|
Minnesota Grown on Facebook
Need your local food fix? Go "like" the Minnesota Grown Facebook page where you will find local foods updates, recipes and more! We are already over 1,800 "likes". Keep 'em coming!
|
|
Farmers' Market Week
We are halfway through National Farmers' Market Week, and Minnesota Grown has been busy all week visiting markets to help them celebrate! Make sure you get out to your local market this week. |
|
The Homegrown Experience
The Homegrown Experience is a food and wine event focusing on local, organic and sustainable food available in the Twin Cities Metro Area. When: Sunday, August 21, 2011 from 11a.m.-4p.m. Where: Nicollet Island Pavilion--Minneapolis Cost: $25 in advance or $30 at the door (This is a 21+ event.) |
|
What Can You Find at the Market this Week?
- Sweet Corn
- Potatoes
- Beets
- Carrots
- Green Beans
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Broccoli
- Zucchini
- Summer Squash
- Baby Bok Choy
- Mustard Greens
- Kale
- Chinese Broccoli
- Swiss Chards
- Eggplant
- Slicing and Pickling Cucumbers
- Tomatoes
- Garlic
- Bittermelon
And so much more this time of year!
Find your local farmers' market today at MinnesotaGrown.com!
|
|
Bitter Melon
Maybe you don't buy bitter melon at the market because you don't know what it is or how to use it. Here are a few tips for using bitter melon. Check out the recipe too!
Bitter melon is a wrinkly, green, cucumber-shaped melon that is said to purify the blood and boost the immune system.
Preparation: Bitter melon is typically blanched and salted to lessen the bitterness. To prepare, scoop seeds out with a spoon--no need to peel. Chinese often stuff it with seasoned ground pork, and the Indians stew it in curry. Tiny bitter melons can be eaten seeds and all.
Pick & Store: Look for medium to small plump, firm melons. Lighter green to yellowish melons are less bitter. Store in a loosely closed plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Bitter Melon with Beef Stir-Fry
Bitter flavors are an acquired taste, but if you enjoy bitter beer and radicchio you'll probably delight in this rich and complex dish. Serve it with steamed rice.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon dry sherry
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ pound beef tenderloin, cut in thin strips across the grain
- 1 pound bitter melon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 red bell pepper
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil, divided
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger root
- 2 tablespoons black bean sauce
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- Garnish: 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh coriander leaves
Directions
- Combine sherry, soy sauce, and cornstarch in a small bowl. Add the beef strips, coat thoroughly and set aside. Cut the bitter melon lengthwise; remove inside pulp and seeds. Slice thinly. Put into a bowl and sprinkle with salt. Let the melon sit for 20 minutes to remove some of the bitterness. After 20 minutes, squeeze out the water. Cut the red pepper in thin slices.
- In a hot wok, heat one tablespoon of the oil. Add the bitter melon, garlic, and ginger and stir-fry for about 3 minutes. Remove the vegetables and put them on a warm serving plate. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the wok, heat and then add the beef strips. Stir over high heat until meat starts to brown but is still pink inside. Add the marinating juices, bean sauce, 1 cup water, and the sugar. Cook for one more minute, but do not overcook. Arrange the beef strips over the vegetables on the platter. Garnish with chopped coriander.
Source: The Edible Asian Garden by Rosalind Creasy
|
|
Grocery Shopping?
Now is the time of year when you will see a lot of local foods in your grocery store. Look for the Minnesota Grown logo while you are out shopping. Don't see any local foods? Ask your produce manager if they could start sourcing more!
|
|
Keep Up with Carrie!
Want to keep up with Minnesota Grown spokesperson Carrie Tollefson? Check out CTolle Run! She has fun videos and updates regularly.
|
|
|
|
|
Sweet Corn
Minnesota sweet corn is here and ready for your summer picnic! Below are tips and tricks from Gilbertson Farms on ways to store and use your sweet corn. YUM!
Tips on Storing Fresh Sweet Corn
- Use your sweet corn all in the same day, or store in the refrigerator in the husks.
- NEVER store your sweet corn in a plastic bag
|
Tips on Freezing Fresh Sweet Corn
- Blanch ears for 6 minutes, cool, and drain.
- Wrap ears individually in moisture, vapor-proof film.
- Pack wrapped ears of corn into plastic freezer bags.
- Seal, label and freeze.
Enjoy fresh corn all winter long!
Fresh Cooked Corn on the Cob
- Bring water to a boil in a large kettle
- While water is boiling, husk fresh sweet corn
- Place clean corn in boiling water
- Cover
- TURN OFF heat
- Leave corn in hot water for 3 to 5 minutes.
Serve with butter, seasonings and plenty of napkins.
Grilled Sweet Corn
- Place Sweet Corn with the husks on in cold water for ½ hour
- Heat grill until goals are red hot
- Remove Sweet Corn from water and pull off silks leaving the husks on.
- Place on the grill.
- Turn every 5 minutes for 20 minutes.
Enjoy with your favorite picnic food!
Corn Casserole
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of fresh sweet corn (cut from the cob)
- 1 can cream style corn
- 1 pkg Jiffy corn bread mix
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 eggs, well beaten
- ½ cup oil
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Directions:
- Mix all ingredients together except cheese.
- Bake 35 - 40 minutes at 350 degrees.
- Top with cheese and bake another 5 - 10 minutes.
|
|
Minnesota Grown at the State Fair
The Minnesota Grown booth at the Minnesota State Fair is used to educate fairgoers about the diversity of Minnesota products and where they can find them. Over the years we have introduced tens of thousands of Minnesotans to local products by handing out Directories and by explaining the benefits of buying local.
Come pick up a Directory at the Minnesota Grown booth in the Ag./Horticulture building. Hope to see you all there!
|
|
Apple Season Update
Minnesota apples were early last year because of the unusually warm weather we had. This year it is just the opposite, as most varieties of apples are 7-10 days later than usual. Minnesota weather is so unpredictable! |
|
Minnesota Cooks at the State Fair
The Minnesota Cooks program is an annual event held at the State Fair in Carousel Park. The program brings together local farmers with some of Minnesota's premier chefs as they demonstrate how they use farm fresh, Minnesota grown ingredients to create award-winning fare for their restaurants. When: Sunday, August 28, 2011 starting at 9a.m. with demonstrations all day long! |
|
Storing Tomatoes
This time of year you will see a lot of fresh tomatoes at the farmers market, so how do you store them? - Never refrigerate your fresh tomatoes because it destroys the texture and flavor.
- Keep tomatoes on your counter top in a cool, dry spot out of direct sunlight.
The Best Fresh Tomato Salsa Recipe Ingredients - 3 cups chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 4 teaspoons chopped fresh jalapeno pepper (including seeds)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions - Stir the tomatoes, green bell pepper, onion, cilantro, lime juice, jalapeno pepper, cumin, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Serve.
Recipe Courtesy of allrecipes.com. |
|
6th Annual MN Garlic Festival
Minnesota Garlic Festival is the premier event for lovers of garlic, great local foods and good times! Family friendly, fun filled and fragrant, this festival features fantastic foods, celebrity chefs, marvelous music, area artisans, goofy games...and lots of GARLIC.
Minnesota Grown is a sponsor of the 6th Annual MN Garlic Festival, which means we will be at the event handing out Minnesota Grown Directories and eating lots of food! Make sure you stop by and say hello!
Where: McLeod County Fairgrounds in Hutchinson
When: Saturday, August 13, 2011
Time: 10 a.m.--6 p.m.
Price: Adults: $5, Kids under 12: $3, Stroller/carried babies: Free
|
|
2011 Home Food Preservation Classes
Basics of Home Canning: Safety First
August 16, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
New Hope City Hall, New Hope
Do you want a cupboard full of home canned fruit and vegetables? Whether you're growing them or buying them, come learn how to can them safely. You will learn what must be pressure canned, equipment needed, and safe canning methods. You will learn the latest procedures for canning fruit, vegetables and meat. This workshop is offered in cooperation with the University of Minnesota Extension.
Contact: Susan Rader (763) 531-5153.
Register online: http://www.nhrecexpress.com/Start/Start.asp?SCheck=892574643&SDT=39809.6698611111
Fee: $10 for New Hope residents; $16 for nonresidents
Instructor: Suzanne Driessen, University of Minnesota Extension Educator in Food Safety
|
|
2011-2012 Minnesota Grown Directory
 The 30th Anniversary edition of the Minnesota Grown Directory includes 900 orchards, farmers' markets, berry farms, garden centers and other great places where you can purchase products directly from the farmer. Order your
FREE copy today by calling 1-888-VISIT-MN (1-888-847-4866). If you have an upcoming event and need a larger quantity, visit MinnesotaGrown.com to order. |
|
Sponsors
The sponsors of the Minnesota Grown Directory make what we do possible. Minnesota Farmers Union is our biggest sponsor. They work to protect and enhance the economic interests and quality of life for family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. They are a nonprofit membership-based organization. Did you know you don't have to be a farmer to be a member of Minnesota Farmers Union? Check it out!
|
|
|
|
|
