McIntosh apples from Tonnemaker Family Orchards at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)
Happy Autumn, everyone! I love this time of year, when fall’s bounty is rolling in, and my summer favorites are still available. I’ve got apple cider in the fridge, and we still have peaches on the counter. My current favorite treat is grilled peaches, (halve a firm-ripe large peach, remove the pit. Sprinkle a little brown sugar and balsamic vinegar on top, let sit while you heat your grill or eat your dinner. Grill on medium heat cut side up about 5 minutes. Serve with slivered basil leaves, chevre, more balsamic or vanilla ice cream,) but sometimes I can’t be bothered to fire up the grill, so I just slice one up and toss it in a pan sprayed with Pam. Layer it on top of a slice of toast with your favorite nut butter (I like Justin’s Honey Almond Butter), and it is like a gourmet PB&J. I had one for breakfast this morning and it was so tasty, I had another!
Another favorite from the market is apple sausages with sauteed kale and fresh apple sauce. Easy, easy, easy! No recipe, just cook them up with whatever you like. I like nutmeg in my apple sauce and oil and garlic in my kale.
Today’s market will have loads of delicious apples and pears, nutritious greens and lovely baked goods from our three delicious bakeries: Grand Central, Snohomish and Manini’s Gluten Free.
Sampling Table: Taste the Difference – Apples or Pears
Music: Hot Cider String Band http://www.facebook.com/hotciderstringband
Children’s Table: Amazing Squashes
Winter squash from Hand-Farmed Organics at the Mercer Island Farmers Market on September 18, 2011. (Photo by Joel Wachs)
Hey Islanders, let us cook for you on October 4th! Please join us for a delicious “Fall Harvest”community dinner from 5:30-7:00 pm at a new location, Mercer Island Presbyterian Church. Chef Tom from Experience Food Project http://www.experiencefoodproject.org/staff.html will be creating a mouth-watering menu that the whole family will love:
Butternut Squash Soup
Harvest Chicken with Roasted Fall Vegetables
Garden Medley Salad
Apple Crisp
Entertainment provided by MI’s own Sophie Feldman
Admission is first come, first served and by donation. Suggested donation is $10 per adult. We hope to see you there!
Mercer Island Food Revolution is an island-wide group with representatives from Lakeridge, West Mercer, Island Park, IMS, the High School and MIPA PTAs who advocating to improve the quality of school lunches in our district. We encouraged our district’s food service to provide fewer dessert items and more fruits and vegetables. Our ultimate goal for school lunches: freshly prepared using organic, local ingredients when possible. We are also advocating for healthier, more delicious food choices for snacks at school and sports practices and opportunities to learn about healthy eating. We have partnered with Experience Food Project, a local nonprofit, to bring cooking classes and community dinners to our island to help kick start our revolution.
With our encouragement the district has eliminated high fructose corn syrup and is serving wheat bread, buns and rolls as well as more fresh fruits and vegetables when possible.
To learn more about Mercer Island Food Revolution and RSVP visit usathttp://www.facebook.com/events/442891635748572/
