One way to reduce your carbon footprint is to eat local food. Too often, I associate fresh, local vegetables and fruit only with spring, summer, and fall and forget about the possibilities that winter brings. Butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and kale are just a few great reasons to get excited about the cold, seemingly never-ending winter months. Winter farmers' markets, such as the Wayland Winter Farmers' Market, Natick Winter Farmers' Market, the Winter Market at Attleboro Farms, Pawtucket Wintertime Farmers' Market, and the Plymouth Local Foods Winter Market offer the opportunity to revitalize your winter meals.
Additionally, now is the time to start planning for the bounty of summer. Every February, I look forward to joining a summer Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share to support a local farm. Each week from June-October, I pick up a box of interesting vegetables, some of which I've never heard of, and then find simple ways to cook them. Kale chips, which I make by sprinkling olive oil and salt over chopped kale, then baking on a sheet pan at 350 degrees for 12 minutes, is one of the best simple recipes I've discovered.
Many farms are now accepting sign-ups for their summer CSA shares, some of which sell out quickly. Websites such as Boston Localvores, the Local Food Guide to Metro Boston, and Local Harvest are great resources for finding farms and farmers' markets. However, if you're having trouble deciding which farm to join, a free Farm Share Fair will be held on Tuesday, February 25 from 6-7 pm at 50 Paul Revere Road in Arlington. The Fair will present an opportunity to meet farmers from 20 local farms, and if you're interested, volunteer to help or sign up for a fun summer share.
Additionally, now is the time to start planning for the bounty of summer. Every February, I look forward to joining a summer Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) share to support a local farm. Each week from June-October, I pick up a box of interesting vegetables, some of which I've never heard of, and then find simple ways to cook them. Kale chips, which I make by sprinkling olive oil and salt over chopped kale, then baking on a sheet pan at 350 degrees for 12 minutes, is one of the best simple recipes I've discovered.
Many farms are now accepting sign-ups for their summer CSA shares, some of which sell out quickly. Websites such as Boston Localvores, the Local Food Guide to Metro Boston, and Local Harvest are great resources for finding farms and farmers' markets. However, if you're having trouble deciding which farm to join, a free Farm Share Fair will be held on Tuesday, February 25 from 6-7 pm at 50 Paul Revere Road in Arlington. The Fair will present an opportunity to meet farmers from 20 local farms, and if you're interested, volunteer to help or sign up for a fun summer share.
Article courtesy of Andrea Ruedy Trimble, The Boston Globe
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