What's Fresh Now — August 2011

FRESH PICKS

It's a Sesquicentennial Celebration (that's 150 years) at Nelson Ranch near Olympia, WA on Saturday, August 27 from 1 — 4 PM. If you're looking to experience a real piece of American farm life, this one's for you and here's why. Heritage farms like Nelson are an integral piece of our agricultural framework. By heritage, we mean farms that have been in the family and farming for multiple generations; a rare breed these days. What's on tap? Free hayrides, barn and vineyard tours, heritage displays and live music.

Our other top pick this month is the first ever Slow Roots Festival on Saturday and Sunday, August 27 & 28 at the Stanwood Camano Community Fairgrounds. Great national, local and family entertainment with a well-seasoned ear towards the roots of American music with the likes of Dave Alvin, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Los Straitjackets and many more. And then there's food — not your typical festival fare — you'll find local, organic and gourmet selections, a farmers market, chef demos and seminars. Tickets available at Brown Paper Tickets.

DOWN ON THE FARM — Canter-Berry Farms

By Sarah Graham

When I arrived at Canter-Berry Farms to talk with co-owner Clarissa Metzler Cross, she had coffee and still-warm, fresh baked blueberry coffee cake waiting for me. The welcoming atmosphere in Canter-Berry's adorable farm store was as warm as the [incredibly delicious] cake.

Canter-Berry is tucked at the base of an imposing cliff face on a beautiful country road that winds through the Green River Valley in Auburn, WA. Owners Doug and Clarissa sustainably grow eight varieties of blueberries that possess a wide spectrum of flavor — from tart and citrusy to spicy. In any normal summer, Canter-Berry's U-pick business would be peaking by now but we all know this is no ordinary summer. However, as of now, fresh berries are ready to pick (at $2.00 per pound, what a deal); you can find regular updates on their website.

Lucky for us, Canter-Berry's blueberries can be enjoyed year-round, regardless of Mother Nature's mood, in an array of blueberry products produced on site and sold throughout the year at their farm and Pike Place Market (Tables D-5 & D-6 on weekends). Or visit their online store where you'll also find an array of hard to resist Farm Gift Packages. Their jam has some of the deepest blueberry flavor I've ever had. Try the blueberry vinegar, chutney, and syrup and even bring home a bottle of — wait for it - blueberry wine! The only products not produced on site, Canter-Berry's dinner and cordial wines are crafted by Hoodsport Winery using Canter-Berry's blueberries.

In addition to their U-Pick berries and cut flowers in season, Clarissa and Doug raise American Saddlebred Show Horses and offer farm tours by appointment so you can enjoy visiting a historic working farm even when fruit is not in season!

Sarah Graham is a volunteer with Cascade Harvest Coalition and aspiring farmer who lives in Seattle with her husband and several four-legged children. For more of Sarah's stories about food and travel, visit her website, Food First Hand.

ON THE ROAD — Whatcom County

Even though the calendar says August, we thought a little advance notice about a perfect September road trip to beautiful Whatcom County was in order. Laura Ridenour, who works with Sustainable Connections, contributed this piece.

Whatcom County is a food lover's paradise. Particularly this time of year, with dozens of fabulous eateries featuring local ingredients, unique farms and a line-up of great food events around harvest season, I feel so lucky living here in Bellingham where people are enthusiastic about sustainability and good food. We also have great year-round resources like the downloadable Whatcom Food & Farm Finder and other edible publications dedicated to celebrating our diverse farmers and food producers farmers here in Whatcom. Each September, though, I look forward to inviting friends and family from around the region to visit during the Whatcom County Farm Tour, our very own ripe local food adventure.

This free and family-friendly and self-guided Tour is the perfect day trip from the Seattle region to meet farmers, harvest your own veggies and fruits, taste delectable wines, eat apple pie, learn about heritage and rare breed animals, and more - all with a backdrop of stunning Mount Baker. With fabulous farm products for sale at farm stands, three mapped bicycle routes, and exciting educational activities at ten farms, two wineries and the Bellingham Farmers Market (recently Sunset Magazine's top pick of western U.S. farmers markets), the Whatcom County Farm Tour is fast becoming a favorite regional destination event.

So, consider this your official invitation - come on up to Whatcom and discover your own culinary adventure, savoring the sights and tastes of the season and our unique place in the world!

Details: Saturday, September 10, 2011, 10 AM — 5 PM. Download Whatcom County Farm Tour maps and the September Eat Local Month Guide starting August 27. See you out on the farm!

Laura Ridenour comes from a long line of agriculturalists, social change agents and good food enthusiasts and has been integrally involved in food, farming and the business of sustainability her whole life. Laura is currently writing a Masters of Sociology thesis on civic agriculture and the local food movement, and is the Food & Farming Program Manager at Sustainable Connections.

FEATURED RECIPE — Canter-Berry Farms Blueberry Farms Coffee Cake

Farmer Clarissa Metzler Cross has shared one of her favorite recipes; this Blueberry Coffee Cake has been a Sunday breakfast special in her family for over 55 years. She says it's "especially superb served warm out of the oven with farm fresh butter melted on it." We couldn't agree more — anything with melted butter rates high with us. Find more recipes from Canter-Berry Farm.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Sift together:

2 cups flour

½ cup sugar

3 tsp. baking powder

Mix together:

2 eggs, beaten

¾ cup milk

½ cup canola oil

Stir dry and wet items together and pour into 8 x 15 greased baking dish.

Top with:

2+ cups of blueberries

For crumble topping, mix together:

1 cup brown sugar

2 Tbsp. flour

½ tsp. salt

Sprinkle crumble topping over blueberries and dot top with 2 Tbsp. butter. Bake in oven for 30 — 40 minutes. If using frozen blueberries, use the berries unthawed and bake a little longer. Test with toothpick.