Category Archives: Connecticut

Connecticut, farmer's markets, foraging

Fairfield Winter Market

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The Fairfield Winter Market (a new venture of the Westport Farmers Market) opened last week. It’s indoors at the Fairfield Theatre Company at 70 Sanford Street, Fairfield, CT.

I finally got there today and as one who has done outdoors in New Haven, I am sure grateful for an indoor market! Of course, today it was unseasonably mild–a gentle 48 degrees. Sigh.

Some of my favorite vendors from New Haven were there: Two Guys from Woodbridge, Sankow’s Beaver Brook Farm, and Beltane Farm.

Some of my favorites from other venues were there: Wave Hill Bread (Yeah!) and Goatboy Soaps.

A new vendor I met for the first time today was Ox Hollow Farm. I got some pork chops and a ham. They also have chicken (yipee!).

Westport Aquaculture had clams on the half shell and oysters. Two bakeries had delectabilities one expects from bakeries. I’m still dieting, so I tried to keep a respectable distance. One bakery, from Ridgefield (very sorry I did not get the name) had these wonderful oatmeal breakfast cookies that did not contain added sugar. All the sweetness came from apple sauce and fruit juice. Very nice.

A good time was had by all.

books, Connecticut, farms

Michael Pollan in Connecticut: A Review (of sorts)

This post is a follow up to this post.

With all due respect to the Jersey Boys: Oh what a night! The Station Square in Madison, CT. was packed! I had e-mailed for reservations but the author’s talk was already booked solid. My party was even too late to get on the waiting list. And yet, we got in! Pollan turned out to be excellent. He is one of those rare authors who speaks as well as he writes.

The Farmer’s Market side of the venue was packed as well. There wasn’t room to turn around. And yet, it was exhiliarating–all of us there to get the good stuff.

I scored:
– French Country Bread from Wave Hill Bakers.
– Empire Apples from Palazzi Orchard.
– Two cheeses, one with a Jalapeno and tequila rind from Meadow Stone Farm. (Sorry about not knowing the names of the cheeses. I bought what I sampled and didn’t write them down.)
– A taste of Cabernet Franc from Chamard Vineyards. (They were not allowed to sell any at this venue, so I’m going to have to make the road trip!)
– Pleasant Son cheese and soft cheese from Beaver Brook Farm.
– Lettuce from Two Guys from Woodbridge.
– The latest edition of The Edible Nutmeg.
– A family membership to NOFA.
– Michael Pollan’s new book, In Defense of Food (signed).

There were many, many other treats and not enough time to check them all out. It was so wonderful and wild. It was definitely worth staying out late on a school night. I am so sorry that I didn’t get any pictures. Maybe next time!

UPDATE: Sue Spencer has done a much better job than I have at recapping the evening.

Connecticut, farms

Michael Pollan in CT!

Michael Pollan’s speaking tours launching his new book In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto includes a stop in Madison CT. It’s about a 60 mile drive for me and IMHO, well worth it. It’s on Monday, January 7, 2008 from 4-8 PM at Station Square, 28 Durham Rd., Madison, CT.

The talk is sponsored by R.J. Julia Booksellers and is turning into the midwinter locavore event of the season. From their site:

To celebrate Michael Pollan’s book launch of In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto, we have joined forces with Connecticut Grown and CitySeed to bring you fresh local breads, produce, cheeses, wine, meat, and much more. Vendors include: Two Guys Farm, Reingoat Farm, Sugar Maple Farms, Dove & Boar Farm, Palazzi Orchards, Natures Edge Farm, Guilford Foodworks, 18th Century Purity Farm, Four Mile River Farm, Chamard Vineyards, Beaver Brook Farm, Mama Manju’s Salsa, Lisa Ann Skincare, Belltame Farm of Lebanon, Dinners on the Farm from River Tavern, Ashlawn Farm Coffee, Claire’s Corner Copia of New Haven, Wave Hill Breads, Meadow Stone Farm, Bird Song Farm. There will be delicious tastings to sample, locally grown and baked items for purchase, and information to share. [links added]

Some of you may have heard me go on (and on) about Wave Hill Breads…their French Country bread is the best Italian bread in Fairfield County! I have been jonesin’ for this stuff ever since Holbrook Farm scaled down for the winter.

Beaver Brook Farm and Beltane Farm have absolutely magnificent cheeses.

Who says nothing exciting happens in Connecticut?!

Connecticut, locavore, rules

Thinking about rules

I’m thinking about my rules…what constitutes a true locavore to me? Idealy, I’d like to be a 90% local foodie. The only non-local items would be stuff that just doesn’t happen in the 100-mile foodshed around Newtown, Connecticut.

Those who have been reading along know that I haven’t been doing this long enough to have significant stores. I got more serious about puttin’ by at the beginning of the Fall. Somehow it hit me that the bounty party was about to end. You also know I never planned on puttin’ by. I was hoping to be able to find what I needed as I needed it. Well, you can’t get there from here.

The Farmer’s Markets are done. The Brewster’s Farmer’s Market stayed open until the weekend before Thanksgiving, but all the other ones in my area were long closed. Holbrook’s Farm Stand is winding down, and once Christmas comes, it’s closed for the season.

I’m not even in the bad months yet and I can’t even hold 60%. Today (fairly typical mix), I had (not in this order):
– Sliced fennell bulb (from the world)
– Beef loin steak (local, Stuart, Bridgewater)
– broccoli (worldly, California)
– chestnuts (local, Cherry Grove, Newtown)
– Macoun apple (old, falling apart, but local! Blue Jay, Bethel)
– hard-boiled egg (local, Holbrook’s, Bethel)
– coffee, Kona and Sumatra (worldly)
– milk (some from who knows where and some from the CT Farmers)
– tea (worldly)
– honey (Cherry Grove, Newtown)
– leftover turkey (worldly–Butterball)
– leftover mashed potatoes (local, Holbrook’s)
– sauteed red and yellow peppers (local, Cherry Grove, Newtown)
– sauteed mushrooms (worldly, California)
– wine (local, McLaughlin’s, Sandy Hook)

I really don’t want to drop below 50%. It’s going to be an experience for sure!