You say tomato, we say let’s preserve
At the last Eltham Farmers’ Market, Maria Ciavarella demonstrated how to make tomato passata. She has now kindly given us her written instructions and we have added these to the recipe section of the website. Click here to view.
Three places to buy preserving equipment are:
- Costante Imports, located at 377-379 Bell Street, Preston.
Going Green Solutions, located at 929 Main Road, Hurstbridge.- Home Make It, located at 265 Spring Street, Reservoir.
Alternatively, to borrow our Fowlers Vacola Preserving Kit, click here.
Or, to borrow Montmorency Community Group’s tomato press (aka passata machine), ring Julie (0438 115853), noting that there is a $50 deposit required which is fully refundable on safe return. They also have a Fowlers Vacola Preserving Kit if you find that ours is out on loan. Note that Julie is away, and out of mobile phone range, until next week.
Some offers from KABUU
Richard Lee, from KABUU, reports that he has a number of sales offers:
- New soil-block seedling range, based on a new soil-block size: $5.00 for 8 plants of the same variety (a standard punnet equivalent). $4.50 if you bring your own trays/bags to carry them home.
- Composted bark mulch: sieved out from the compost that he uses for his oil-block mix. $10 per 100L wheelbarrow. Pick up with a trailer or bring bags/tubs/boxes.
- Sugar cane mulch: NASAA certified from Rocky Point. Discounted price of $13 per bale.
- Lucerne mulch: GrowBetter. Discounted price of $13 per bale.
You can contact Richard by phone (0422 606026) or by email or by visiting his stall at Eltham Farmers’ Market.
New signage at the Garden of Plenty, Diamond Valley Library, Greensborough
Some more signage from Felicity Gordon, local artist and longstanding member of Local Food Connect, this time at the Garden of Plenty, Diamond Valley Library, Greensborough.
Does fame beckon for you?
The Great Australian Bake Off, a show on LifeStyle FOOD, is currently casting for the second series and are on the lookout for Australia’s best home bakers. They were wondering if any newsletter readers might be interested in applying for the show (yes – they wrote to us!).
Another food-related article in The Leader
New events
Sourdough bread making workshop
What: Tutor – Yvonne Ashby. This workshop is suitable for beginners through to those who want to expand their bread making repertoire: learn about the required ingredients and tools of the trade; discover the fermentation techniques to optimise the open crumb texture; and learn about the baker’s percentage and hydration. During the workshop you will: mix, knead and fold the dough; learn shaping techniques; learn to score and bake; and how to maintain a starter. Take home: a recipe, tips and hints of sourdough making; a baked loaf of bread; and two pieces of dough which can be baked at home.
When: Saturday, 20th February, 10am-1pm (and again on 30th April).
Where: Panton Hill.
Cost: $45 / $40 concession.
Enquiries/Bookings: Living & Learning Nillumbik Panton Hill by phone (9433 3799) or visit.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Italian cooking workshop
What: Tutor – Janice Mariani. Discover the authentic taste of Mediteranean cuisine, using the freshest ingredients. A tasty three-course menu will be prepared and enjoyed for lunch afterwards. The menu – fresh appetising recipes from Sicily with vegetables and fish: eggplant timballo alla palermitano; sardines, rolled and stuffed; sicilian sword fish with fresh herbs; and chocolate desert arancine.
When: Saturday, 27th February, 10am-1pm (and again, with a different menu, on 21st April).
Where: Panton Hill.
Cost: $70 / $65 concession.
Enquiries/Bookings: Living & Learning Nillumbik Panton Hill by phone (9433 3799) or visit.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Chocolatier: the joy of chocolate
What: Bruce, from the renowned confectioner Chocolatier, will lead you through the world of chocolate. He will touch on trends and techniques in chocolate making. Chocolatier is known for its premium product so bring your taste buds.
When: Tuesday, 1st March, 6.30-7.30pm.
Where: Watsonia.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Watsonia library by phone (9435 2397).
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Mooroolbark growers & weeders present: “plant swap, chat & make”
What: Bring along plant cuttings, potted seedlings or saved seeds to swap. Learn to make no-fade plant labels, newspaper pots (2 different types) and more. Take-home instructions provided. Bookings essential. Tea and coffee provided.
When: Tuesday, 8th March, 2-3pm.
Where: Mooroolbark.
Cost: free.
Enquiries/Bookings: Mooroolbark library by phone (9800 6480).
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Montrose gardeners present “plant swap, chat & make”
What: Bring along plant cuttings, potted seedlings or saved seeds to swap. Learn to make no-fade plant labels, newspaper pots (2 different types) and more. Take-home instructions provided. Bookings essential. Tea and coffee provided.
When: Monday, 21st March, 10.30-11.30am.
Where: Montrose.
Cost: free.
Enquiries/Bookings: Montrose library by phone (9800 6490).
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Preserves and relishes
What: Marie Vassallo, from the CWA, will use fresh market produce to create something wonderful. Bring your curiosity and your tastebuds.
When: Monday, 21st March, 11am-midday.
Where: Rosanna.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Rosanna library by phone (9459 6171).
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Just4kids Easter egg decorating
What: Get ready for Easter. Hop along and start decorating those eggs.
When: Monday, 21st March, 4-5pm.
Where: Mill Park.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Jack by phone (9437 8189) or email.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Health, wealthy & wise: making food fun
What: Michelle Hegarty, from Home Grown Catering will show you and your kids how to pack a fresh, healthy lunchbox. Learn about the best snacks for during and after school for optimal vitality.
When: Thursday, 14th April, 4-5pm.
Where: Eltham.
Cost: free.
Enquiries: Eltham Library by phone (9439 9266) or email.
Bookings: just turn up.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Summary of upcoming events
Over the next week
- Summer preserving basics: Wednesday, 17th February, 10am-1pm.
- Seed harvesting and saving: Thursday, 18th February, 9.30-10.30am.
- You say tomato – I say let’s preserve: Saturday, 20th February, 10am-1pm.
- Sourdough bread making workshop: Saturday, 20th February, 10am-1pm.
- The Melbourne Tomato Festival 2016: Sunday, 21st February, 10am-4pm.
- Foraging workshop: Sunday, 21st February, 3.30-6.30pm.
- Heritage apple tasting: Sunday, 21st February, 5-7pm.
- Italian savoury reserves: Wednesday, 24th February, 10am-1pm.
- Rubbish free lunch box ideas: Wednesday, 24th February, 7-9pm.
Over the next month
- Home grown food swap and kids’ lunch box garden activity: Friday, 26th February, 6.30-7.30pm.
- Wicking bed workshop: Saturday, 27th February, 9am-5pm.
- Italian cooking workshop: Saturday, 27th February, 10am-1pm.
- Setting up and maintaining a worm farm: Saturday, 27th February, 3-5pm.
- Edible gardening with a permaculture twist: Sunday, 28th February, 9am-5pm.
- Home Harvest Feast 2016: Sunday, 28th February, midday-4pm.
- Chocolatier: the joy of chocolate: Tuesday, 1st March, 6.30-7.30pm.
- Ryan Young on healthy soils: Tuesday, 1st March, 7.15-9.15pm.
- Eat your way to a happier, healthier you: Wednesday, 2nd March, 7-9pm.
- Pesto making fun: Thursday, 3rd March, 9.30-10.30am.
- How to make sense of food labels: Thursday, 3rd March, 9.30-11am.
- Love your soil for a flourishing garden: Saturday, 5th March, 10.30am-1pm.
- Preparing your garden for the Winter bounty: Saturday, 5th March, 2-4.30pm.
- Passata day: the traditional way: Sunday, 6th March, 10am-1pm.
- The Great Tomato Taste Off: Sunday, 6th March, 10.30-11.30am.
- Heritage apple tasting: Sunday, 6th March, 5-7pm.
- Mooroolbark growers & weeders present: “plant swap, chat & make”: Tuesday, 8th March, 2-3pm.
- Decorating Easter treats – demonstration: Thursday, 17th March, 10.30-11.30am.