Monday I went down to Toronto for the Royal Winter Fair and it was a delight. Gale from Uncle Richard's was exhibiting there, and people were enjoying her Grey County maple products. I met a lot of people and will be bringing lots of delicious Ontario products to Around the Sound - cranberries, mustards, flavoured oils, "apple pie in a jar" and some other surprises. Of course I told everyone that if a Grey-Bruce producer brought in anything just as good, I'd be stocking the local product, so put your creative culinary minds to work.
I also tasted some delicious new cheeses - this week I'll have a medium goat cheddar, with some others to follow. We'll be sampling Millbank's brick with jalepeno peppers this week, as well as Axel's pecorino. The name of this semi-soft cheese comes from the Italian word pecora, meaning simply "sheep". It grates and melts nicely, and is delicious on spaghetti squash tossed with a little olive oil, fresh or dried basil and orgegano and fresh ground pepper. Pecorino is also perfect for the end of a meal, with pears and walnuts (look for them in the cooler) or drizzled with a flavourful honey. People have asked for Chatsworth's Autumn Blossom honey and we still have some, and I'm assured we'll soon have more Sunnyside honey butter too.
A new supply of garlic arrived from Arran Hill - remember to keep it in the coolest driest place you have to assure the longest possible storage. Or immediately chop it up and add it to olive oil or our organic butter and use it on Kelsey's rustic Italian loaf. Serve it with a big bowl of Maria's basil pasta topped with the Pickle Guy's mild or zesty sauce, or with whole wheat spaghetti with Prairie Harvest organic sauces - portabello mushroom, garden vegetable or roasted garlic. And here we are, back at the cheese again.
Sean's new hens are laying small eggs this week. In factory farms, these are the eggs that go to processors for mayonnaise, adhesives,baked goods and animal feed. Smaller local farms don't have these markets for small eggs,so we'll have them on special for you - two dozen for $4.00
New Moon Ginger Snappers are hard to keep on the shelf - try making an ice cream sandwich with two cookies and Mapleton's Organic ginger ice cream in between. MoMints with chocolate ice cream? Goldies with strawberry ice cream?
Look for the latest Small Farm magazine on the shelf in the produce room. It has a special section on seed sources and catalogues, so you can start planning for spring!
Next Friday is the opening of the Festival of Northern Lights at 6 p.m. and the Santa Claus parade is Saturday at 10. Plan to shop earlier Thursday or Friday, or park in our lot for either event, enjoy the festivities and shop afterward. We'll have Santa specials, hot drinks and samples. And remember Around the Sound gift certificates and customized gift baskets fit all sizes, tastes and budgets.
Around the Sound Local Food Market is open Thursday and Friday from 10 until 7 and Saturday from 10 until 4.
Call ahead for your bread or delivery, or email us at aroundsoundfood@gmail.com.
See you soon.
Anne
519-370-2333
www.aroundthesoundfood@gmail.com