Picking
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As We Fish and Farm

I came to Newfoundland for the first time just over four years ago. I can still vividly recall taking the ferry across from Nova Scotia in the late winter, listening to the groaning sounds of the ice around the boat. Within two months of arriving I made my first trip to Bonne Bay, a remote fjord on the west coast of the island. I went to learn about the food system and fisheries in the region as part of a PhD program I was beginning at Memorial University that fall.

As We Fish and Farm
Picking, Preparing
admin
DIY Maple Syrup

Maple syrup conjures up images of towering arboretums in places like Quebec or Vermont, but it’s a little known secret that the rugged and hardy maple trees of Newfoundland make darn fine maple syrup. With nothing more than a half dozen maple trees, some old salt beef containers and a handful of 25 cent metal tree taps, you’re good to go and can expect to end up with over a dozen bottles of hand made maple syrup.

DIY Maple Syrup
Picking, Planting, Preparing
Andreae C
My front yard grocery store
My front yard grocery store
Events, Picking, Planting
Costa Kasimos
Bits and Pieces: Along the Shore

Spectacular vistas, whales breaching, ice bergs floating by, and a foragers paradise. We are blessed with many wilderness areas that offer abundant edible plants. I rarely go on a hike without stopping to have a little taste of this or that. In this post, I will touch upon some of the edibles currently available in our wonderful wilderness.

Bits and Pieces: Along the Shore
Planting
Matthew Middleton
Growing In A Potato Box

Thanks to the listing from Seeds of Diversity, I was able to locate a gentleman in Newfoundland who has a great deal of experience growing a wide variety of potatoes here. Last week, I recieved by my set of samples from George, and here's what my benefactor told me about the varieties:

Red Dutch: A very dry, yellow flesh red from Holland in the 1940’s. An excellent potato. Late maturing.

Northern White: A white flesh variety, from Quebec apparently, from the early 1900’s. Very high yield. Good taste.

Growing In A Potato Box

Preparing

Local Turkeys

turkey.jpg

Are you hoping to eat locally raised turkey this Thanksgiving?

Here are some tips and resources:

  • Find poultry farms in the NL Farm Guide and on avalonfresh.ca and either contact producers to purchase directly if they do that or find out where they retail.
  • Ask butchers and grocery stores where they source their turkeys from. Suggest that they stock local turkeys if they don't already and share the NL Farm Guide and avalonfresh.ca with them.
  • Talk to producers at their farm stands or farmers' markets. Some vegetable producers may also raise poultry but don't bring it to market. Producers could also connect you with other farms in the area.
  • Don't be afraid to ask questions about how the turkeys were raised if that is important to you. Inform yourself and build relationships with producers that you trust.
  • It's now just a week away, but for future holiday meals order turkeys early because farms sell out. Turkeys freeze well so you could buy extra now to have for the winter holidays too.
  • As an alternative try using other poultry available locally, like chickens or ducks, or host a vegetarian Thanksgiving using the bounty of local vegetables and fruits available this time of year. There are great recipes on the blog!
  • Don't feel like cooking? Check newspapers and community bulletins to find public meals happening this weekend and look for ones that raise funds to benefit your community. You can also find restaurants through eDining that offer local fare and are having Thanksgiving events.

Post a comment to let people know where you buy local turkeys from, or to share your favourite cooking tips and recipes. Happy eating! There's certainly a lot of local food to be thankful for in this province!

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DIY Maple Syrup

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DIY Maple Syrup

Maple syrup conjures up images of towering arboretums in places like Quebec or Vermont, but it’s a little known secret that the rugged and hardy maple trees of Newfoundland make darn fine maple syrup. With nothing more than a half dozen maple trees, some old salt beef containers and a handful of 25 cent metal tree taps, you’re good to go and can expect to end up with over a dozen bottles of hand made maple syrup.

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Kohlrabi Revealed

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Kohlrabi Revealed

Kohlrabi is a mysterious thing. When it comes on the scene at farmers’ markets it sits patiently, waiting for some adventurous or familiar person to scoop it up. If you haven’t acquainted yourself with kohlrabi just yet, you might find that it’s a great way to mix up your local food selections. Try these recipes and preparation techniques to make the most of this odd vegetable.

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Greens Garden Update & Salad for Supper

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Greens Garden Update & Salad for Supper

I didn't get my garden started until way, way late this year, basically too late for most things to root or fruit to maturity, although you never know with the warm summer we've had. So because of that I decided to focus on greens and planted a lot of random ones really densely together in a 6' x 6' raised bed to make a big lovely sprout and baby greens garden.