June Community Events

6/4/16- Melick's Hard Cider Festival. Melick's Town, Farm, 170 Oldwick, Rd., Oldwick, NJ. 10 a.m.-6 pm. 

6/6/16 Chef's Night by Elijah's Promise, Palace at Somerset Park, Somerset, NJ. 6:30 p.m. Reserve tickets.

6/11/16- On-Farm Workshop: Meat Rabbits Green Duchess Farm, Somerset, NJ. 1:30 -4:30 p.m. $75 includes a pasture raised, meat rabbit for your freezer or table. ($40)

6/18/16- Let's Table This: Jersey Style Food Writer Panel discussion to celebrate Montclair Food & Wine Festival.  Details here.

6/18/16- The Just Jersey Food Truck & Music Festival and fireworks. Waterloo Field Concert Field, 1053 Waterloo Rd., Stanhope, NJ. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. Will benefit Eleventh Hour Rescue.

6/25/16- Grow Unusual Edibles Talk with Rachel Weston. Details here.

6/25 and 6/26- Whitesbog 33rd annual Blueberry Festival, Whitesbog Preservation Trust, 120 West Whitesbog Road, Browns Mills, NJ. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Farmers Markets

6/2/16- . Sea Bright Farmers Market, Opening Day. Ocean Ave. parking lot, Sea Bright, NJ. 2 p.m.. - 7 p.m. Every Thursday through 9/29/16.

6/3/16- Highland Park Farmers Market. Opening Day. 11 a.m-5:30 p.m., 212 Raritan Ave.,  Highland Park, NJ. Fridays.

6/4/16- Montclair Farmers Market. Opening Day. Walnut Street Train Station, Montclair, NJ. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturdays.

6/4/16 - Montgomery Farmers Market. Opening Day. Village Shopper Parking Lot, 1340 Rt. 206 Skillman, NJ (directly across from Montgomery Cinema and Shop-Rite). 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturdays, June - October

6/5/16- Point Pleasant Farmers Market, Opening Day, 601 Arnold Ave, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sundays.

6/12/16- Ramsey Farmers Market Opening Day and annual Strawberry Festival. (postponed from 6/5 due to bad weather) Erie Plaza train station on Main St., Ramsey, NJ. 9 a.m. -2 p.m. Sundays through November. 

6/11/16 Chatham Farmers Market. Opening Day. 1 Railroad Plaza South, Chatham, NJ. 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturdays June - October.

6/12/16- Asbury Fresh, Opening Day. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Cookman Ave, Asbury Park, NJ. Sundays - Sept. 25.

6/12/16- Ramsey Farmers Market Opening Day and annual Strawberry Festival. (postponed from 6/5 due to bad weather) Erie Plaza train station on Main St., Ramsey, NJ. 9 a.m. -2 p.m. Sundays through November. 

6/18/16 Belmar Fresh. Opening Day. Payone Plaza, 9th Ave. & Main St., Belmar, NJ. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturdays through October 1.

6/18/16- Metuchen Farmers Market. Opening Day. Senior Center parking lot, New St & Center St., Metuchen, NJ. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturdays through October.

May Community Events

5/1/16 Spring Renewal Fair  First Presbyterian Church of Rumson, 4 E River Rd, Rumson, NJ. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. A full day of food and gardening topics. I'll be presenting a talk on growing unusual edibles.

5/4/16- Saltopia (Artisan Infused Sea Salt) flash sale. One day only at the Salt Cellar, 9 Reservoir Road, Hackettstown, NJ.  12:00 - 8:00pm RSVP here to attend.

5/6/16- 5/8/16- Rutgers Gardens Spring Flower Fair. Rutgers Garden, 112 Ryders Lane, New Brunswick, NJ. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday., 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sunday. Look for unusual herbs, vegetable seedlings, fruit plants in addition to the superb collection of perennials and annuals.

5/7/16- World Naked Gardening Day. For those with big yards and tiny inhibitions. The website depicts people enjoying farming and gardening activities.

5/14/16- On-Farm Workshop: How to Raise and Slaughter Chickens for Meat Green Duchess Farm, Somerset, NJ. 9 a.m.- 12 p.m. $75, includes pastured raised, meat chicken to take home ($30 value).

5/17/16- Little Bites of Joy Raw Foods Class (Certification Level 1 or audit option) Fair Haven, NJ. $63-125. Register online.

5/22/16 Pam Mount's Annual Herb Class Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Rd., Princeton. 1-3 p.m. Free.

Farmers Markets

5/1/16- Denville Farmers Market Opening Day. Bloomfield Ave. parking lot, Denville, NJ. 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sundays through 11/20/16.

5/6/16 - Rutgers Gardens Farmers Market  Opening Day. 112 Ryders Lane, New Brunswick, NJ. 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Fridays through 11/18/16.

5/7/16- West Windsor Farmers Market Opening Day. Vaughn Drive parking lot of the Princeton Junction train station off of Alexander Rd., West Windsor, NJ. 9 am. - 1 p.m. Saturdays through 11/19/16.

5/12/16- Duke Farms Farm to Table Market Opening Day, 112 Dukes Pkwy. W, Hillsborough, NJ 3-8 p.m. Thursdays through November.

5/14/16- Burlington County Farmers Market Opening Day. 500 Centerton Rd (Intersection of Centerton & Hartford Rds) Moorestown, NJ 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Rain or shine. Saturdays through 10/29/16

5/14/16 Haddonfield Farmers Market Opening day. Kings Court,  150 Kings Highway Haddonfield, NJ. 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Every Saturday, Rain or Shine through 10/28/16.

5/15/15 Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers Market Opening Day. Dvoor Farm, 111 Mine St., Flemington, NJ 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sundays.

5/19/16- Princeton Farmers Market Opening Day. Hinds Plaza, 55 Witherspoon St., Princeton. NJ. Thursdays

5/28/16- Pennington Farmers Market Opening Day. Rosedale Mills, 101 Rt. 31, Pennington, NJ. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturdays through November.

Asparagus Risotto

Serves 4

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 Tbsp Olive oil
½ cup onion, small dice
1 bunch Asparagus
2 cups Arborio rice
6 cups Chicken stock
½ cup Parmesan cheese
kosher salt and fresh pepper, to taste

 Directions:

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.

Trim the asparagus spears to remove any woody ends and add to the boiling water. Cook for approximately 90 seconds. The stalk will become more pliable and the stem end should be easily pierced with the tip of a knife. Remove the stalks and plunge them into a bowl of ice water to cool. When they are cool enough to handle, cut the tips off into 3-inch lengths. Slice the remaining stalks into ½ inch slices. Set aside.

In a sauce pan, heat the chicken stock.

In a wide pan, heat butter and olive oil. Cook the onion until it soft and translucent. Add the rice and stir to coat the grains of rice.

Use a ladle to add one half cup of hot stock to the pan and stir until the rice absorbs it. Continue doing this until the stock is gone or the rice no longer absorbs the liquid. This should take about twenty minutes. The rice will be al dente. You want toothsome, not crunchy rice.

Stir in the parmesan cheese and sliced asparagus. Taste and season with black pepper and salt.

Garnish with the asparagus tips.

April Community Events

Princeton Environmental Film Festival at the Princeton Public Library, April 2-10, 2016
Full program at the link above.
My picks for food related films being screened:
4/2/16-  Seed: The Untold Story,  a feature-length documentary following passionate seed keepers protecting our 12,000-year old food legacy. Screening followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Taggart Siegel and Will Bonsai, who appears in the film. 1 p.m.

4/8/16-  Seeds of Time follows agriculture pioneer Cary Fowler's global journey to save the eroding foundation of our food supply in a new era of climate change. Screening followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Sandy McLeod via video conference. 2 p.m.

4/9/16- Made in Monmouth Expo, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. MAC at Monmouth University, Larchwood Avenue, West Long Branch. Free.

4/9/16 Organic Vegetable Gardening Class at Rutgers Gardens

4/10/16 Philly Farm & Food Fest at the PA Convention Center. Over 130 exhibitors, a Curd Convention with NJ cheesemakers Cherry Grove Farm and Valley Shepherd Creamery represented, cooking demos and a Libations Lounge.

Book tour promoting Katie Parla's "Tasting Rome." Ms. Parla is a New Jersey native and expert on the food and drink of Rome. Complete schedule here with dates for NJ, NY, PA April 3-8, 2016 and other national locations throughout May.

10 Farmers Markets to Try This Month

4/9/16- West Windsor Community Farmers Market, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. last winter market of the season, Windsor Athletic Club, 99 Clarksville Rd, West Windor

4/15/16- Rutgers Gardens, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Last winter market of the season. Ryders Lane, New Brunswick.

April 13, 20, 27-  Princeton University Market, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Firestone/Chapel Plaza, Princeton.

4/17/16- Denville Farmers Market, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Last winter market. Bloomfield Ave, parking lot, Denville

4/17/16- Hunterdon Land Trust Winter Farmers’ Market, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.  Dvoor Farm, 111 Mine St. off the Route 12 circle,  Raritan Township

4/17/16- Summit Farmers Market, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Opening day! Park and Shop Lot No. 2 at the corner of DeForest Ave. and Maple Street, Summit
 
4/21/16 Princeton Farmers Market,  11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon St, Princeton

Every Saturday in April- Montclair Farmers Markets, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m., Walnut Street Train Station, Montclair

Every Saturday in April -Sparta Winter Farmers Market, 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Sparta Middle School, 350 Main St., Sparta

Every Sunday in April - Morris County Winter Farmers Market, Alexander Hamilton School
24 Mills Street, Morristown

Celebrate National CSA Day

Today is National CSA Day. A friendly reminder from that spring is coming and this is the best time to buy your 2016 CSA share.

I’m not as obsessed about what I’m eating for dinner tonight, but what I’m going to eat once the growing season gets into full swing here in the Garden State. My carefully prepared cache of eggplants, tomatoes and greens from last summer’s harvest has, alas, almost vanished from the freezer. I’m coveting fresh, exciting produce and a source to easily get my mitts on it.

One way to ensure access to excellent produce is to subscribe to a farm’s CSA program. Community Supported Agriculture is a way to support a local farmer by agreeing to buy a weekly share of their produce for a season. Buying in before the growing season allows the farmer to plan and purchase supplies for the year. Many farms offer incentives and discounts for signing up early. Signing on now gives the customer ample time to dream up all the different ways to cook produce that arrives in weekly allotments. The length of share season varies from farm to farm, with most running from June to November.

When choosing a CSA, there are a few variables to consider. If eating organic is important to you, you can find a CSA that is certified organic or uses organic practices, which means it relies on eco-friendly practices including biological pest management and exclusion of all synthetic chemicals, antibiotics and hormones. This is a great opportunity to talk directly to your farmer about how they grow their crops and raise their livestock.

How much do you like to cook? A full share will feed a family of three or four. A halfor single share serves one or two. Once the season gets rolling, the amount of produce you receive can be daunting if you are not prepared. This should be a fun experience, not a stressful one. Prepare a cache of recipes before you are inundated with more zucchini than you know how to handle. Add a few vegetable-centric books to your library, although most CSAs include recipes with their share, and some have potluck events for members to mingle and share cooking tips.

                                                                                                                                                                                                      Photo: Rachel J. Weston

Traditionally, CSA shares have been a one size fits all box of the week. Expect a delivery of everything that is freshest that week in the field. This season, a new market style CSA is picking up in popularity.  Members can prepay a debit card for their account and visit the farm at a farmers market to pick only the crops they want for the week. This may be ideal for those who travel often or have picky eaters to contend with at home.

Some farms require participants visit the farm for their weekly pickup, but there are often farm animals for the kids to enjoy, and many have shops that sell products made from their harvest. Some CSA programs offer pickup options at farmers markets, members’ homes or convenient business locations. Many programs offer add-on options of fruit, eggs, meat, seafood, mushrooms, honey, bread, dairy, flowers, soap, prepared foods, event tickets and class subscriptions.  A pick-your-own option of select crops is also offered by some farmers.

A few hours of work on the farm per week or season is a requirement at some farms. This helps reduce labor costs for the farmer. The added opportunity to pick your own flowers and some vegetables is a way for you to play farmer for a few glorious hours. Once you are out there, you will begin to appreciate how hard and rewarding the work can be.

Investing in a CSA is a bit like playing the stock market. A single hailstorm or heat wave can wipe out a whole crop. Yet in the same season, conditions might be excellent for other crops. You’ll find yourself wondering how the arugula fared after a big rain. Sharing the highs and lows of the farm’s season brings you closer to the land.

From Chinese greens to chiogga beets, explore the range of veggies and fruits grown right here in New Jersey by signing up for a farm share. Shares sell out fast, so plan on securing your share pretty darned quick!

A Selection of New Jersey's CSA Programs

Aspen Ridge Farm
Oxford
Pickup: On farm, Madison, Princeton
Features: Chicken & Eggs, Pork, Veal

Chickadee Creek Farm
Pennington
Pickup: On farm, Denville, Montgomery, Princeton, Rutgers Gardens
Features: Certified organic, market share, pick your own for members

Cooperative 518 Community Farm
Princeton
Pickups: On farm, Highland Park
Features: Box & market shares, add on berries, eggs, classes

Dogwood Farms
Hillsborough
Pickup: On farm
Features: Boxed shares. produce, meat shares -chicken, pork, lamb, beef

Farmer Meg
Rumson
Pickup: On farm, Asbury Park
Features: Produce, add on goats milk soaps, bread, meat shares, condiments.

Green Duchess Farm
Somerset
Pickup: On farm, Sea Bright
Features: Box share. Chicken, pork.

Great Road Farm
Skillman
Pickup: On farm
Features: Box share. Heirloom produce

Honey Brook Organic Farm
Pennington
Pickup: On farm and over 30 locations
Features: pick your own options

Melick’s Town Farm
Oldwick
Pickup: Bridgewater, Califon, Hoboken, Madison, Oldwick
Features: tree fruit and veggies

Robson's Farm
Wrightstown
Pickup: On farm, Burlington County, Point Pleasant Beach, Westmont Farmers Markets
Features: Market share. Flowers! Peaches! Vegetables, fruit.

Circle Brook Farm (formerly Starbrite Farm)
Andover
Pickup:  On farm. Jersey City, Morristown, Westfield.
Features: Certified organic. Vegetables, herbs, melons. Add on fruit share.

School Lunch Organic Farm & CSA
Hacketstown
Pickup: On farm, Maplewood, Montvale, Morristown, Secaucus
Features: Certified organic. Box share. Add on eggs, honey, raspberries

Von Thun Farms
South Brunswick, Washington
Pickup: Monmouth On both farms and other host locations
Features: add on fruit shares

* Visit the farm websites for most current information on pricing, crops grown, length of season and pickup information.

For more CSA programs near you, visit:

Jersey Fresh

Local Harvest

Small Farm Central

.

Crispy Fish with Liao's Food Chile Chutney for Lunar New Year

Two things I have major love for are supporting local businesses and hot sauce. When both are combined: what a great day. Recently I spoke at an event about how private investors can support local food entrepreneurs. Several of my favorite local businesses were there, too. I also had the opportunity to meet a few more new food producers.

Diana Liao Andes shared her chili chutney with me the story of her new company Liao's Food. We bonded immediately chatting about scaling up her treasured family recipe and sourcing ingredients from New Jersey farms. Diana's father Liao was born raised in India. After moving here to the United States, he had a successful Chinese restaurant for almost three decades. Diana is continuing the family food business now by bottling her father's famous spicy sauce.

Lunar New Year is one of my favorite times of the year. Honestly, I never have my act together to make a resolution or say goodbye to the prior year on January 1st. When Lunar New Year arrives I feel ready. Bonus - the party lasts for 15 days. That gives me plenty of time to spend time with family and friends, cook and really launch into a new year. I try to take on eating or cooking something new each year. Last year, I taught a class with whole crispy fish, noodles for longevity and jiaozi, pork filled dumplings. This year, I decided to play around with using a vegetable component as the noodle. I happened to have a batch of my dumplings ready to go in the freezer.

Diana told me, "I was speaking to my Dad about some traditional Chinese New Year recipes and depending on the province they came from the traditions will be different. However, the usual staples would be dumplings and whole fish. The fish is traditionally served whole (with head and tail). It's a symbol of good luck."

Because red is a lucky color during the new year, I chose a red snapper when I visited my fishmonger. There are two ways to prepare this dish. Diana and I both love the crisp exterior when the fish is briefly fried. Her father suggests a healthier option of steaming. In that case, the fish is placed in a steamer basket over simmering water.  Once it is cooked through using either method, it is covered with a flavorful sauce.

Crispy Fish with Liao's Food Chile Chutney

Ingredients:
1- 1 1/2 lb whole red snapper
1 cup peanut or canola oil
kosher salt and pepper
1/2 cup rice flour or all purpose flour
1 large carrot
1/2 cup scallions, sliced
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup Liao's Food Chili Chutney
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1/4 cup fresh ginger, julienned
4 cloves garlic, sliced thin
kosher salt and pepper

Directions:
1. Using a vegetable peeler, mandoline or spiralizer, shave the carrot lengthwise into long "noodles."
Put them in a bowl and toss with the scallions and cilantro. Sprinkle with kosher salt, toss to combine. Set aside.

2. Rinse and pat the fish dry with paper towels. Check to make sure all the scales are removed. Lay the fish flat on a cutting board and cut three vertical slits into the side of the fish. Turn over and repeat. Salt and pepper the fish on both sides and inside the cavity. Dust with the flour to coat.

3. In a frying pan pan large enough to contain the fish, heat the oil to 350 degrees. Carefully lower the fish into the oil away from you to prevent splashing. Once the fish is golden brown on the bottom side, turn it over. (I like to have two pairs of tongs at the ready to help flip the fish safely. Use one pair to grip below the head and the other above the tail.) After crisping up the second side, remove the fish to a serving platter.

4. Turn off the heat. Pour the hot oil through a wire mesh strainer into to a heatproof bowl or Pyrex measuring cup. Discard the solids in the strainer.

5. Put 1/4 cup of the strained oil back into the pan. Add the ginger and garlic. Saute until softened. Add the chili chutney. Stir to combine and heat through.

6. Pour the sauce over the fish. Top with the carrot noodles.

Where to get it:
Liao's Food Chili Chutney is available at several specialty and Asian food markets in New Jersey. You can also find them this weekend at Kan Man Foods in East Hanover and the Cranford Artisan Winter Market on Feb. 27, Mar. 12 & 19. Details on their site for locations.
 

Ghee Whiz!

In winter, I spend time with the latest batch of cool cookbooks for new ways to cook my favorite vegetables. Even if they aren't in season right now, I will be ready with recipes when they are! Recenty, I was driving and listening to an episode of The Splendid Table podcast with guest, Madhur Jaffrey who spoke about her latest book, Vegetarian Indian. She described a recipe with mushrooms roasted with tumeric and a coconut sauce. I was captivated. Today, I poked around what I had in my fridge and pantry to riff off that idea for my lunch.

I've been a fan of the certified organic, grassfed ghees made by Pure Indian Foods since I wrote about them in a story comparing cooking fats. While at the West Windsor Farmers Market in December,  I visited with Pure Indian Foods owners, Sandeep and Nalini Agarwal. They shared their newest product with me- Tumeric Ghee. It smells like heaven and tastes even better.

Once I heard Madhur, I had a flash of inspiration. I put two pounds of large button mushrooms with the stems removed on a sheet tray. I drizzled two tablespoons of melted tumeric ghee over them and sprinkled them with kosher salt and a bit of my homemade tandoori spice blend. Then they went into a 375 degree oven for twenty minutes. I started cooking them with the opening side up and then turned them over midway. They are so delicious. I also made some brown rice cooked with their Cultured Ghee and cumin seeds. While all that was cooking, I put together a pot of red lentils with pumpkin puree and coconut.

Be on the lookout for ghee from Pure Indian Foods and mushrooms from Shibumi Farm to recreate this dish. Blue Moon Acres in Pennington grows amazing rice. Look for it at their farm store and the StocktonMarket.

Order products from Pure Indian Foods online at their website, at specialty retailers and health food store nationwide, select Whole Foods Market locationsor catch up with them in person at The West Windsor Community Farmers Market.

This highly anticipated, monthly indoor market happens on the second Saturday of the month. Unfortunately, the Argawals have a schedule conflict for this month's market on Feb. 13, but they will be there on Mar. 12and Apr. 9. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Windsor Athletic Club, 99 Clarksville Road, West Windsor.

I picked up a hard copy of Vegetarian India: A Journey Through the Best of Indian Home Cooking. It is really wonderful. Gorgeous photos are making my mouth water and wish summer gets here sooner so I can try the recipes with okra, tomatoes, chiles and eggplant. But there are plenty of intriguing recipes that we can make right now with potatoes, kale, carrots, dried beans, spinach, apples, eggs and rice that are all grown locally and available now.  Savory pancakes and crepes, many of which are gluten-free, caught my interest.

As an avid lover of Indian cuisine, my pantry is already well stocked with many of the spices, dals and flours that Jaffrey calls for in the book. My local Wegmans store has a good selection of basic ingredients but it is well worth the trip to one of the excellent Indian markets across the state. I love to spend the afternoon on a cold day in a warm store filled with vibrant colors and the heady fragrance of spices.

Get Inspired With Me. Enjoy a free Kindle preview of Vegetarian Indian by Madhur Jaffrey.

Touch down this weekend at Super NJ Farmers Markets

Saturday Markets

Cranford Indoor Winter Market, Every Saturday through Mar. 19. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Cranford Community Center, 220 Walnut Ave., Cranford. The only winter market in Union County. Score some jam-tastic joy from Jams by Kim, scoop up pickles, pierogies, honey and more delights from Judith's Dessert Boutique, Norz Hill Farms, Hoboken Farms and Paolo's Kitchen.

Montclair Farmers' Market-  Every Saturday. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.Walnut Street Train Station, Montclair (outdoors) You might not be able to pick the winner in the office football pool but you can always pick the perfect pickle from Picklelicious.

Sparta Winter Farmers Market - Every Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sparta Middle School, 250 Main St. (RT. 517) Sparta. (indoors) Specials this week on charcuterie by Mosefund Farm, arancini by Nicola's Pasta and meats from Pittenger Farms. Plus hummus, cupcakes, honey and much more that will score you points at your Superbowl party.

Sunday Markets

Slow Food Northern NJ Indoor Winter Market-  One time only! Feb. 7. 12-4 p.m. The Woodland, 60 Woodland Road, Maplewood (indoors) Suggested donation $3. Lickt Gelato, quail eggs by The Spotted Egg, pastured meats, produce, cheeses, granola and more goodness from 25 vendors.

Denville Farmers Market- Feb. 7& 21, Mar. 6&20, Apr. 3 & 17, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Bloomfield Ave lot, Denville (outdoors) lots of greens from Happy Harvest Hydroponic Farms, heart shaped ravioli from Fontanarosas and more.

Morris County Winter Farmers' Market- Every Sunday. Over 25 local food vendors, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Alexander Hamilton School, 24 Mills St., Morristown (indoors)

Ramsey Farmers Market- Every Sunday through March. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Eric Smith School, Monroe St., Ramsey (indoors) Check out the complete vendor list for chili, soup, empanadas, stuffed breads, samosas and a whole lot of edibles that will make your party prep half the time as cooking everything from scratch.