Nuper Prognatus Locavorae

Okay, I totally made that up.  Loosely translated, it means "newly born locavore."  I have been at this "eat local" thing for a month now.  I received my second farm share of meat tonight and can't wait to try out more recipes this month with all the chicken and pork I received.  I received two ham hocks (aka pork knuckles), which I have never cooked with before, along with some pork ribs.  I have a feeling the slow cooker will be coming out soon. 

Pork Diagram ca. 1900

Old Dog, New Tricks
Like I mentioned in my first post, I stopped shopping at the big chain grocery stores, like Smith's or Stop and Shop, a couple years ago and have been sticking to Trader Joe's and Whole Foods for about 95% of my groceries.  The seed of this new experiment took root in October last year.  I wanted to take my shopping one step further--to tap into the local resources here in New England and begin buying directly from the source as much as I possibly could.  One of my book club buddies sang praises about her conversion to eating locally last year and I was sold.  How hard could it really be to eat seasonally and locally?

So here I am, one month in, and really embracing it.  While I do admit I am having some withdrawals from the comforts of "ye olde general store," I enjoy my Saturday morning trips to the farmers market.  There's something to be said about learning the names of the farmers and food peddlers, shaking their hands and talking about their crops or products.  Last week, I met a woman who harvests local honey and a gentleman who comes up from from the Cape with fresh mussels, clams, scallops and other treats from the sea.  I might just have to pick up some mussels one weekend.

I had a moment of weakness last weekend and bought several produce items from my local Roche Bros to make both my chicken salad and the tortilla soup.  Sticking to the "seasonal" part of my experiment is proving to be a little tougher than I thought.  We all fall off the wagon once in a while, I know.  I just have to get back on!

Thinking Spring
I drove by Sunshine Farm last weekend and looked out across the blanket of snow covering the fields that will be producing wonderful spring vegetables in a few short months.  I began thinking of all the wonderful spring crops that I will be getting soon: snap peas, asparagus, broccoli, kale, lettuces, cucumbers, strawberries. I can't wait! 

Amidst all this snow and gray, I am smiling inside knowing that Mother Nature is working her magic in the sleeping soil and in due course, the sun will come out, the snow will melt, birds will sing, and the seeds will take root and begin to sprout.  Whenever I start seeing snowdrops and crocuses pop out of the snow, I know spring is just around the corner.  Until then, I will have to be content with root vegetables a little longer...