Posts from ‘June, 2009’

This is the first installation of Passport to Connecticut Wineries, or Sophie and Cecelia’s adventures tasting their way through Connecticut wineries! On Saturday, June 28, 2009, we visited DiGrazia Vineyards and McLaughlin Vineyards. DiGrazia Vineyards 131 Tower Rd., Brookfield, CT 06804, (203)775-1616 I was immediately impressed with the grotto at the entrance. Once inside, the [...]

Regular readers of this blog know that I visit McLaughlin Vineyards on a regular basis. They are one of the closest farms to my home and their Vista Riposa is a red wine that goes with just about everything I eat. This past weekend, I visited Digrazia Vineyards and Winery and enjoyed that as well. [...]

There were a number of meals this week that could qualify for the local meal of the week. This is a wonderful time of the year, with so many markets open. How about yesterday’s meal? After a day of foraging, we had: wine from McLaughlin’s and Womanchego cheese from Cato Corner Farm, in Colchester, CT [...]

This Saturday, I brought my childhood best friend and my sister with me as I traveled from farmer’s market to farm, hunting and gathering my food for the week. We began at the Bethel Farmers Market. We went on to the Brewster Farmers Market. Among other things, I scored catnip from the sisters and escarole [...]

For my Week #3 meal for the One Local Summer challenge I made collard greens and ham, loosely based on this recipe. The recipe called for ham hocks, but I used a ham steak. It said to cook it until the meat was falling off the bone, but since I didn’t have a bone, I [...]

Well happy, happy day! The Farmers Markets are opening around here—many early in response to customer demand! (See, it pays to be demanding.) I began at the Brewster Farmers Market. From Bluestone Farm, I got Cavolo Nero (Sicilian Kale), curly endive, and raspberry and mixed berry jams (for my fruit-on-the-top morning yogurt). I was delighted [...]

I can’t wait until this movie comes to a theater near me: According to the Official Food, Inc. Movie Site: In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation’s food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government’s regulatory agencies, [...]

Here’s my Week #2 meal for the One Local Summer challenge: I got a fresh chicken at Holbrook Farm from a local farm in Roxbury—not sure why they didn’t say where. The chicken came with everything (head, feet, and the innards neatly packed in a baggie). We don’t generally get fresh chicken in CT because [...]

This week’s forage began at Holbrook Farm where I scored: organic mustard greens organic collard greens strawberries (from Pell Farms in Somers, CT) organic asparagus organic beets (with the greens) a fresh chicken (with everything on it) from “a farm” in Roxbury, CT Among other things, they also have garlic scapes this week. I’m waiting [...]

Here’s my first post for this year’s One Local Summer Challenge. (Can you tell I’m a bit excited?) I know there are those who grill all year long, but I’m new to it myself and have so far only grilled in the summer. This week’s challenge meal features the grill and I’m frankly hoping that [...]