Tag Archives: farmer’s markets

Use Up the CSA Dinner

Posted on May 17, 2013 by AnnieRie

In honor of Food Revolution Day, which is today. I have collected quite a few of Jamie Oliver’s cookbooks over the years, and like his approach to getting people to cook. I decided tonight to share a favorite “recipe” in order to take part (unofficially) in the festivities surrounding this global event.

Anyone who regularly reads my blog knows I love to cook. I enjoy doing new things with my CSA and farmer’s market finds, and we eat mostly home cooked made from scratch meals.

This is an easy favorite for us. One pan pasta “primavera”.

You need whatever veggies look good to you that could be roasted. This time I used kale, spinach, spring onions, red onion, diced red potato and TLV Tree Farm uncured bacon. I made the entire package of bacon over the weekend. In the oven, then put away to use. It probably made its way into five or six meals. For this recipe I used four slices, cut into square pieces. I just put all the veggies on a foil lined pan, drizzle with olive oil, add salt and pepper and oregano. Put in a 300 degree oven for about 45 minutes, in order to get the onions and potato done.

Just before dinner I put four ounces of mixed pasta on to cook, and took out some pesto from the freezer, and those marinated mushrooms I made last week. Here is that recipe on Hunter Angler Gardener Cook.

I only have one more container of pesto in the freezer. Can’t wait for garlic scapes to come in, so I can start restocking for next winter. I had some greens left from the Burtonsville Market.

This is what dinner looked like. My husband’s plate. Filling, good, easy to throw together, with about two slices of bacon as the meat in this dish.

Pastas are simple standby meals around here. Tomato sauce or pesto from the freezer. A small amount of protein. Lots of veggies, either steamed or roasted. And, for us on a Tuesday night, it emptied the fridge of CSA veggies to make room for the Wednesday pick up.

hocofood@@@

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Abbondanza – Spring Veggies Abound

Posted on May 15, 2013 by AnnieRie

CSA Week Eleven from Breezy Willow, a visit to Miller Library market and strawberries from Gorman. Who needs grocery stores in spring and summer around here?

We got:
Tuscan kale
Three beets (one is hidden)
Romaine (weighs two pounds)
Three pounds sweet potatoes
Half pound shiitake mushrooms
One pound green beans
One pound Brussels sprouts
One pound bean sprouts ( not there, I swapped)

My swap got me three more of those lovely grapefruit. Bread the Great Harvest White. This has become our favorite toast for breakfast. Reminds my husband of English muffins when toasted.

And, last but not least, those lovely eggs. This was the last delivery of eggs for early bird CSA.

I also picked up peach yogurt, Great Harvest croutons for salads and some chicken legs.

Before hitting the CSA I stopped at Miller Library market to get a few things. Like curry to use with the chicken.

Fresh veggies from Love Dove to pair with the strawberries. French breakfast radishes and arugula. I know, I know, there are holes in the leaves. I like seeing holes in the leaves. It means no bug died from chomping on pesticide infested veggies. If you want fresh veggies that haven’t been treated, look for holes or bugs (like corn with little happy worms).

Organic practices. Many of our local farms follow organic practices and give you fresher than grocery store items that aren’t treated or sprayed. For less money most of the time, too.

Got my feta for the salad from Bowling Green. Was looking for short ribs from TLV but will have to wait until Glenwood on Saturday.

Between the farm stands, markets and CSAs in Howard County, you can eat quite well using grocery stores for just a few staples.

Today while out, I did a loop. I had errands in Columbia so I hit Wegmans for coffee, lemons and limes, paper goods, and shrimp. Stopped at Gorman to check out the farm and get some berries. Headed up 29 and hit Miller library before continuing out to Breezy Willow. I have all I need for the vast majority of our meals, using locally sourced items.

Salads. Meats. Stir Fry. Side dishes. Dairy (now that Misty Meadows is at the county markets). Cheese. All readily available and really fresh.

Now, what am I going to make with these lovely shiitakes?

hocofood@@@

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Posted in CSA, Farmer's Markets, Farms, Food, GGSAC, Local Businesses, Locavore, Real Food and tagged CSA, farmer's markets, farms, Food, Howard County, Locavore, real food, wegman's. Bookmark the permalink.

Strawberries at Gorman Farm Today

Posted on May 15, 2013 by AnnieRie

I stopped by Gorman Farm today to say hi to Dave and check out the strawberries. I will have a long farm report in a few weeks once the farm stand opens but pick your own strawberries just began yesterday.

Check their facebook page to see what days they will have strawberries. Dave told me they might not be open some days to allow for more ripening for the weekend. There was a steady stream of visitors at 2 pm when I was there.

I didn’t pick today as I didn’t have the time to stay, and I would rather enlist my helper aka my better half to make picking go quicker. I did manage to pick up a pre-picked pint to use in a few salads since we got lots of greens in the CSA. Eight of them didn’t make it home though. This is what’s left when I got there.

So much better tasting than those institutional strawberries at the supermarket. As for other HoCo farms with berries, not ready yet. TLV Tree Farm told me maybe two weeks. Larriland also isn’t open. Their web site says something about late May. Cold weather will do that to you.

hocofood@@@

Early Bird CSA Week Ten …

Posted on May 8, 2013 by AnnieRie

… the drowning in greens week is here. In a good way, though.

Lots of greens in this week’s selection at Breezy Willow. We got:

half pound salad mix
one bunch rainbow chard
one pound spinach
radishes with greens attached
Zucchini (which I swapped for more radishes)
Asparagus
Spring onions
Three pounds red potatoes

Plus, I picked Great Harvest White Bread this week, and got my dozen eggs.

If that wasn’t enough, I stopped by Miller Library today for Thai foods and cheese, and was swayed into buying this peppery lovely arugula from Love Dove.

You can tell it isn’t sprayed or treated. Those little chomps by insects. I would rather have greens with holes than greens full of pesticides.

With all the greens that came today, I had to use up the kale from last week, as well as the chard from Burtonsville. So, I made a frittata.

A kitchen sink frittata. Throw everything in the cast iron skillet. First, onions, garlic and chard stems. Followed by kale and chard. Add eggs with parmesan, chicken stock, salt and pepper. Let it cook a few minutes then finish in the oven. Served with a mixed green salad and CSA supplied grapefruit.

It does look like we will be eating lots of stir fries and salads this week.

Lovely greens.

hocofood@@@

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Posted in CSA, Farmer's Markets, Farms, Food, Howard County, Local Businesses, Locavore and tagged cooking, CSA, farmer's markets, Food, foodie, hoco loco, Howard County, local businesses, Locavore. Bookmark the permalink.

Opening Day Tomorrow!

Posted on May 7, 2013 by AnnieRie

Yes, the Howard County Farmers Markets open tomorrow at Miller Library at 2 pm. The first of five straight days of producer only markets. Three are at libraries. One at the hospital and one at a village center.

I have been going to our county markets since they first opened. Back when our local market was on Cedar Lane at the church. Of course, back then I also hit Clarks Farm produce stand on the way home, too.

There is nothing like freshly picked fruit and veggies, or fresh meat and dairy. It looks like we are getting a creamery back into the market to replace South Mountain leaving us. That means fresh milk.

I will be blogging about each market. I really intend to hit all five of them if I can, in their first two weeks of being open, just to see what they are offering this year.

Even though the weather is rainy and grey, spring is definitely here when the markets open.

Buy local. Support our MD, VA and PA farms in our surrounding area.

This year it looks like they are expanding to include producers of other items. I am intrigued to check out the Thai vendor.

And, of course, to get my Stone House Bakery fix.

See you there?

hocoblogs@@@

Burtonsville Farmer’s Market

Posted on May 5, 2013 by AnnieRie

Today we drove down to see what farmers are participating in the Burtonsville market. It is new this year, and started just two weeks ago. There were four farms today selling veggies, one selling meat and eggs, one selling sub sandwiches, one selling olive oil and Atwater’s selling bread. There were also local artisans selling candles, jewelry and other items. I was focused on the farms and didn’t check out the artisans.

Not tremendously crowded but there was a line for bread, and one for the fresh strawberries from one of the farms in Virginia. I had to get some.

The strawberries and asparagus were from Crazy Farm, in Warsaw VA. The chard and greens from Over the Mountain in Boonsboro, MD.

I also splurged on half of a Dark and Stormy Cake from Atwater’s. To serve for dessert tonight. An old neighbor is coming to enjoy the first of the lamb we got two weeks ago from England Acres.

Sausage from Orchard Breeze, too. We did talk to them about turkeys. They are considering doing parts as well as whole turkeys in the future.

If you live in the southern end of Howard County, this market is really quite close to you. Maybe five miles from Maple Lawn and Fulton. Using the back roads, it is 12 miles from us.

Remember, this week the Howard County Markets open. Look for lots of greens to be there. I can’t believe how beautiful the spring onions are, at the markets. I love throwing these on the grill and basting them with olive oil.

Here’s to six months of farm fresh goodness!

hocofood@@@

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Co-Inky-Dinks (or Coincidences)

Posted on May 4, 2013 by AnnieRie

Last night I happened to open Twitter to see the Beard Foundation publication tweets coming fast and furious. Just in time to see a blog I have used to find venison recipes win the individual blog award. Hank Shaw writes this blog. You should check it out.

Hunter Angler Gardener Cook. This is one amazing blog if you are looking for food cooked well, from fresh ingredients. His fish and game recipes are my “go to first” recipes when I get something good at the markets. Or, that lovely venison.

Besides, where else can you find wild boar, bear, and um, squirrel recipes. Seriously. You should visit it and read some of his outside the box recipes. Including his veggie ones. Like the one with salsify.

We got salsify a year ago in our CSA. I have been looking for it ever since. I want to try this croquette. I made fritters the last time.

I just tried this mushroom recipe today. I will be reporting on the results when I finally get to taste them. I used my cremini from the CSA. Just enough to make a small jar.

Tomorrow I am heading over to Burtonsville to check out their new market. Orchard Breeze will be there. Maybe rabbit or duck will make its way to my menu, and I can use this great blog as inspiration. Who needs cookbooks when you can use great blogs?

hocofood@@@

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Just Us Chickens …

Posted on May 3, 2013 by AnnieRie

… and other random thoughts on a Friday evening.

It is the beginning of chicken season out at England Acres. The first 100 were processed this week and by now may all be gone. If you want to try some really tasty chicken, try free range birds from the local farms. England Acres offers them every four weeks all summer.

The chickens range in size from four to six pounds. If you want to use them frozen, directly into the crock pot like I do, you need to take out that plastic bag with the giblets and heart, and take out the neck. Those pieces I use to make chicken stock. If you are going to grill or roast the chicken, just pop them right into the freezer and worry about that bag later.

Besides England Acres, other local farms also do chickens. TLV will have them at the markets. Breezy Willow gets them. Clark’s also has chickens in season. Of course, also, Maple Lawn has frozen turkey all year round, and fresh ones for Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can certainly eat naturally raised, farm fresh goodness from all over this area.

If you get the chance to head out to England Acres, say hi to the five little kids in the yard. They are happy for visitors and practically climb over each other to see you.

Other ramblings this weekend. The Sheep and Wool Festival is Saturday and Sunday. I hope to get there but we have guests coming both days. I know Breezy Willow will be there. They will be in the main exhibition hall.

The weather should be lovely all weekend. Markets are opening everywhere. I saw that Love Dove will be in Silver Spring Saturday. I will probably check out Burtonsville Sunday morning to see who goes there. Not that I really need anything, but I would love to find some ramps or fiddlehead ferns. I have never cooked with either of them. Asparagus should be here, and soon strawberries.

hocofood@@@

To Market, To Market We Go

Posted on April 27, 2013 by AnnieRie

The markets are starting up all over the area. For those who love the farmer’s markets and the farm stands, the season is beginning. Howard County opens their markets on the 8th of May, at Miller Library. They should have their vendor lists up soon. Most of last year’s vendors will be back.

Besides these Howard County markets, if you live on the far edges of the county, there are new and existing markets just over those county lines. Like a new one in Burtonsville, just a few miles west of Rte. 29 on Rte. 198.

I haven’t checked this one out yet but I will be there soon. If you live in Fulton or Scaggsville in Howard County, this market is just across Rocky Gorge and a few miles up the road. Atwater’s will be there, and so will Orchard Breeze, where I get quite a bit of my pork products.

Of course, for those on the west edge of the county, there are markets in Mt. Airy and Olney, as well as our Glenwood Market. For those in Ellicott City or Elkridge, you also have Catonsville markets near you.

I can’t wait for the markets to open, because when they do, I almost completely subsist on market goods and products from local artisans. Avoiding those grocery stores all summer long.

Add to the markets the farm stands. I will be checking out the opening of the farm stands. Gorman, Baughers, soon should be getting early spring items.

As for my farm series, I still intend to review Gorman, Love Dove, Copper Penny, Bowling Green and Baughers. Maybe a few more. I am waiting to get their information once they open for the season.

Come on and join me. Take a pledge. Seven items bought weekly at any market(s). Essentially one item for each day of the week. Support your local farms and artisans by buying their products and incorporating them into your diet.

It’s easy. Items like honey, meats, eggs, greens, bread, jams, herbs, fruit.

We are lucky here. We have Great Harvest, Atwater’s, The Breadery, Bonaparte, Canela and Stone House, all making baked goods for us. We have many farms selling chicken, pork, lamb, beef, eggs and cheese.

If we all just buy a little every week from our farmers, we keep them solvent. Not everyone needs to join a CSA, but for the six months of markets, you can do much better than that tired old stuff in a grocery store.

hocofood@@@

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Triadelphia Lake View Farm

Posted on April 21, 2013 by AnnieRie

The farm just down the road a piece. Closest to us, and a source of meat, eggs, plants, Christmas decorations, and veggies.

TLV Tree Farm. Known to many Howard County residents as the Christmas Tree Farm, where years ago we discovered the farm when we bought our first town house. Now known to much of Howard County as one of the farms at four of the five Farmers Markets in the county. They come to all the market days except the Thursday market.

You can go to the farm any Saturday in the winter and pick up meat, and sometimes there are eggs and Bowling Green Farm cheese in the fridge. They are open 10-2 every Saturday. I tend to stop there when I need something for a weekend dinner.

Just drive up to the farm and if no one is in the store, they have a number to call to get someone from the house. They have been farming in the county on these 100 acres for generations.

The farm house sits at the intersection of Triadelphia and Triadelphia Mill Roads. A pleasant back roads drive from Clarksville, using Triadelphia Mill, or from Columbia using Homewood, Folly Quarter, Triadelphia, what I call our direct route to Harper’s Choice. Easily accessible from Rte. 32 also.

The farm has U pick strawberry fields in the spring. Pumpkin picking, a corn maze and fall activities in October. And, of course, the Christmas tree cutting.

If you have the chance, check out their products at the markets, and then go visit the farm. Only three weeks until the 2013 markets open. TLV is present at Miller Library, Howard County Hospital, Glenwood Library and Oakland Mills markets.

hocofood@@@

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