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Written by Michael Costa
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Tuesday, 16 February 2010 21:24 |
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 If root vegetables were currency, I’d be a very rich man right now.
That’s because here in Chicago, it’s February. And when I receive my weekly CSA box this time of year, I’m acquiring loads of root vegetables: turnips, parsnips, onions, ginger, beets, potatoes, carrots, celery root, burdock root and more.
Even though I’ve received some items from local greenhouses recently, they’ve been limited so far to spring mix sprouts (a blend of red radish, snow pea and sunflower), rosemary sprigs, and watercress—delicious, but not exactly the bounty of July.
While it might seem easier to just throw my hands up and order a pizza, it’s definitely more satisfying to take those root vegetables and make a hearty pot of meatless goulash. Here’s a recipe my wife and I use when the root vegetables start to pile up. It’s a flexible dish that tastes great served over brown rice with a dollop of sour cream on top. (For recipe, click "Read more.")
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Written by Johnna Walker, Garden Teacher at Larchmont Charter School
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Friday, 29 January 2010 02:31 |
 The great thing about working with kids in the garden is how organic the program becomes when it’s focused around gardening. You can plan all you want but when the first harvest is ready, a major aphid infestation makes itself known or the weather takes a turn for the dramatic and you find yourself following Mother Nature's cue rather than your plan book! I love that about the garden - it teaches children about life on so many levels - not to mention it keeps me on my toes.
We had our first radish harvest just before school was out for the winter break. Last year we had offered the kids a dip with the radishes but this year I decided to go even simpler. We wound up making radish wraps using freshly harvested greens and radishes. We sliced the radish really thinly, placed them atop a leaf or two of lettuces and greens and then squeezed fresh lemon from our lemon tree over that and sprinkled a little salt to boot. Before they ate the kids observed the platters of the wraps and talked about how beautiful the colors of the veggies were as they sat on the plate. The kids commented how they thought it was kind of like a work of art and that presenting food in this way made them want to eat it all the more. Then they wrapped it all up and dove right into the eating.
One little boy who had seemed disengaged for most of the morning was the first to raise his hand when it came time to share about the tasting experience. His comment was that he didn't usually like vegetables but he just loved the radish wraps. That warmed my heart and I knew right then that we'd made the right choice to go as simple as we did. When the kids grow it and are involved in the process, they will respond - even if it is one radish at a time! |
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Written by Ann Shepphird
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Sunday, 14 February 2010 03:39 |
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 In honor of Valentine’s Day I thought it appropriate to highlight Love Heals Jewelry, a mother, son and daughter team who not only make their handcrafted jewelry on a family farm in Ojai but plant 10 trees for every piece of jewelry sold (and they’ve planted more than 320,000).
I discovered the jewelry last spring on a trip through San Luis Obispo. I was staying at the Petit Soleil bed-and-breakfast inn (pictured, right), which – for you GTTers who like staying at businesses that support local agriculture -- not only has its own herb garden but features locally grown products, including those purchased at San Luis Obispo's famous Thursday Farmers' Market. Petit Soleil is a few blocks from downtown San Luis Obispo where, on the first Friday of every month, the Art After Dark gallery walks take place. It was on one of these walks that I discovered Romp Shoes. Owner Karen English has a great eye for truly fabulous shoes, accessories -- and jewelry, including Love Heals. When I found out a ring I was looking at was not only exactly my size but that by buying it 10 trees would be planted, well, what could be better?
So, I said this was in honor of Valentine’s Day and that’s because a lot of people associate the day with, say, a lovely locket – but, really, who needs an excuse to buy a little bauble that both makes you happy AND adds 10 more trees to the world?
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Written by Ann Shepphird
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Thursday, 28 January 2010 16:47 |
 The Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa on the Big Island of Hawaii recently added a farmers market to its offerings. Each Wednesday from 8 a.m. to noon, the front lawn of the hotel is filled with stands featuring local fruit, vegetables, coffee, flowers and crafts. The market is an addition to the one held each Saturday morning at the Keauhou Shopping Center.
The resort’s executive chef, Eric Lelinski, is often found at the market, showing people how they can prepare some of the produce they’re purchasing and looking for items that will inspire the dishes served that night at the resort’s Kai restaurant.
Chef Lelinski was kind enough to share one of those recipes with us, a Big Island Hamakua Mushroom Risotto, which serves six and can be used to accompany steaks or seafood. (For recipe, click "read more").
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Written by Ann Shepphird
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Thursday, 26 November 2009 03:16 |
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 The idea of sharing gardens is not a new one but, with more and more people embracing the idea of sustainable gardening, it is increasing in popularity. And no wonder. It’s a great idea -- both for the apartment-dwellers who love to garden and for those who have the land but don’t have the time, resources or inclination to do anything with it.
For us at GardenstoTables, it was just that – a great idea – until I received the following e-mail:
"I read about you in Westways and went to your website. After reading about how excited you were to rent a plot at the SM community garden I had an idea. Why wait for a plot to become available. What if there are people in the West LA area who are not gardeners (like me) who have the perfect space for a garden but will never plant one. I would love to let anyone use my yard or untended patch of dirt to plant, experiment, tend or whatever. I would even help pay for supplies if someone just lovingly dealt with it. Just a thought....if you know anyone who wants a little plot to plant...have them send me a note! Nina."
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