One Local Summer Week 4: Northeast

Monday, June 29, 2009

Leslie from CCDwell has been experimenting with new ingredients including rhubarb, something I’ve always wondered about. She picked (yes, literally picked) out some rhubarb and strawberries to make a sweet, tart and tasty pie. She also shares an easy recipe for stewed rhubarb.

I am very jealous of Mama Urchin who had the opportunity to dine at her CSA farm with dozens of other local diners, farmers and chefs. Sounds like a magical event! She dined on a beautiful salad, mixed grill, potato salad and of course dessert, with plenty of local wine to wash it down. What a perfect way to celebrate the summer solstice, although I think every day should be a day to celebrate great food and where it comes from.

Sandra was still celebrating her recent trip to Rhode Island with a bi-local dinner of trademark greens and goats milk feta from Rhode Island served with local PA turkey tenderloins. What a great way to appreciate regional specialties.

Melissa made a full dinner for two after returning from the Anselma Farmer’s market with pork chops, potatoes and blueberries paired with other local goodies like maple syrup and wine. Her maple glazed porkchop is a neat idea and the meal is absolutely stunning.

Portabello mushrooms have such a great meaty taste and texture and Ami made great use of them with an Open-faced Portabello Stack with Chevre spread. I love that she started with an idea but modified it with what was available at the market. Her open faced sandwich sounds like it would satisfy even a burger lover, so what a great thing to keep in mind for something to throw on the grill at your next Bbq.

Our South Jersey Locavore, Robin, has hit on a local favorite in her house - her bacon-wrapped scallops.  This week she served them with a summer vegetable salad with squash, onions, zucchini, and a salad of tomatoes, mozzarella and basil. 

Regina continued her quest for local seafood and got two local meals together in the process. She made sauteed soft shell crabs, pasta with garlic scapes and olive oil, and carrots and broccoli sauteed with rosemary from her garden. The leftover pasta made a second meal of sauteed asian greens and pan-fried pasta. 

Erica, at The Brave Potato, also used leftovers creatively to make a summer grain salad with wheat, radishes, cucumber, turkey and parsley with a light dressing. 

In a different approach to local eating this summer, Rae was on the road and had a great local meal at a brewery.  She had a burger and fries made from locally grown beef and locally baked bread, along with fries and a locally brewed beer.  It’s great to see summer travel making local eating even more fun and interesting!

Lexi the Lighthearted Locavore hunted down some apparently huge (!) local fluke fillets which she served with an asian-style slaw with cabbage, radishes, and apple.  Her dressing even used a locally-sourced vinegar and local honey!  She includes a yummy recipe for the Asian Cole Slaw.

Erin, from veggicurious, cooked up multiple local meals this week.  She created a late spring Pho with tofu, snap peas, carrots, mushrooms, cabbage, broccoli and jalapenos.  She also had a last minute meal, made from the benefit of a well-stocked local pantry, with rainbow chard, a fresh egg, heirloom tomatoes and garlic scapes.

And finally, Kristin the Brooklyn Forager pulled together a small cocktail hour with local vegetables including radishes, a rainbow of carrots and garlic scapes, locally-made hummus, several local cheeses and a local baguette.