Boiling Fresh, Raw Peanuts - Por Bar Farms

Go Local This Holiday Season!

Grocery stores start ramping up for Thanksgiving even before they clear out the Halloween candy. Turkey and ham is advertised at less than a dollar a pound for certain weekend sales. Canned potatoes are buy one get one and the produce isle begins to develop color in both veggie selection and clearance signage. With all the great advertised deals at chain supermarkets, many people don’t realize the benefits of creating a local Thanksgiving meal.

Local Food is Fresh and Real

You can purchase the produce for traditional Thanksgiving meals at local farmer’s markets. Sweet potatoes, potatoes, squash and pumpkins are all available during November. They are historical November table foods for that reason. Buying fruits and veggies from your local farmer ensures you are eating fresh grown food. You can even choose foods that were grown without harsh chemicals.

Farm Fresh Food is Often Healthier

The oversized turkey at the grocery store may feed a lot of people, but is it really food? Most mass-produced turkeys are raised on corn-based diets and hormones to promote growth. Local, free-range turkeys raised without hormones are much healthier. They usually taste better too. The same goes for vegetables, fruits and grains. You are more likely to buy products without additives or chemicals if you buy locally.

Buying Local Reduces Environmental Impact

The potato you buy at a grocery store in New Hampshire might hale from Idaho. That’s a long way for a potato to travel. Food in a grocery store travels on average around 1,300 miles from harvest to purchase. It takes a lot of fuel to carry bulk foods over such distances, creating a large impact on the environment. Local food generally travels less than 150 miles and food purchased from a farmer’s market averages even less travel. When you buy local, you support a process that consumes less resources.

Thanksgiving Foods Available from Local Farmers

In most areas, you can purchase almost all the ingredients for a holiday meal from farmer’s markets and farm coop stores. Items that are locally grown or produced in many areas include:

• Turkey and other meats
• Vegetables, including corn, potatoes, squash, pumpkins and green beans
• Fruits
• Milk and other dairy products like butter and cheese
• Eggs
• Wine
• Sugar substitutes like honey

If you aren’t into buying fresh and making food from scratch, there are plenty of options other than pre-packaged, preservative-laced canned or frozen goods. Many local businesses like bakeries, restaurants and caterers offer Thanksgiving packages. You can buy an entire meal made from natural or local products. You can also buy pies, baked goods, side dishes and entrees to supplement your Thanksgiving table.

You can provide delicious, healthy and environmentally friendly meal this Thanksgiving by shopping with local markets. Not only will you increase the taste and nutrition of your holiday table, you will also support local businesses and economy.

http://www.projectgreenify.com/post/29574273643/go-local-this-holiday-season-farm-fresh-thanksgiving

Zucchini Marinara, Kale Salad, Coconut Curry Kale Chips and Caramel Fruit Dip - Raw and Vegan!

Here are the recipes from Downtown Farmers Market's September 14th cooking class with Nicole Tuzzio from The Root Cafe. Nicole prepared a delicious vegan and raw spread including zucchini pasta, kale salad and kale chips!

Zucchini Pasta

Marinara Sauce:

·      1/2 C Extra Virgin Olive Oil

·      4C tomato (quartered)

·      2 Red Bell Peppers

·      1C Sun Dried Tomato

·      1C Backed Basil

·      8 Dates (soaked in warm water 5-10 minutes)

·      6 Cloves Garlic

·      1 Small White Onion

·      Salt to taste

Rawmesian:

·      1C Ground Almonds (almost to a powder)

·      1/3 C Nutritional Yeast

·      2 Cloves Garlic

·      1t Sea Salt

Spiralize zucchini into a large bowl. Blend ingredients for Marinara sauce in a blender or Vitamix and toss with Zucchini pasta.

Pulse Rawmesian ingredients in a blender of Vitamix. Sprinkle on top of zucchini pasta. 

Marinated Kale Salad

Dressing:

·      1C Tahini

·      1/4 C Apple Cider Vinegar

·      1/4 C Lemon Juice

·      1C Packed Fresh Parsley

·      4 Green Onions

·      2 Cloves Garlic

·      Salt to taste

Tear 3 heads of kale from stems and place in a large bowl. Toss with dressing until well coated. Serve fresh with tomato, carrot, and sprouts.

Coconut Curry Kale Chips

·      1 Can Thai Kitchen Coconut Milk

·      6T Curry Powder

·      10 Dates (soaked)

·      2C Cashews (soaked)

·      1C Coconut Shreds

·      1/2 C Orange Juice

·      1 Bunch Cilantro

·      Pinch Cayenne Pepper

Blend ingredients in a blender or Vitamix then toss over 3 heads Kale (torn from stems) – use curly kale, dino kale, or a mixture of both until well coated. Place in dehydrator or oven on the lowest setting until dry.

Caramel Fruit Dip

·      1C Raw Agave

·      1/4 t Sea Salt

·      1/8 t Cinnamon

Blend for 20 seconds, then chill in freezer for at least two hours. Remove 20 minutes before serving. Serve with fresh fruit.

Applewood Smoked Pork Shoulder w/ Beet Salad

Here are the recipes from Downtown Farmers Market's October 12 cooking class with Matthew Chasney of Prosperity Social Club. 

Matthew Chasney’s Applewood Smoked Pork Shoulder

Rub:

·      2T Salt

·      2T Ground Black Pepper

·      2T Hungarian Paprika

·      1/2 T Garlic Powder

·      2T Brown Sugar

·      1T Cumin

·      1T Chili Powder

·      1t Cayenne

·      1t Tandoori Seasoning (optional)

Sauce:

·      1/2 C Apple Cider Vinegar

·      1/2 C Distilled White Vinegar

·      3 Cloves Garlic (minced)

·      1T sugar

·      1/2 t Red Pepper Flakes

·      Salt and Pepper to taste

Cover 4 pounds pork shoulder with rub. When coals are hot, add wood chips and move coals to one side of the grill. Place pork shoulder on other side. Cover and cook for approximately 2 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Shred pork by hand and smother with sauce.

Ridiculously Amazing Beet Salad

Serves six

Salad:

·      1 Bunch of Beets

·      1/4 C Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

·      2 Scallions (chopped)

·      1/4 lb Feta Cheese (optional)

Dressing:

·      3T Olive Oil

·      2T Balsamic

·      3/4 t Dijon Mustard

·      1/4 t Pepper

·      1T Basil (chopped)

Wash beets and remove greens (do not throw them away). Place beets in a large pot covered with water. Bring to a boil. Simmer until beets are tender, about 1 hour. Drain and set beets aside to cool. Refill pot with water and bring to a boil. Cook beet greens and set aside to cool.

Peel beets by holding under a trickle of cold water and pushing the skins off with your finger. Cut into small cubes. Chop beet greens.

Mix dressing in large bowl. Add salad ingredients and stir gently.

Eat. Then realize that your beet stained kitchen and fingers are totally worth it. 

Not sure what to with all that squash? Check it out!

With all the amazing squash varieties in season right now, we thought we would share some easy ways to cook this delicious treasure.  We found this great article that we thought would help you all out in coming up with ways to prepare it!

4 Easy Ways To Cook Squash: {Plus Tips}

Squash is one of the most delightful vegetables and they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Both summer and winter varieties are cooked by similar methods but some of the summer varieties, when very young and tender, require only a short cooking time.
The yellow meat squash are especially rich in essential vitamins and their flavor is also more pronounced than other varieties.
Here’s a handy tip sheet that details how to prepare it four different ways (boiled, sauteed, baked and roasted)…I also have a few tips listed at the bottom.

Getting Started: Prepping Tips

• Very young summer squash (like the marrows and some others), do not require peeling before steaming or cooking in a small quantity of boiling water (wash well and cut off the ends first). Larger ones, such as the winter varieties, do require peeling.
• For baking, none require peeling however seeds should be removed. If small ones are to be baked whole, a slice is cut off the top or end and seeds removed.

Steaming or Boiling Method

• Peel, remove seeds and cut meat in small chunks.
• Cover bottom of pot with boiling water to depth of 1 inch; add 1/2 teaspoon of salt & cover tightly to bring to a rapid boil.
• Add prepared pieces; cover tightly and cook for 12 to 40 minutes (depending upon age and size of pieces).
• Once it’s done to desired tenderness, strain then mash well and add butter and seasonings (salt & pepper).

Pan Fried (Sauteed): Basic Recipe

• Clean and prepare by peeling skin and removing seeds and pulp (young summer squash can be cooked with its skin on but wash well first).
• Cut into slices or chunks then cook in butter over medium-high heat (uncovered) until pieces are fork tender. Season with salt, pepper or choice of herbs (you can also add thinly sliced onion).
• Remove from heat and serve.

Baked Method

• Depending on the variety, cut in half or in pieces large enough for individual servings.
• Scrape out seeds and stringy parts.
• Place pieces cut side up on large baking pan.
• On each piece place 1 teaspoon of butter, 1 teaspoon of sugar or honey or corn syrup, and a sprinkle of salt. Or try butter, garlic cloves and fresh herbs.
• Pour a third of a cup of boiling water onto the baking pan. Cover pan with lid or foil.
• Bake in a moderately hot oven (400°F) for about 1 hour (remove cover for the last 20 minutes of baking).

Baked & Stuffed:
For small varieties, try baking them stuffed!

• Remove one end (save this piece) and clean out seeds and stringy bits. Fill with a bread and meat stuffing (meat should be cooked first), pack into squash lightly, replace the end piece and tie together with string, wrap each piece with greased paper. Place in a baking pan, add 1/3 cup boiling water to the pan and bake at 400°F for about 1 hour (time depends on size and age of squash). To serve, cut in slices.

How To Roast

• Cut in half, remove seeds and stringy bits, then cut again into individual portion sizes.
• Coat pieces with olive oil then place on a baking sheet with the cut side facing up. Sprinkle with coarse salt and pepper if desired.
• Roast at 400°F for one hour, turning pieces after 30 minutes or as needed to prevent burning.
• Once it’s tender, remove from oven, scoop out the flesh and serve.
• Alternate Method: You can also peel first, remove seeds and stringy bits, then cut into 1/4″ slices (approximately). Proceed as above but heating time will be closer to 30 minutes or so.

Tips

• 1 large acorn squash will yield 2 servings. Allow about 1/2 lb. per serving for other varieties.
• How to tell when it’s done: when it is fork tender throughout.
• How to peel? You can peel them with either a sharp knife or a vegetable peeler, but you’ll find some varieties are far more difficult than others to peel. To make the job easier, try cutting the vegetable into smaller pieces before peeling. For especially stubborn toughies, try heating it for a few minutes in the microwave or in the oven (allow to cool a bit first before trying to peel so you don’t burn yourself).
• Winter varieties include: Acorn, Autumn cup, Buttercup, Butternut, Hubbard, Spaghetti
• Summer varieties include: Pattypan (or scallop), Yellow crookneck and Zucchini

Source: Some of the information above is from the booklet “Vegetable Cook Book” by McFayden Seeds (1948)

http://tipnut.com/cook-squash/

Berry Salad w/ Goat Cheese & Cashews

Berry Salad w/ Goat Cheese & Cashews

• Mixed greens or kale
• Strawberries or raspberries
• Goat cheese 
• Unsalted cashews
• Balsamic Vineagar and extra virgin olive oil (lightly drizzle over salad)

Greens, raspberries and strawberries can be found at the Downtown Farmers Market this Friday, June 1 from 11am-2pm. 

Applesauce

Ingredients
7 Apples, peeled, cored and sliced or chunked
1/2 CUP Apple Cider
1 TBSP Lemon.luice
1 Cinnamon stick
1/4 CUP Brown Sugar
3 TBSP Honey or Maple syrup
1 tsp Ground Ginger
1/2 tsp Nutmeg

Directions
In heavy-bottomed stockpot or casserole, place apples, cider, lemon juice and cinnamon. Cover and simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring often, until apples are tender.

Add remaining ingredients and cook for 2 minutes longer, stirring all the while.

Mash apples into a coarse puree with potato masher,

YIELD: 2 Quarts


Bill Markowitz is demonstrating this recipe at the Kamm's Corners Farmers' Market this Sunday!
Courtesy of Gary Richmond