in season | Rachel's Table

How to Plant Strawberries

April 5, 2012 by rachelocal

John called me this week, wanting me to help plant new strawberries–75 of them. When I got to his house, he already had 50 in the ground, so I helped with the rest. Nothing more local than your own strawberries, so I was eager to learn how it’s done (as you know I am a novice <understatement> gardener and have a paralyzing fear of growing things). The first thing you must do is buy strawberry plants. John orders his from […]

Categories: Delaware Farms, Farmer's Markets, Gardening, Local Farms, Random • Tags: farmer's market, food, gardening, in season, strawberries

How Does Your Garden Grow?

March 27, 2012 by rachelocal

Honestly, I don’t know how a garden grows, but I’ve been asking for help. My friend Valerie gave me some good advice. “It’s easy,” she said. “Just cut open a bag of potting soil and sow some arugula seeds in the bag. Instant garden.” Is it really that simple? Maybe I’ve been reading too many books. Most of the books are helpful, but sometimes I get overwhelmed by the sheer bounty of things to plant, the ways to plant them, […]

Categories: Delaware Farms, Farmer's Markets, Random • Tags: bag gardening, gardening, in season, life, local, locavore

Portlandia, Anyone?

March 16, 2012 by rachelocal

My obsession with local food has been spilling over into my sense of humor. Or at least into what I think is funny. For instance, I think it’s hysterical to ask, “Is it local?” when served a meal at my mother’s house. Or asking my husband, “Are those local?” when he’s eating barbecue flavored potato chips. I’m positive no one else thinks it’s funny, especially my mother who just made a lovely meal. The truth is, I’ve become obsessed with […]

Categories: Random • Tags: farm to table, free range, in season, local, locavore, portlandia, restaurants, sustainable agriculture

My Local List

March 15, 2012 by rachelocal

Let’s give Delaware a break. Delaware gets a bad rap sometimes. The newest blight comes in the form of a Top 10 list that I’ve seen circulating Facebook. Unfortunately, Delaware was listed as the number 4 most miserable state to live in by the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. The index considers things like emotional well-being, education, physical health, and work environment. (But come on, New Jersey was listed as one of the best places to raise a child by the same people, […]

Categories: Delaware Farms, Farmer's Markets, Random • Tags: CSA, farmer's market, in season, LBR 614, local, locavore, produce stand, restaurants

An Eggsperiment

March 13, 2012 by rachelocal

Yeah, I went there. (Thanks to my darling husband for suggesting such a mind-blowingly smart title.) Weekends are for two things: sleeping and big breakfasts. Well, maybe only for big breakfasts if you have kids. I don’t, so I sleep in and then eat a big breakfast. This past weekend I decided to try a little experiment. Yes, with eggs. One egg was free range, pasture fed, hormone and antibiotic free. The other was the grocery store brand. Here are […]

Categories: Delaware Farms, Farmer's Markets, Recipes • Tags: eggs, farm to table, farmer's market, food, free range, in season, local, locavore, sustainable agriculture

The Lorax was a Locavore

March 11, 2012 by rachelocal

I took my niece Sarah to see The Lorax for her 10th birthday. I would like to say that in preparation for this environmentally-friendly movie, I prepared some treats using local ingredients and then sneaked them into the theater in my giant, but fashionable bag. I would like to say that, but instead I have to say that we visited the dollar store five minutes before the movie started and I let Sarah choose Swedish fish, Sprite, and pretzels. I then […]

Categories: Delaware Farms, Farmer's Markets, Random • Tags: food, high fructose corn syrup, in season, Joel Salatin, local, locavore, Polyface Farm, seasonal, sustainable agriculture, The Lorax

Local Asian Short Rib Tacos

March 10, 2012 by rachelocal

How can something be both local and Asian? Or for that matter, how can something be both Asian and tacos? Very easily in my kitchen. I try to make whatever I have on hand work; it’s how I came up with my famous Pasta (Because that’s the Only Thing in the Cupboard) with Sausage and Zucchini (Because that’s the Only Thing in the Fridge). Haven’t heard of it? I shall remedy that in a later post. This Asian taco recipe […]

Categories: Farmer's Markets, Random, Recipes, Winter Recipes • Tags: cabbage, farmer's market, food, in season, locavore, recipes, seasonal, short ribs

Going All the Way

March 5, 2012 by rachelocal

You know it’s not the growing season when you go to the farmer’s market and are thrilled (yes, thrilled, I’m not exaggerating) to find local cabbage. I snatched up a nice head of it and will share a recipe later this week. Seeing that lovely green ball of cabbage filled me with anticipation for April through September when so many fruits and vegetables will be available, right here in my part of the world. The cabbage also made me think […]

Categories: Farmer's Markets, Recipes • Tags: brandywine valley wine trail, Community Supported Agriculture, CSA, dubliner cheese, farmer's market, food, in season, local, locavore, produce stand, seasonal

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Tag: in season