Local Classic Pairing

Try a classic cheese and fruit pairing using local products. Serve pears with a blue cheese, perhaps one from Northland Sheep Dairy. The wine is more of a challenge but try a Port from Lakewood, Hunt Country Cream Sherry, or an estate bottled Reisling, such as Treleaven or Sheldrake.

Using Squash Blossoms

Tear squash blossoms into a salad. They have a delicate squash flavor and add beautiful color.

Hang Your Laundry

Take advantage of these sunny breezy days. The dryer is a big energy hog and laundry smells wonderful when it dries in the sun.

Freezing Strawberries

There's not much time left in the season so get to a u-pick field and get a supply to last through the winter so you don't have to buy tasteless strawberries from far, far away. Just clean the berries, top them and lay them out on a cookie sheet. Freeze and then dump into freezer bags. It's that easy.

How To Make Salad Greens Last All Week

Greens from a CSA are too precious to lose so here's how to store them so they last:

Spin them when you get home in a salad spinner and store in plastic bag in the crisper. Put paper towels, in the bottom of your greens bag. A mesh bag helps the breathe.

Courtesy of Full Plate CSA.
 

How to Shell Peas

Break the stem toward the curved side and pull the little string down to the tip. The seam will pop open to reveal all the little peas in a pod. (If your peas are called Snow Peas or Sugar Snap Peas, the pods are edible.)

Planting in May

Spinach, peas, lettuce all love cool weather. They are loving these chilly days. Other things, like beans, need to wait for warmer temperatures.

Egg Substitutes

Making cookies for vegans? Use this easy egg substitute using cupboard ingredients:

For each egg use 2 T flour, 2 T water, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 1/2 T oil.  Mix together and use within a few hours or this will lose its potency.

Another substitute is 2 T ground flaxseed mixed with 3 T water. Extra Omega-3s in that one!

Asparagus Alert!

The first local asparagus has been seen at the Farmer's Market. It has been worth passing supermarket asparagus by and getting as fresh as you can. Of course, if your market happens to be Greenstar here in Ithaca, you can get delicious local asparagus in the produce section.  (There should be a fresh supply coming in tomorrow - Tuesday, May 20.)  Relish the season!