HOW TO GET STARTED
Almost
any traditional Thanksgiving dish can be made with all local ingredients. Remember, the first Thanksgiving feast was
100% Localvore! A good way to get started planning your Localvore feast is to
make a list of the dishes you traditionally make and the ingredients you
traditionally use. Look carefully at that list and see which ingredients are
grown or produced within 100 miles of where you live. Some simple examples
include:
·
Turkey
can be found locally, as can chicken, lamb, beef and other meats
·
Cranberries
(yes there are locally grown cranberries – one place to find them is the
Rutland Natural Food Market: The Co-op)
·
Root
vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, beets, parsnips, turnips, rutabaga, sweet
potatoes, and onions
·
Garlic
and shallots
·
Squashes
and pumpkins
·
Greens
such as kale, Swiss chard, collards, spinach
·
Dairy
such as local milk and cream, local butter, local cheeses
·
Eggs
·
Grains
and beans such as flour, oats, dried beans, cornmeal
·
Herbs
such as parsley, chives, sage, and many many others
·
Apples
·
Wine
and Beer, as well as apple cider
·
Local
Tofu and tempeh is also available
·
Localvore
breads made by local bakers using all local ingredients
Next,
look at some of the substitutions you can make:
·
Melted
butter or lard instead of oil
·
Apple
cider vinegar instead of other kinds of vinegar
·
Maple
syrup or honey instead of sugar
·
Hard
sharp local cheese instead of parmesan cheese
Finally,
look at the ingredients you traditionally use that cannot be found locally (for
example, many nuts, citrus and tropical fruits, chocolate, vanilla, cooking
oils, coffee, etc) and decide which ones you cannot do without. Think carefully
– do you really need to add orange to your cranberry sauce or will it be
delicious without this non-local ingredient? Take a good long look at the list
of ingredients you would prefer not to do without and then chose three to
become your “wild cards” exceptions.
(Remember, you are also “allowed” to take the Marco Polo exceptions of salt and
spices if you so desire.) Chose your wildcard wisely, as they will be the only
non-local ingredients you will use in your Localvore Thanksgiving Feast.
WHERE TO FIND YOUR INGREDIENTS
How
lucky we are to live in Rutland County, where our rich agricultural land
produces an abundance of locally grown and produced foods - and our
marketplaces are brimming with local bounty. Some places to find a great
selection of local foods include:
·
The Rutland Winter Farmers
Market
– open every Saturday from 9am through 2pm. Find local growers and producers
from around Rutland County.
·
Local Farms and Farmstands - You can find a
comprehensive list of farms, farm-stands, and places to buy local food and
goods on the Rutland Area Farm and Food Link (RAFFL) website - http://www.rutlandfarmandfood.org
- or pick up a copy of their “buying guide” next time you are at the Farmers
Market or Co-op.
·
Local Food Co-ops – You can find local food at Co-ops in
Rutland, Shrewsbury, Poultney and more.
·
You can find many Vermont-made foods at local
supermarket chain stores and specialty shops.
THANKSGIVING
LOCALVORE RECIPES
What
follows are a few great Localvore Recipes to make your Thanksgiving meal local
and delicious. There are many resources on the web, including the Rutland Area
Farm and Food Link ( http://www.rutlandfarmandfood.org)
and Sustainable Rutland (http://www.sustainablerutland.org).
Another one of our favorites is http://eatlocalvermont.org.
Please these out – and add your favorite recipe to the RAFFL site!
Localvore Cranberry Sauce
1
cup Vermont Cranberry company cranberries
1/4
cup water
1/4
cup maple syrup
Cook carefully for about 5 minutes, stirring
occasionally, until the cranberries ”pop”.
Cool
to room temperature and serve.
Localvore Roasted
Vegetables
Local
Potatoes (cubed)
Local
Parsnips (cut into chunks)
Local
Garlic (whole cloves, or if too large, cut in half or thirds)
Local Onions (cubed)
Local Onions (cubed)
Local
Carrots (cut into chunks)
Local
Butternut Squash (peeled and cubed)
Combine
all vegetables in a roasting pan. Toss with melted local butter (or oil) and
salt and pepper. Roast at 375 degrees until all vegetables are soft but not
mushy (30-40 minutes, depending on size of pieces).
Baked Stuffed Squash
(Adapted
from Moosewood Cookbook)
2
medium winter squash, halved and pre-baked
2T.
local butter (or oil)
1
C. minced onion
1
large clove garlic, minced
1/4
c. celeriac, minced
1/2
tsp. salt
lots
of black pepper
1/2
tsp. sage
1/2 tsp. thyme
1/2
tsp. nutmeg
1/2
T cider vinegar
1/2
cup local butternuts, chopped (or use walnuts)
2
c. good bread crumbs (made from local bread)
1
c. grated cheddar, packed (optional)
Sauté
onions in butter 5 minutes. Add garlic, celeriac and seasonings and sauté about
10 min. Stir in remaining ingredients and mix
well. Taste to correct seasonings.
Fill the squash halves and bake, covered, at 350 F until heated through.
(20-30 minutes. Triple the recipe if using a big blue hubbard squash; fill one
half and whip the other half with butter for a side dish.
Mashed Potatoes
Use your favorite traditional mashed potato recipe using locally grown potatoes, local milk (or cream) and butter. Add locally grown roasted garlic, if desired.
Sweet Potatoes
Use
your favorite sweet potato recipes using locally grown sweet potatoes and maple
syrup instead of sugar.
Baked Winter Squash
and Apples with Maple Syrup
2
1/2 to 2 3/4 pounds local winter squash (about 2 medium), peeled, seeded, cut
lengthwise into 8 wedges, then crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices (about 6
cups)
2
pounds local apples, peeled, quartered, cored, cut crosswise into
1/4-inch-thick slices (about 6 cups)
3/4
cup dried local cranberries
Freshly
grated nutmeg
3/4
cup local maple syrup
1/4
cup (1/2 stick) butter, cut into pieces
1
tsp cider vinegar
Preheat
oven to 350°F. Cook squash in large pot of boiling salted water until almost
tender, about 3 minutes. Drain well. Combine squash, apples and cranberries in
buttered 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish.
Season generously with nutmeg, salt and pepper. Combine maple syrup, butter and
cider vinegar in heavy small saucepan. Whisk over low heat until butter melts.
Pour syrup over squash mixture and toss to coat evenly. Bake until squash and
apples are very tender, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Cool 5 minutes.
(Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with foil; chill. Re-warm covered in 350°F.
oven about 30 minutes.)
Lilac Deli Maple
Cornbread
From
Upper Valley Food Co-op newsletter
Preheat
oven to 400 degrees F.
3
cups local whole wheat bread flour (I prefer half of the flour to be pastry flour)
2
cups local cornmeal
2
T. baking powder
1
tsp. salt
2
local eggs
1
1/2 cups local milk (one and one half cups milk)
1/2
cup maple syrup (one half cup maple syrup)
8
T. melted local butter
In
one bowl whisk together dry ingredients.. In another bowl whisk wet
ingredients. Add wet to dry and mix until just blended. Butter 2 9-inch pie
pans or cake pans. Spread batter evenly. Bake for 20-25
Bacon, Apple and
Fennel Stuffing
From
Bon Appétit | November 2008
1
pound local bacon slices, coarsely chopped
10
cups local bread, cubed in 1” pieces
2
3/4 cups (or more) chicken broth, divided
1/4
cup local butter
4
cups finely chopped local onions
6
cups 1/2-inch pieces peeled cored sweet-tart local heirloom apples
2
cups finely chopped fresh local fennel bulbs
1
cup finely chopped celery or celeriac
1
teaspoon coarse kosher salt
3/4
teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3
large local eggs, beaten to blend
2/3
cup chopped fresh local parsley, divided
Preheat
oven to 350°F. Spread bread cubes on 2 large rimmed baking sheets. Toast until
light golden and crisp around edges, about 20 minutes. Cool completely. Preheat
oven to 425°F. Combine bacon and 4 cups water in large saucepan; bring to boil.
Reduce heat; simmer 10 minutes. Drain, discarding liquid. Place bacon in large
roasting pan. Pour 2 cups chicken broth over. Roast until broth evaporates and
bacon begins to crisp around edges, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes. Meanwhile,
melt butter in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and 1
cup water; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until water evaporates,
stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; sauté until
onions are soft, about 5 minutes longer. Remove roasting pan with bacon from
oven; reduce oven temperature to 375°F. Mix cooked onions, apples, fennel, and
celery into bacon in roasting pan. Roast until apples and all vegetables are
tender, stirring occasionally, about 1 hour. Cool slightly. DO AHEAD: Can be
made 1 day ahead. Store toasted bread in large resealable plastic bags. Chill
bacon-apple mixture uncovered until cool, then cover and keep chilled. Let
stand at room temperature 1 hour before continuing. Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter
13x9x2- inch glass baking dish. Combine toasted bread, 3/4 cup chicken broth,
and bacon apple mixture in very large bowl. Mix in 1 teaspoon coarse salt and
3/4 teaspoon pepper. Mix in eggs, then 1/2 cup parsley. Add more chicken broth
by 1/4 cupfuls if mixture is dry. Transfer to prepared dish. Cover dish with
buttered foil; bake 35 minutes. Uncover; bake until top is browned, about 30
minutes longer. Sprinkle with remaining parsley.
Kale with SAUTÉED
Apple and Onion
From
Gourmet | December 2000
1
tart local apple
2
tablespoons local butter
1
medium local onion, cut into 1/4-inch wedges
1/4
teaspoon curry powder
1
lb local kale, leaves coarsely chopped
1/2
cup water
Peel,
quarter, and core apple, then cut into 1/4-inch-thick wedges.Heat butter in a
5-quart pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté
onion, stirring occasionally, until golden. Add apple and curry powder and
sauté, stirring, until apple is almost tender, about 2 minutes. Add kale and
water and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until kale is tender and most
of liquid is evaporated, about minutes. Season with salt.
Brussels Sprout
Gratin with Breadcrumb Topping
Adapted
from Bon Appétit | November 2008
3
pounds Brussels sprouts, trimmed, quartered lengthwise
2
3/4 cups local heavy cream
1/2
cup chopped shallots or garlic
1
tablespoon chopped fresh sage
11/2
tablespoons local butter
1/2
cup plain dry breadcrumbs (make using local bread)
2
tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
3
cups grated local hard cheese, divided
Fill
large bowl with ice and cold water. Cook Brussels sprouts in large pot of
generously salted boiling water about 5 minutes till crisp-tender. Drain.
Transfer vegetables to bowl of ice water to cool. Drain well. Combine cream,
shallots, and sage in large saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; simmer until
mixture is reduced to 21/2 cups, about 10 minutes. Season with salt. Remove
from heat. Cool slightly. Heat butter in large nonstick skillet over medium
heat. Add breadcrumbs; stir until beginning to brown, about 2 minutes. Transfer
to bowl; cool. Stir in parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Butter 13x9x2-inch
glass baking dish; arrange half of vegetables in dish. Sprinkle with salt and
pepper, then 1 1/2 cups cheese. Arrange remaining vegetables evenly over, then
sprinkle with remaining1 1/2 cups cheese. Pour cream mixture evenly over. DO
AHEAD: Bread crumb topping and gratin can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately
and chill. Bring to room temperature before continuing. Preheat oven to 375°F.
Cover gratin with foil. Bake covered 40 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle breadcrumb
topping over and bake uncovered 15 minutes longer.
sweet potatoes,
apples, and Winter greens
From
Epicurious | November 2007
4
medium local sweet potatoes, peeled and cut lengthwise into quarters, then cut
crosswise into 1/8-inch slices
5
tablespoons unsalted local butter, plus 3 tablespoons melted
1
tablespoon fine sea salt
2
teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
3
medium local baking apples
6
cups loosely packed braising greens such as kale, chard, or collard greens,
stems removed and torn into 2-inch strips
1/4
cup loosely packed fresh parsley leaves, coarsely chopped
Preheat
oven to 400°F. On foil-lined baking sheet, toss potato slices with 3
tablespoons melted butter, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Bake until
cooked through and slightly caramelized, about 20 minutes. Keep warm. In heavy
medium skillet over moderate heat, melt 3 tablespoons butter. Add apples and
sauté until tender and golden brown, about 15 minutes. Keep warm. In heavy
large pot over moderate heat, combine remaining 2 tablespoons butter and 3
tablespoons water. Add greens and sauté, stirring occasionally, until wilted,
about 5 minutes. Lower heat to moderately low and add sweet potatoes and
apples. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, 3 to 4
minutes. Stir in parsley, remaining 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons
pepper. Serve hot. Bake until cooked through and slightly caramelized, about 20
minutes. Keep warm.
Creamy Turnip Soup
with Carrot Julienne
From
Bon Appétit | December 1995
3
tablespoons butter
2
leeks, thinly sliced (white and pale green parts only)
1
medium onion, thinly sliced
5
turnips (about 2 1/2 pounds), peeled, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1
medium russet potato, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
5
cups (or more) canned low-salt chicken broth
1
3/4 cups milk
1/4
cup whipping cream
Pinch
of ground nutmeg
2
carrots, cut into matchstick-size strips
1
turnip, peeled, cut into matchstick-size strips
2
tablespoons chopped fresh dill
Melt
butter in heavy large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add leeks and onion and
sauté until onion is translucent, about 12 minutes. Add 5 sliced turnips and
potato and sauté 2 minutes. Add 5 cups broth. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to
medium-low and simmer until vegetables are very tender, about 30 minutes. Puree
soup in blender in batches until very smooth. Return to Dutch oven. Add milk
and cream. Bring to simmer. Season to taste with nutmeg, salt and pepper. (Can
be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.) Cook carrot and turnip strips
in pot of boiling salted water until just crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Drain.
Bring soup to simmer, thinning with more broth if necessary. Ladle into bowls.
Garnish with carrot strips, turnip strips and chopped fresh dill.
Scalloped Potatoes
1
1/2 cup (packed) grated extra-sharp local cheddar cheese (about 8 ounces)
4
pounds local russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
1
1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2
teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4
cup finely chopped local onion
3
tablespoons all purpose local flour
4
tablespoons (1/2 stick) local butter
3
cups local whole milk
Preheat
oven to 400°F. Lightly butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish.
Arrange
half of potatoes in prepared baking dish, overlapping slightly. Sprinkle with
teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Sprinkle onion over, then flour. Dot
with 2 tablespoons butter. Sprinkle half of cheese over. Top with remaining
potatoes, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and 2 tablespoons butter.
Reserve remaining cheese.
Bring
milk to simmer in medium saucepan. Pour milk over potatoes (milk will not cover
potatoes completely). Cover baking dish tightly with foil. Bake 45 minutes.
Uncover dish (liquids in dish may look curdled); sprinkle potatoes with
reserved cheese. Bake uncovered until potatoes are tender and cheese is deep
golden brown, about 45 minutes longer. (Can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Let
stand at room temperature. Cover and re-warm in 375°F oven about 20 minutes.)
Remove from oven; let stand 15 minutes before serving.
DESSERTS
Maple Apple Pie
6
cups peeled, sliced local apples
2-5
T Vermont maple syrup (riper apples require less syrup)
3
T flour (Gleason Grain is 100% Localvore
flour)
1
tsp cinnamon
1/4
tsp. salt
1/4
cup local apple cider
1
T local butter
2
uncooked 9" pie crusts (or make your own pie crusts with local pastry
flour and butter (or lard)
Mix
together apples, flour, cinnamon, and salt and fill bottom shell. Drizzle syrup
over the top, add cider, dot with butter, and cover with second pastry shell.
Cut several slashes in top crust. Bake in preheated oven at 425º F for 10
minutes. Reduce heat to 375º and bake about 35 minutes. Delicious served with
Butterworks heavy cream whipped to perfection!
Maple Pumpkin
Pie
From
"The Official Vermont Maple Cookbook," Second Edition, published by
the Vermont Maple Foundation.
1-1/3
cups cooked, mashed pumpkin or squash
3/4
cup Pure Vermont Maple Syrup (preferably Grade B )
1-1/2
cups local milk
1
teaspoon cinnamon
1/2
teaspoon nutmeg
1
unbaked pie shell (or make your own pie crusts with local pastry flour and
butter (or lard)
2
local eggs
1
Tablespoon local flour
1
teaspoon salt
1/8
teaspoon ginger
Beat
or blend all ingredients thoroughly together. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake
in 350 degree oven 45 minutes or just until firm in the middle. Delicious served with whipped local cream
sweetened with maple syrup. (Can be baked as a pudding.)