes
Arugula
Radishes

Women's Health 10 Healthy Sweet Potato recipes

Food and Wine Arugula and Asian Pear recipe

Roasted Radish Recipe

Martha Stewart's Radish Recipe Links

The Kitchn's piece on Sunchokes, includes some recipe links

Fermentation Festival-Meet the Makers

Not a season, month or really week goes by that I do not feel completely blessed to live near the culinary dream town of Kennett Square.  I love this vibrant little borough so much I posted a love letter to Kennett Square on my blog a couple of years ago-complete with a facebook album of my favorite Kennett moments.  The "mushroom capital of the world" is full of delicious treats thanks to places like the Country Butcher,  the Mushroom cap, La Michoacana ice cream and nationally renowned Talula's Table.  Autumn is particularly rich in food and drink celebrations; a time when busy Kennett Square hosts the Mushroom Festival, the sold-out Brew Fest, and my personal favorite the Fermentation Festival. 

Now in its fourth year the Fermentation Festival-a project of the Kennett Square Farmers Market-will take place this Friday, October 28th from 2-6PM at the Kennett Square Farmers Market (just off of State Street).  From bread to beer, coffee to wine, cheese to local spirits, kimchi to kombucha, sauerkraut and pickles--fermentation enhances our lives and palates in all kinds of delicious and healthful ways.  Come celebrate these magical and effervescent processes at the festival this Friday.

In addition to the delicious ferments, how-to's and regularly available fresh and local produce, an exciting new "course" in fermentation will also occur this Friday from 4:30 to 8PM in conjunction with the Festival.  "Meet The Makers" is a collaboration between the Kennett Square Farmers' Market, Historic Kennett Square's Brewfest and Talula's Table focusing on the delights of fermented products.  Samplings of local cheeses, brews, wines, spirits, and ciders will be offered from 4:30 to 8:00 pm in the Brick Alleyway off East State Street, alongside La Verona Restaurant.  Local cheesemakers and craft beverage artisans will talk about their creations.  Participants will also have the opportunity to socialize, relax and enjoy live music by local favorites Scott Birney and Steve Hobson of the Sin City Band. 

 

Inform your palates about all the wonderful products that are brewing up right in our very own backyard. $10 tickets for the "Meet The Makers" are available at the gate on Friday or prepuce online at http://www.kennettbrewfest.com/makers.html

 "Meet the Makers" Event Details 

Where: Brick alleyway adjacent to La Verona restaurant (directly across from the Farmers' Market, next to the "Flash")

When: Friday, September 28th, 4:30-8:00pm

What: Taste and chat with the artisans while sampling local food and drink craft: cheese, brews, wines, spirits & cider.

Featuring Tastings by:

Amazing Acres Goat Dairy

Art in The Age Spirits

Argilla Brewing Company

Birchrun Hills Farm

Doe Run Dairy

Flickerwood Wine Cellars

Frecon Farm Cider

Highland Sheep Farm

Forest and Main Brewers

Meadowset Farm & Apiary

Pike Creek Roasters

 

Quaker City Mercantile - Spodee Wine

Round Guys Brewery

Yellow Springs Goat Dairy

Al fresco flights of local cheese paired with seasonal accoutremants by Talula's Table  

 

Hope to see you Friday enjoying the magic of fermentation.