 SUMMER 2012
Available Now!
In this Issue: Reconsidering Hemp, Sickles in Sicily, Cape May Restaurant Week, Mushrooms, Haute Herbs, the Blueberries Are Coming!, and more.
WHAT'S FRESH;
WHAT'S LOCAL:
Arugula, beets, cabbage, cilantro, collards, dandelion, dill, escarole/endive, kale, leeks, mint, lettuces, parsley, radishes, spinach, squash, swiss chard, turnips.
Source: New Jersey Department of Agriculture
Edible Jersey Magazine is published 5 times a year celebrating the local, seasonal food of the Garden State. |
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EDIBLE TIDBIT
While it's not a crop we get to harvest, thanks to Hemp History Week, June 4 - 10, there are some opportunities to celebrate hemp here in the Garden State.
Hemp has a rich history in the U.S. It was a favored crop of presidents Washington, Jefferson and Adams, the constitution was written on hemp paper, and hemp served as a vital resource in WWII (the USDA's Hemp for Victory program).
Industrial hemp and marijuana are both of the species Cannabis sativa, although their cultivars are very different. Industrial hemp, prized for its oilseed and fiber characteristics, does not share the psychoactive quality produced by the THC content in the marijuana variety. Unfortunately, the rulings of the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937 encompassed all Cannibis, with no language to call out the distinctions, and US hemp production has essentially ceased ever since.
The goal of Hemp History Week is to educate the public and garner support for industrial hemp farming in the U.S. Did you know that hemp seeds are considered to be a nearly perfect food source? It's high in protein, essential fatty acids (EFAs) and naturally occurring minerals, is gluten-free and has no known allergens. In addition to being a nutrition powerhouse, hemp is used in the manufacture of thousands of products, ranging from cosmetics and body care to plastics, paper, textiles, building materials and even ethanol. Why wouldn't our farmers want in on that?
Visit the Hemp History Week website for more fun facts about hemp; and let your representatives know that you want them to support this untapped opportunity for American farmers. Hemp for Victory!
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EDIBLE TIP
Any trip to Italy is bound to be an epicurean adventure...but this special trip promises to be unforgettable, with unique, behind-the-scenes experiences. Sickles on the Road has designed a gourmet tour of Sicily where you will be immersed into Sicilian food culture, sharing experiences with food makers on their farms, in their workshops and homes. Traveling in a small group of no more than 12 guests, you will meet the artisans whose exquisite food so impressed Bob Sickles on his buying tour to stock the shelves at Sickles Market (a winner of EJ's Local Hero Awards 2012!) October 1 - 10, 2012. Visit the website for all the scrumptious details.
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EDIBLE RECIPE
Our friends at Whole Foods Market are among those celebrating Hemp History Week 2012. They've appreciated hemp food for a while... Nutrient-packed quinoa, hemp seeds and hemp milk add protein, fiber and essential fatty acids to your morning. Whip up over the weekend, and then enjoy for breakfast during the week.
COCOA-ALMOND BAKED BREAKFAST QUINOA
Serves 8
1 cup quinoa
1 1/2 cups unsweetened hemp milk, soymilk or almond milk
1 cup pitted dates (about 5 ounces)
1/2 cup hulled hemp seeds
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
3/4 cup almond meal, divided
Rinse quinoa in a fine sieve until water runs clear, drain and transfer to a medium pot. Add 2 cups water and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside off the heat for 5 minutes; uncover and fluff with a fork.
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Line the bottom of an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper; set aside. In a blender, purée hemp milk, dates, seeds, applesauce, cocoa and salt. Transfer to a large bowl; stir in quinoa and 1/2 cup almond meal. Transfer to prepared pan, scatter remaining 1/4 cup almond meal over the top and bake until firmly set, about 1 hour.
Set aside to let cool for 1 hour, and then carefully run a paring knife around the pan to loosen the edges. Turn out onto a flat surface, remove parchment paper, cut into squares and serve.
To freeze, wrap individual squares tightly and store in the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator or microwave.
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EDIBLE EVENTS THRU JUNE 10
HEMP HISTORY WEEK Whole Earth Center is celebrating hemp history week...Visit their Facebook page for up to the minute store happenings. Be sure to check out their events page too, for information about Healthy Living Discussion Groups and more! 360 Nassau St., Princeton.
THRU JUNE 11
CAPE MAY RESTAURANT WEEK Known for its variety of fine dining experiences, from casual sit-down to formal dining, Cape May will showcase its best restaurants for eight days, with restaurants offering fixed prices that make culinary adventures both affordable and too tempting to resist! Visit the website for details or check in at the Facebook page for up to the minute happenings. Cape May. JUNE 9,10:30am - 12:00pm
MUSHROOM CULTIVATION WORKSHOP The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey (NOFA-NJ) invites you to join them at Back to Nature Home and Garden for a shiitake workshop. Shiitake mushrooms have long been recognized for their health promoting properties and are a favorite addition to American cuisine. "Eating local" just got easier; shiitake mushrooms can be one of the most sustainable foods in your diet - you can grow them at home. $30/NOFA-NJ members. $40/non-members. Includes all materials. Click thru to register. BACK TO NATURE Home & Garden, 3055 Valley Road, Basking Ridge. JUNE 9, noon - 4pm
HAUTE HERBS Edible Jersey and Eileen Fisher in Westfield team up for another fabulous food + fashion event. Learn about the taste, texture and cooking techniques of herbs, as seen in "A Hunger for Herbs" and the "Purple Majesty" lavender stories in Edible Jersey's Summer issue. Sample herb-infused hand crafted chocolates from Donna & Company, herb butter and cookies from Pleasant Valley Lavender and more. All while checking out the latest summer looks from Eileen Fisher, of course! 9 Elm Street, Westfield. Free.
JUNE 14
GRAND OPENING! Blue Moon Acres Farm Market offers certified organic products from the farm as well as other locally produced foods and goods. For more info about opening day and other upcoming events, click thru to connect via website, Facebook or Twitter. 11 Willow Creek Dr., Pennington. JUNE 16, noon-4pm
ARTISANS' MARKET Taste, learn and experience food products first-hand from the producers themselves. This first local event in a nationwide series hosted by Williams-Sonoma features regional food artisans, including New Jersey's own: Jersey Jams & Jellies, Jersey Fields Tomato Sauce, and Picklelicious. Williams-Sonoma, Riverside Square Mall, 225 Riverside Square, Hackensack.
JUNE 16, 4:30-7:30pm
THE THRILL OF THE GRILL Join Chef Heather Jones for this informative hands-on class celebrating one of America's favorite summer pastimes. Learn the secrets of perfectly grilled goodies for awesome summer entertaining or give the perfect father's day gift for Dad. Cost is $50pp, visit the website for more details. The class is studio style, held at Adullam, 11 Antina Drive, Cape May Court House. JUNE 20, 6:30- 8pm
GET YOUR KIDS IN THE GARDEN WORKSHOP Help them put down the gaming controller and pick up a spade. Rutgers Master Gardener Janis Bozowski will discuss ways to involve kids in the gardening process--seed starting, soil prep, planting, watering, harvesting, as well as garden elements proven to attract kids like water, wildlife, favorite foods, building, digging, etc. Some Children's Garden "don'ts" will be pointed out as well. Cost is $20. Visit the website for more info. EARTH Center 42 Riva Ave. Davidson's Mill Pond Park, North Brunswick.
JUNE 21, 6-9pm
SWEET SUMMER SOLSTICE You're invited to celebrate the solstice at the Piazza at Hopewell Valley Vineyards. Enjoy the longest day of the year with all your favorite friends, wine, music & pizza outdoors. Be sure to visit the website for regularly scheduled events like Wine & Music Fridays and Jazz Sundays, and other special occasions. 46 Yard Road, Pennington.
JUNE 23- 30
SAVE THE DATES! And your appetites- for Edible Jersey's Eat Drink Local Week. Take advantage of prix-fixe and supplemental menus to celebrate our seasonal bounty, enjoying the art of chefs using local, seasonal ingredients in creating a distinctly Garden State dining experiences. Visit ediblejersey.com for a list of participating restaurants.
JUNE 23
BLUEBERRIES! Pick-Your-Own season begins at Haines Berry Farm. Enjoy a great family outing. Fresh blueberries along with blueberry products, honey, iced tea and more. Thru July 22nd. Visit the website for more info, or call 609-894-8630. 98 Sheep Pen Hill Road, Pemberton.
JUNE 24, 4-9pm FIREFLIES FESTIVAL Terhune Orchards invites you to celebrate the fireflies and the insects and wild animals that live at the Orchards. Enjoy an evening of nature, music, wagon rides, outdoor fun and more. Naturalist Elaine Madigan and other staff will talk about fireflies, using hands on materials, crafts activities, and games. Schafer's Gymnastics will demonstrate the "Art of Flying" techniques and there will be musical entertainment by Miss Amy and Her Big Kids Band. And if you're getting hungry, be sure to stop by Pam's Firefly Tent for snacks. Visit the website for add'l details. There is a $5 charge for craft activities. 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. JUNE 29, 7-9pm
SOUTH JERSEY SWAPPERS After getting off to a great start, the SJ Swappers have scheduled their second meet to take place at the Bellview Winery. Register here and like their facebook page for up to the minute details. 150 Atlantic St., Buena.
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