Another month, another article from Helen Simpson
Helen’s article for February is on lesser known herbs. She discusses perilla (Perilla frutescens), horseradish (Armoracia rusticana), French tarragon (Artemesia dracunculus) and Moroccan tea mint (Mentha spicata var. crispa). In each case, she covers both how to grow it and how to eat it. Read the full article.
Another week, another (timely) recipe
This week’s recipe is for spicy Indian tomato chutney, courtesy of Felicity Gordon.
Two new food producers in the Local Food Directory
- PoppySmack, from Warrandyte: Asian sauces.
- Sugarloaf Produce, from Strathewen: vegetables.
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| PoppySmack | Sugarloaf Produce |
To look at the whole Directory, go to either the tabular list or the category/map interface.
Did you know that the Directory is searchable by township/suburb (or postcode)? For example, here are the results for Warrandyte. In the tabular list, simply click any township. In the category/map interface, type in any township/suburb in the relevant field in the right hand sidebar.
The Little Organic Shop in Hurstbridge is seemingly no more
From their Facebook page: “I am now following my passion and farming in Flowerdale. I now do locally grown, chemical free farmers’ boxes delivered to your home or workplace.” and “The shop is now a produce processing/packing space and office space.“
Food poetry
Newsletter reader Pam Jenkins recently retired and now has the time to write ‘food poetry’. For example:
There was a lady who wouldn’t watch telly
Got a rumbling sound in her belly
So she took off her red hat
And her purple cravat
And turned apples and mint into jelly.
My understanding is that Pam really did wear a red hat whilst making her mint jelly.
New events
Italian savoury preserves
What: Italians have perfected the art of the antipasto platter, with delicious savoury pickled vegetables often made with fresh organic veggies from their own gardens. You will use many home-grown vegetables to create lovely preserves done in the Italian style. Then you will make a couple of pasta sauces that can be preserved for future use – fast-food the Italian way! A jar of everything you make is taken home by each student as well as recipes for the techniques that you followed.
When: Wednesday, 24th February, 10am-1pm.
Where: Donvale.
Cost: $55.
Enquiries: Maria Ciavarella by phone (0424 083057) or email.
Further information: LFC calendar entry.
Summary of upcoming events
Over the next week
Zip.
Over the next month
- Backyard chooks for beginners: Saturday, 6th February, 10am-midday.
- Watsonia Home Gardening Group inaugural meeting: Saturday, 6th February, midday-2pm.
- Romance month – who loves chocolate?: Tuesday, 9th February, 11am-midday.
- Yum Cha cooking demonstration: Tuesday, 9th February, 7-8.30pm.
- Cheese-making demonstration: Wednesday, 10th February, 11am-midday.
- West African cooking with Desiree: Wednesday, 10th February, 2-3pm.
- Compost concoctions: Thursday, 11th February, 11am-midday.
- Soil matters: Saturday, 13th February, 2-4.30pm.
- Let’s cook, the Chinese way: Monday, 15th February, 1-2.30pm.
- Jane Edmanson – preparing for winter planting: Tuesday, 16th February, 11.30am-12.30pm.
- Summer preserving basics: Wednesday, 17th February, 10am-1pm.
- You say tomato – I say let’s preserve: Saturday, 20th February, 10am-1pm.
- The Melbourne Tomato Festival 2016: Sunday, 21st February, 10am-4pm.
- Italian savoury preserves: Wednesday, 24th February, 10am-1pm.
- Rubbish free lunch box ideas: Wednesday, 24th February, 7-9pm.
- Setting up and maintaining a worm farm: Saturday, 27th February, 3-5pm.
- Home Harvest Feast 2016: Sunday, 28th February, midday-4pm.