Homegrown Happy Valley

Warning: Unlike just about everything else you read in this blog, the following information will not make you hungry.

Food Inc., a new movie that investigates the food industry and may leave you feeling a tad uncomfortable about what you’re serving your families, is coming to the State Theatre August 21st, with showings until the 27th.

When it comes to souvenirs, the ones I collect from my summer travels disappear quicker than a sand castle on a busy beach. I love searching for “local produce” signs on my trips and collecting whatever is in season.  Right now I’m in Virginia on a quick family weekend enjoying local peaches, corn, and tomatoes. Later in the month, I’m traveling to the Pacific Northwest. I’m dreaming of the spectacular landscape, but just as excited to see what the farmers markets will provide for dinner.

HOT ITEMS OF THE WEEK:

• raspberries
• corn
• tomatoes

April serves up delicious swiss chard rolls with a smile at Webster's

1) How did you get interested in cooking?

Since I was little, I’ve always been interested in mixing things and playing around in the kitchen. I have memories of my mom always making food. I don’t ever remember eating frozen dinners or anything like that. I became interested in working with the food that I prepare now when I became a vegetarian 18 years ago.

2) What inspires you?

Week 10 brings the Central PA Local Foods Week & Farm Tour and National Farmers Market Week. So get out there and support local foods!

Ever paint with a garlic scape? In celebration of Local Foods Week, Homegrown Happy Valley is using the best of the summer harvest to help kids make some groovy artwork.  We had a blast at the Millheim market on Saturday, creating beautiful paintings and meeting some Homegrown fans. (I’m looking forward to a return visit with lunch at  Elk Creek Cafe afterwards.) Join us at the Boalsburg Market on Tuesday from 2-5 and see what you can create by painting with veggies!

~Homegrown Happy Valley will be featuring guest bloggers during our Eat Local Challenge to allow others to share their experiences. This week Kristin Leitzel shares her passion for local food and why this week is the perfect time to get out and eat local.  Kristin is the Conference Program Coordinator for PASA, Centre County Buy Fresh Buy Local guru, and supporter of all things local.

There are two things I love more than (almost) anything. I love a fresh basil and tomato sandwich on Gemelli’s french country bread. I also love peaches. Well, blueberries, too. And fresh green beans are hard to beat. A good head of broccoli is a fine spectacle, come to think of it.

Every time my son and I go to the grocery store, he asks me to buy peaches. My typical answer: “Sorry bud, let’s wait until we see them at the farmer’s market–they aren’t in season for us yet.” Now that he’s used to that response, he’ll ask whether other foods are in season, too. The wait makes the reward even sweeter. When he finally spotted his beloved peaches at the market this week, he looked like a kid who had just walked into a candy store.

What food do you look forward to all summer long? Tell us in the comments below.

Summer is the easiest and hardest time to cook. Our CSA boxes and farmer’s market bags are exploding with vegetables, yet countless diversions–the beach, the pool, sign-ups for fall activities–keep us from actually doing anything with them. In a nod to summer’s hectic schedule (and the always present goal of preparing good local food) most of our dishes this week are fast and easy.

How did you transform your local food into quick meals?

HOT ITEMS OF THE WEEK:

• corn
• tomatoes
• peas

ON THE MENU:

Day 1

Tortilla pie served with garlicky kale

~Homegrown Happy Valley will be featuring guest bloggers during our Eat Local Challenge to allow others to share their experiences. This week Celeste Olmstead shares the secret to getting a big harvest out of a small space.  Celeste is a mom, former writer for Penn State, and supporter of all things local.

Festival fun plus the arrival of more amazing local produce equals a great week to live in Happy Valley. With good tunes in my head and kettle corn in my belly, I see chocolate zucchini cake in my near future.

It’s hard to believe that it’s mid-July and that “Local Foods Week” (sponsored by PASA) is around the corner (August 1-8). More on that soon; in the meantime, tell us what you did with your bounty for the Eat Local Challenge.

HOT ITEMS OF THE WEEK:

• sun gold tomatoes
• blueberries
• zucchini

ON THE MENU:

Day 1

If your summer camp memories include putting up with snoring bunkmates, running endless laps in the sweltering heat, or singing kumbaiyah for the hundredth time, do your kid a favor and give her something different. Even though my daughter is a few years away from attending summer camp, I’m researching options now so I won’t have to read about it on her blog later.

Paying attention to fun alternatives to the more traditional summer camps, I discovered some local options that incorporate fun and education, not to mention an artistic flair and a pinch of something unique.  These are all offered at area venues and started by locals looking to spread their love of art, music or cooking to a younger set. Last time we checked, there were still slots available.