Thanksgiving is just a few days away and it’s time to set the table. First off, the veggies. Start the meal with a salad of local lettuce and goat cheese from a nearby dairy or creamery. Serve alongside bread from the farmers market for the beginnings of a beautiful meal.
Root vegetables reign supreme, with beets, turnips, and carrots making an appearance at farmers markets this week. Sweet potatoes are abundant this time of year and make a great side dish when roasted and glazed with brown sugar. Broccoli is often sweeter after the first frost and tastes wonderful with a little parmesan cheese on top.
Try making your own stuffing by toasting local bread and combining with butter, fresh herbs, and eggs from a nearby farm. Add some apples and sausage, if you like. Mashed potatoes are a crowd favorite and easy to find this time of year.
Now what about the main event? Most farms require reservations for Thanksgiving turkeys, so it may not be possible to get a local turkey this week. But never fear: there are other options for intrepid cooks. A whole ham, rabbit, leg of lamb, trout, or standing rib roast can all be found locally, and there are several plant-based proteins for sale at farmers markets as well.
So many local bakeries make pies it’s hard to count, but seeking out an apple or pumpkin pie at a farmers market is a good way to connect with bakers. You may want to call ahead to reserve your pie.
These are just a few ideas to get you started this Thanksgiving. Find more ways to eat local for the holidays at www.fromhere.org.
Aired: November 20, 2017