Eating local. Feeling grateful.
We've made it another turn around the sun and other season in the fields and I for one am feeling the gratitude of the season. 2020 was a really hard year for us on the farm, and when we rebooted into 2021, Eric and I made each other the promise that we would make 2021 different. And it has been. The hard work of our amazing crew and the support of our farm share members has truly helped the farm remain buoyant in tougher than average times. And we're really grateful that as we reach the end of our Autumn season, in our 7th year of delivering CSA shares all over Southern Maine, we're able to carry on with our mission of making local food simple, accessible, and fun for families in our community. Thank you.
We have an amazing pre-Thanksgiving line up for you this coming week! I'd say the best we've ever had (huge thank you to Sarah, our organizational maven, who's poured her heart and time into sourcing amazing extras this whole season). We hope that you find that there is a place for Harvest Tide on your table and in your menu this Thanksgiving.
Here are some ideas to bring some of this local deliciousness to your table this Thanksgiving:
Baked Fuzzy Udder brie with Turtle Rock Farm ginger cranberry sauce
https://simply-delicious-food.com/cranberry-brie-puff-pastry-wreath/
Apple Crisp with Ida Red Apples and Maine Grains Rolled Oats
Mulled Apple Cider with The Apple Farm's freshly pressed cider
Really Pizazz up your stuffing with Harvest Tide Veggies (see below!)
My favorite thing to do when cooking Thanksgiving is to venture off the beaten path with traditional favorites. Not too far, but enough to wow and dazzle and introduce some new flavors into the mix. I personally think the best place to stray is stuffing. There is so much room for flavor and pizazz in this bready, buttery mixture. We have a few veggies and other items that can really help your stuffing shine this Thanksgiving:
- Leeks - Leeks are the most underrated allium (onion family) in my opinion. I substitute them for onions wherever I can! They are sweet and mild and delicious. Perfect for jazzing up your stuffing. You can simply saute them until soft and add them instead of onions or try this recipe that won't scare your more traditional family, but is a definite upgrade from stovetop stuffing. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/13522/cranberry-sausage-and-apple-stuffing/
- Fennel - This oddly shaped bulb is known for it's love it or hate it anise flavor. Raw it can be a bit more pungent, but roasted or cooked, the sweetness in it shines as the flavor mellows. This is where it can pack a punch in stuffing. This recipe makes adding it to you Thanksgiving feast a breeze. https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/classic-herb-and-fennel-stuffing
- Farro - Farro is a high protein, high fiber ancient type of wheat that looks similar to barley. It has nutty flavor and a chewy texture, and does not get mushy with cooking. It can add a great texture to really mix up your stuffing. Here is a vegan farro stuff recipe: https://www.foodnetwork.com/healthyeats/recipes/2015/12/farro-stuffing-with-butternut-squash-and-almonds
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
