Pickled Leeks!

So, wild leek season is just about over, but I wanted to add one more thing. Pickling Leeks.


Pickled leeks are so good and we are finding they go really well with so much!

Here is how my husband did it. (Basically)  He made it up as he went along. (Typical)


First, he cleaned and trimmed the leeks.  Then he mixed a fair amount of white vinegar and water together in a big pot. 2/3 water and 1/3 vinegar.  He simmered it with some salt and a small amount of sugar.  Then he add dill, pepper corn and red pepper flakes. He let all of that cook together while he prepared the properly disinfected canning jars. 

Second, he filled each jar with the brine,  two cloves of garlic and a dried chili pepper. He packed each can with the trimmed, cleaned leeks.

Lastly, the cans where closed and processed in a "canner" for 15 minutes. And then allowed to cool on the counter until we heard the tops make a little popping noise, signaling they had sealed.

Enjoy!

Note:   Please, be careful during the canning process.  We've done it many times before.  If you've never done it before please make sure you've done the reading on how to  safely can.  Have fun!

The Photo Booth

-If you happen to take an interesting picture while you're traveling around Vermont, email it to me.  Include a description, and I'll post it!

A walk in giant ferns.  Ripton

The Photo Booth

-If you happen to take an interesting picture while traveling around Vermont, email it to me.  Include a description and I'll post it.

Camel's Hump. View from Panton

A Lobster Roll in Vermont?

The Salty Cowboy 
 209 North Main st. Rutland


                                                     

Yes, we found a place that makes a very good one!  Vermont really missed out on ocean coast line.  We're the only New England state with out ocean beach.  For a lobster roll lover this is very sad.

There was hardly anyway to improve (except maybe, toasting the roll with butter)  It really felt like I was at a sea food joint in Maine.

My husband decided on the fish and chips.  "The Cowboy" fish and chips is made with tilapia.  Excellent!  Have you found a good place for a lobster roll in Vermont?

Jack in the Pulpit. Ariaema Triphyllum 

Jack in the Pulpit is my favorite Vermont wild flower.  The first time I saw it I thought I must have found something really rare.  Come to find out, it's very common here in the Eastern United States.  Now that I know where to look I see them everywhere!  They grow in the shade, are found in the woods and floodplains and love rich, moist soil.  

I think to truly enjoy these flowers you need to take the time to get down and lift up their "hoods."  You'll see the amazing stripes and the spadix, or spike.  If you look really close, down at the base of the spadix, you'll see tiny flowers or berry like things.

I transferred one flower from the woods to my shade flower bed.  That was about 4 years ago and now I have about 6 growing.  In a flower bed they grow much bigger then they  do in wild.  Just beware while handing, they can be a skin irritant.

Parts of the Jack in the pulpit are edible after being cooked.  I've never done this, but there are directions on the Internet if any of you want to try.  Let me know if you do!

 Vergennes Laundry. A Fantastic cafe!

 

 

 247 Main St. Vergennes

About a year ago our friend Doug told about a new cafe in Vergennes that made the BEST croissant in the whole world....he was right!  I  remember when this use to be a an old laundry mat, now it's a beautiful cafe.  Every detail, right down to the hand typed food labels, are well thought out. 

              

Also, Check out the wood fired breads.

For me, Vergennes Laundry, makes the best hot chocolate I've ever had.  The small size is made with two rich clumps of chocolate, sprinkled with some raw sugar and then combined with fleshly steamed milk! Unbelievable.(Sometimes, I have to get a canele to go with it.)

                                                           

                                                                               Bon Appetit!

Oh growing tomatoes...at 1500 feet!

In the Green Mountains it can be a challenge to grow tomatoes. We live at 15oo feet, so the growing season is a bit shorter then just 5 miles down the mountain road leading to our small town.  Four years ago my husband made three raised beds for a small kitchen garden.  With some tips from  his mother and some innovation, we are slowly  learning some tricks to growing tomato in a short season. 

First thing every spring before we plant, my husband puts up a removable green house he made with PCV pipes and sheets of heavy plastic. This is a view from the inside so you can see how it's connected.

There are plastic PVC pipes that have been screwed into the sides of the beds.  The frame of the green house just pops right in!

 Next we buy the biggest tomatoes plants we can find.  My mother in law taught me to remove the small leaves at the bottom and plant the plant deep into the dirt.  I planted mine about two inches up the stem.  The plant will send out roots up the stem.  It makes for a hardier and healthier tomato plant.  

This year I'm planting tomato plants further apart and in rows.  I'm hoping this helps with air flow.  I've had problems with blight for the past two years.

During the day we leave the sides up and then close them again during some of the chilly spring nights.  I've planted some other herbs and vegetables in there too.  Also, I'm all storing some plants  that I plan on planting out my flower beds, after the "fear of frost".


               

                    
                  Do you have any other ideas?  Let me know!

Golden Russet Farm.  Plant shopping!

Golden Russet Farm is one of the best places to buy plants,  especially vegetable plants.  Everything is organic and pristine.  I've never seen a better selection of tomato plants anywhere!

The address is, 1329 Lapham Bay Road Shorham.  Before you go check out their website at goldenrussetfarm.com-there might be coupons.

It was my friend's first time to Golden Russet.  She was very impressed with the flowers and the fresh herbs.  I bought a bunch of tomato plants, some flowers and herbs. We'll be back soon... for round two!

Wild Asparagus hunting!

This is not a "foraging for wild food" blog, but it's part of the fun during spring in Vermont.  I've never gone wild asparagus hunting (or even seen wild asparagus) but it's been all around me!  Our friend took us around to some of the "hot spots" her Dad took her to as a kid.  Thank you Alenna!

Sometimes the asparagus was hard to spot, so we looked for last years dead growth.  I think later this week will be best hunting time, when they get just a little taller.

 Roast the asparagus with salt, pepper and olive oil for about 15-20 minuets.  Sprinkle with goat cheese and enjoy!

Leeks! and a short, spring walk in our backyard.

Leeks are found in damp, sandy woodlands.  They especially like hillsides.

Warning: Don't eat a raw leek and try to kiss your wife.