Pumpkins from Nehmer's Produce. (North Pinckney St.) --Photo by Bill Lubing 

Fresh Cranberry Pie;
Autumn Chicken with
Harvest Vegetables

Adapted from

  www.food.com

 


It's Autumn. There are leaves all over the ground and the garden needs to be put to bed for the winter. After a hard day outside in the crisp air, you open the door to the hearty aroma of chicken, vegetables fresh from the harvest, and fresh thyme. This dish will warm your bones, fill your tummy and make you smile inside and out. Very easy to prepare.

[Editor's Note: As the recipe indicates, you can use cornstarch as a thickener. A roux is another option, albeit a little more work. In our cooking we strongly prefer the use of a roux rather than using cornstarch. To us it just tastes better. [ROUX RECIPES]]

Ingredients

• 1 cup butternut squash, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1 parsnip, sliced 1/4-inch thick
• 1 celery, sliced thin diagonally
• 2 carrots, cut diagonally 1/4-inch thick
• 1/2 cup leek, sliced
• 1/4 cup cranberries, whole
• 4 chicken thighs, visible fat removed (optionally skinless. Check with your favorite DCFM chicken vendor for options)
• 1/2 cup chicken broth (Available from Jordandal Farms)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 3 fresh thyme sprigs
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (See editor's note above) 
• 1 tablespoon cold water

Directions

1. Mix together prepared squash, parsnips, celery and carrots. Place into the bowl of a crock pot.
2. Separate the leek slices into rings and arrange over the vegetable mixture. Sprinkle with cranberries, then place the chicken thighs on top.
3. Mix broth with the salt and pepper, and pour over the contents. Lay the sprigs of thyme on top.
4. Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 7 hours or until the meat has completely cooked. This will depend largely on the size of the thighs.
5. Remove the chicken from the pot, and set aside. Turn crock pot to HIGH.
6. In a small cup, mix together the cornstarch and cold water. Stir into the vegetables and broth. Return the chicken to the pot. (See editor's note above.) 
7. Cook on high for approximately 20 minutes, to thicken the sauce.
8. Serve with fresh bread -- bought from the DCFM, because you've already worked hard enough today. :).

Celeriac, carrots, and beets from the DCFM.
--Photo by Bill Lubing

We strive to keep this list as accurate as possible. We probably  missed an item or two that is at the market or listed an item as available when it is not. Chances are that not all items mentioned or listed below will be at each market.  If you see an item at the market that is not listed here please email bill@dcfm.org so we may update the list. 

      

 

 

Return to 'In This Issue' Contents 

 

 

Flavorful popcorn from Steinke Farm Market.
(North Pinckney St.) --Photo by Bill Lubing

 

This past Tuesday I returned from a trip to the Greater City of Mantova (Mantua) area of Italy. Mantova and Madison, WI are sister cities that enjoy a long association.

A trip to Madison earlier this summer through the sister city association included a visit to the DCFM by members of the Consorzio Agrituristico Mantovano. When members returned to Italy, the Consorzio Agrituristico Mantovano extended an invitation to the DCFM to share information about our market with members of the Consorzio, public officials, and market vendors.

(Left) Mantova Vice Mayor Germano Tommasini, Mayor Dimitri Melli of Pegognaga (MN) and representative of Anci Mantova, Bill Lubing, Marco Boschetti, director of Consorzio Agrituristico Mantovano. --Photo by Consorzio Agrituristico Mantovano

At a seminar held on Monday, Oct. 22 I made a presentation that provided an overview of the DCFM. The room was packed with Mantova Area producers anxious to hear how we did things in the U.S., especially at the DCFM.

While visiting various producers and markets and through discussions with Consorzio staff it was clear that much innovation, dedication, and enthusiasm for the local foods and farmers' markets could be found on both continents.

The consensus reached was that both parties shared valuable information that has the potential to make the markets on both continents a better place for the vendors, buyers, and communities in general.

We confirmed our belief in the common goal of keeping the foundation of our markets centered on the "producer only" concept, with the one who sells it being the one who produces it.

There is a comfortable familiarity with the Mantova Farmers' Market, yet the differences from ours are striking and exciting. --Photo by Bill Lubing

Marco Boschetti, director of the Consorzio, along with public officials, presented the DCFM with a plaque and inscription acknowledging and encouraging the ongoing sharing of information between the two organizations. The hope is to build better markets and further the goal of making locally raised products a part of everyone's menu planning. When markets share information, everyone benefits.

Visiting with a number of producers at their facilities, I witnessed the same innovation and pride I see in our own area. The enthusiastic attitude of the producers gave me the same warm feeling and sense of sharing I receive from DCFM vendors.

 It was an unexpected honor to be asked to represent the DCFM in Italy. For that I thank the DCFM board and members of the market for their confidence in me. It was a joy and awesome privilege to accept the plaque on behalf of the members of the Dane County Farmers' Market. There is no doubt that sharing ideas will make both markets stronger.

In the meantime, Italian language lessons start in January!


Until next week.