Fresh from the market: July 24th

I started this feature last week, and will list for you throughout the local growing season the kinds of vegetables and fruits available at many local farmers’ markets.

Here’s this week’s freshly picked vegetables: Asian turnips, basil, beets, cabbage, chard, collards, cucumbers, eggplant, fennel, fresh garlic, green beans, green peppers, herbs, hot peppers, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, parsley, radishes, scallions, summer squash, tomatoes, zucchini.

Freshly picked fruit: blueberries, raspberries, peaches and possibly blackberries and nectarines.

Thanks to Robin Hoy of the Wrightstown Market for her help on this list.

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Food, Inc. Documentary at the County

For an enlightening and provocative inside look at how our food is being produced in the U.S. food industry and who’s “in the kitchen,” the new documentary Food, Inc. is showing at the County Theater, 20 E. State St. in Doylestown through this weekend.

The film opened in New York last month and is beginning to make its way around the country. It is directed by Robert Kenner and co-produced by Eric Schlosser (author of Fast Food Nation) and Michael Pollan (Omnivore’s Dilemma and In Defense of Food). Robert Kenner is a 1968 grad of Solebury School, so we’ve got some real local ties to the film’s fame!

Showtimes are:
Thursday 4:00 and 9:35 pm
Friday 6:25 pm
Saturday and Sunday 1:15 and 6:25 pm

It’s rated PG and is 1 hour and 34 min. It’s a MUST SEE for everyone who cares about our food, our health, our economy, our environment and human and animal rights.

Thanks to Robin Hoy, manager of the Wrightstown Farmers’ Market, for this information. (Sorry I was late putting this up; the movie has been showing all week.)

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Fresh from the market this week…

I’m starting a new feature for the growing season. “Fresh from the market this week…” will alert you to the kinds of vegetables and fruits you can expect to find at area farmers’ markets. Hopefully it will help you plan the week and maybe even try some new things.

Here’s this week’s freshly picked vegetables, available at many local markets: Asian turnips, basil, beets, cabbage, chard, collard greens, cucumbers,  eggplant, fennel, fresh garlic, green beans, green peppers, herbs, hot peppers, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, parsley, radishes, scallions, summer squash,  and zucchini.

Freshly picked fruit: blueberries, black raspberries, raspberries, peaches and apricots.

Thanks to Robin Hoy of the Wrightstown Market for her help on this list.

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Let’s Go For Ice Cream

Bucks County Taste has moved! See this post on our new server. 

Everyone has their favorite ice cream place. Usually it’s local, and maybe because it’s associated with sweetness and warm summer evenings, people tend to be fiercely loyal.

That’s why we are not going to rate ice cream purveyors in Bucks County (ha!), or even attempt to be comprehensive in our list. But for those of you interested in wandering the county, comparing vanillas, chocolates and peanut butter-chocolate-graham-whatever swirls, here’s a short list, starting in Upper Bucks and moving south. We did, however, skip franchise places, like Rita’s and Dairy Queen, as good as they might sometimes be.

Thanks to our new guest blogger, Rich Baringer, for his research in Upper Bucks, and to various other friends who have recommended their favorite places.

We hope to update this list as we get a chance to visit them, and add more information, so please let us know your favorite place, and why you love it. Send us an email, or drop a comment below.

Rosemarie’s Italian Ice (Quakertown), 304 W. Broad Street, (215) 536-3220
“A million flavors” of ice cream, plus water ice and gelato.

Grida’s (Richlandtown), 36 N. Main St, (215) 536-2691
Good old-fashioned walk-up food stand. Great place to hang with friends or pick up to take home. Locally owned for over forty years, with a big menu in addition to ice cream. Soft-serve dipped in chocolate is a favorite.

Sundae School (Hilltown), 401 W. Schoolhouse Rd., (215) 723-4123‎
Housed in the old Pennview Schoolhouse – they even have the names and pictures of those who attended school there. Lots of Hershey’s ice cream flavors as well as smoothies, sundaes, Italian ice, candy, ice cream cakes, and chocolate covered bananas. Very friendly staff with an old-fashioned feel inside and outside seating for hanging out.

Owow Cow Creamery (Ottsville), at the intersection of Routes 536 & 412, near Rt. 611
All natural, organic, small batch, handcrafted ice cream, “Italian” style (think rich and dense) made on-site sourcing ingredients from local farms. Twenty flavors. Outside seating. Just imagine – you can eat healthy, great ice cream and support local farmers.

Chubby’s Dairy Barn (Plumsteadville), right behind the Plumsteadville Inn, near the intersection of Route 611 and Stump Road, 215.766.7554
Very family- and community-oriented (hosting Cruise nights, local kids sports teams, movie viewings, ice cream cookie nights), serving Nelson’s ice cream (from Royersford). Extremely friendly staff – even have treats for dogs who visit.

Del Val Creamery @ The Market  by Shady Brook Farm at Delaware Valley College (Doylestown), 2100 Lower State Road
Locally made by Uncle Dave’s ice cream  in Yardley (who also sells at Shady Brook Farm Market). Made from 100 percent super premium Jersey cow milk, from independently owned Pennsylvania dairy farms and using Shady Brook produce – like raspberries, strawberries and peaches – in the ice cream whenever possible. See our story on the Del Val Market.

Pigadilly’s (Lahaska) Peddler’s Village, Shop #53, 215.794.2122
Sixteen hard and nine soft-serve flavors, gelato, baked goods and other light food. Great Peanut Butter Swirl.

Dilly’s Corner (Centre Bridge), on River Road (Route 32), north of New Hope, right at the Centre Bridge-Stockton bridge
Another local favorite that has been there for years. Ice cream, milkshakes and a grill menu. Watch for our upcoming review.

Sweet Pea Creams & Confections (Newtown), 254 N. Sycamore St. (Goodnoe’s Corner), 215.968.0466
Own-make ice cream in 22 flavors, sundaes, ice cream sandwiches, ice cream cakes and pies, and homemade candies.

Goodnoe Farm Dairy Bar (Newtown) 4 South Sycamore Street, 215.968.3544
The tradition continues. Goodnoe’s was the place to go for ice cream for 40 years, back when Newtown was surrounded by farms. Now the next generation is making ice cream again, using the family recipes. The recently opened store sells their homemade hand-dipped ice cream in 12 flavors, offers 15 kinds of sundaes, and milkshakes.

Tanner Brothers Dairy (Ivyland/Richboro), 1070 Hatboro Road, 215-357-1716
Tanner’s had been in business for over 100 years as a working dairy farm so you know the ice cream is fresh. Their produce selection and prices are great too, year-round.

Uncle Dave’s (Yardley) at Shady Brook Farm,  931 Stony Hill Road, 215-968-1670
Locally made from 100 percent super premium Jersey cow milk, from independently owned Pennsylvania dairy farms and using Shady Brook produce – like raspberries, strawberries and peaches – in the ice cream whenever possible.

Yardley Ice House (Yardley boro), 77 S. Main St., 215.321.9788
Family-owned and run. Gourmet Italian Water Ice (in 22 flavors), gelati, soft serve custard, milk shakes and malts, ice cream sundaes, blend-ins and ice cream floats.

Dairy Delite (Levittown), 972 Woodbourne Rd, 215.547.1636‎
This hugely popular ice cream place has several locations in Lower Bucks. From what we’ve heard, portions are big and the lines are long. Thanks to Donnie at The Pineville for this tip. Gotta check it out.

And on the other side of the river…

It’s Nutts (Titusville), 1381 River Road, 609.737.0505
Convenient for Bucks County folks in Upper Makefield and Washington Crossing area. Good ice cream, interesting flavors, outside seating right off of River Road/Route 29.

See more local food stories at www.buckscountytaste.com. 

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Slow Food Dinner at Linden Hill Gardens

Driving to Linden Hill Gardens for the Bucks County Slow Food Farm to Table Dinner the evening of June 26th, Lynne and I got caught in one of this summer’s downpours. As the black sky flashed blue bolts of lightning and gray rain blew sharply across the road, we imagined ourselves huddling beneath a tent with a bunch of good natured souls trying to make the best of a wet situation.

We needn’t have worried. Kimberly Kaufmann, of Slow Food Bucks County, and Kristen Perry, of the Kitchen Potager at Linden Hill Gardens, had set the dinner up in the lovely stone barn of the Gardens’ owner, Jerry Fritz. As we ran from car to barn, Jerry himself pulled open the door to welcome us inside.

About forty people attended the dinner, and since we all had a common interest – good food – introducing ourselves and chatting wasn’t much of a chore. But we were a bit distracted, not by the rain, but by Pit Master Hugh Mangum’s pulled pork, marinated chicken and dipping sauce cooking in the wood smoker outside. Let’s let chef Ron Spada speak for himself:

With the main course came home-made Buckwampum Egg Noodles, Swallow Hill Farm Kale Casserole and Milk House Farm Market Beet Salad, by Linda Jacobs of Soup to Nuts Caterers in Washington Crossing, Rise Bakery Artisanal Baked Bread, and ice cream from oWowCow Creamery in Ottsville and fruit pies by Tabora Farm & Orchard in Chalfont.

Kimberly and Kristen are hoping to stage another farm to table dinner later this summer. We’ll pass on the details as soon as we get them. We’ll see you there.

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Meet the Wrightstown Farmers’ Market

We brought our Flip to the Wrightstown Farmer’s Market on its opening a day a couple of weeks ago, because we figured the best way to get a feel for the market was to hear from the vendors themselves. So, without further ado…

Vendors you’ll see on the video and what they offer…

The Happy Farm: raised-on-pasture  poultry, lamb and eggs

Tall Pines Farm: naturally-raised vegetables, fruits and plants

Flint Hill Farm: naturally-raised chevre cheese (goat and cow), butter

The Coffee Scoop: organic, fair-trade locally-roasted coffee beans

Milk House Farm Market: vegetables, eggs, honey

Naturally @ Holben Valley Farm: pasture-raised, grass-fed beef

Amberland Farm: chemical-free vegetables, flowers and perennials

Great Harvest Bread Company: bread and baked goods

Purely Farm: organically pastured pork, lamb and chicken

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Welcome Linden Hill Farmers’ Market

Bucks County is getting a new farmers’ market this weekend! Join in the grand opening festivities of the birth of the Linden Hill Farmers’ Market on Friday, May 29th from 3:30 – 7:30 pm. The market takes place on the grounds of Linden Hill Gardens by the old barn and is sponsored by Kimberton Whole Foods. Markets will take place weekly until October 30th and will also include community events and live music.

This week the market will highlight the vendors and feature live music from “WHEELS“, a local band performing blues, country, & classic rock covers as well as grass-roots original music. Jerry Fritz will host garden walks of Linden Hill Gardens at 6:00 pm. Updates may be found at the following websites and the participating vendors are listed below. 
www.lindenhillgardens.com   www.thekitchenpotager.com    www.kimbertonwholefoods.com

Current list of participating vendors:  (* indicates partial season)
Backyard Bison: Bison Meat, Fiber & Hides
Barefoot Gardens: Seasonal vegetables, medicinal herbs and flowers
Berger Farm & Buckwampum Homestead: Eggs & Seasonal Vegetables 
Brad’s Veggies & Raw Chips: Vegetables & Raw Chips 
Brig O’Doon Coffee House: Whole bean coffee, fresh baked goods & raw milk fruit smoothies
*Bucks County Preserves: Unique flavored jams and jellies
*Blackstone Studio: Folk Crafts 
Chestnut Hill Farm Gourmet Foods: Gourmet Jams and Jellies, baked goods including gluten free products
*Cote & Co.: Prepared foods, local ingredients
*Cuper Studios LLC, Nanc Conner & River Otter Pottery: Hand-thrown pottery, produce paintings, hand-made jewelry 
The Kitchen Potager: Culinary Plants & Herb Arrangements
Linden Hill Gardens: Garden Gifts & Plants 
Marie’s Soap Company: Handmade soap & skin products
Milk House Farm Market: Eggs, Honey, and Seasonal Vegetables
*Myofasial Release: Massage Therapy
Nita Baker: Seasonal stromboli and baked goods
Owow Cow Creamery: Artisanal Small batched Ice Cream
*Natalie Searl Photography: Vegetable & Poultry Photography
*Peace Valley Lavender Farm: Lavender Products
Purely Farm Pastured Meats: Pastured pork & chicken, brown eggs, sheepskins 
Rise Bread: Artisanal Baked Bread
Rocky Top Farm: Wool yarn, hides, finished knit items
Tabora Farm & Orchard: Bakery goods & seasonal fruit
WoodsEdge Wools Farm, LLC: Alpaca & Llama products and honey products
 
Community events scheduled for June:
June 5th - Lawn Game Day – you do not need to wear whites, but be prepared for croquet, bocce and badminton to kick off strawberry season!
June 12th - Community Strawberry Recipe Competition – sign up to compete for the strawberry crown
June 19th - Egg Races (BYOS – bring your own spoon) 
June 26th - Slow Food Post Market Picnic at 7:00 pm. ($35 per person, $15 for children under 10, reservations required: kp@thekitchenpotager.com)

Linden Hill Farmers’ Market
Fridays, 3:30 – 7:30 pm 
8230 Easton Road (Route 611)
Ottsville, PA 18942

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More Than A Farm Market

Here’s a test. Where can you find all these items?

• All natural bakery items (no preservatives or hydrogenated oils), baked on the premises
• Hormone- and antibiotic-free beef, poultry and pork, raised locally, and sold at a butcher counter
• Fresh organic produce
• Fresh flowers, grown across the street
• Boars Head Meat and Cheeses, including deli sandwiches
• Prepared foods, made on the premises, including entrees, sides, salads and dips
• Local eggs and organic milk, and a full line of other dairy items (yogurt, cream, soy milk, butter, goat milk and fresh mozzarella)
• Nelson’s, Ben & Jerry’s, and Ciao Bella ice cream
• Baked goods from J.Scones
• Superior Pasta from Philadelphia
• Martin’s chicken and turkey sausages (fresh on Fridays and no preservatives)
• Naturally-processed, fair trade coffee roasted in Bucks County by The Coffee Scoop
• Max & Me Smoked Salmon
• A whole host of great grocery items

To be honest, I was a bit surprised to find all these things at None Such Farm Market, in Buckingham, on Route 263 (York Road). I’ve been living around here for eighteen years, and have shopped from time to time at None Such. It wasn’t until I sat down with Carol Routier, one of the managers at the market, that I began to appreciate what is going on at None Such. It’s not just a farm market anymore.

None Such Farm Market is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, sitting on land that has been farmed by the Yerkes family for over seventy years. Now in the hands of the third generation, the market is being co-managed by Rhonda and Karen Yerkes, wives of Scott and Jon Yerkes (learn more about their history).

There have been some changes, all for the best as you can see from the list above. The market has stuck to its roots – providing fresh, locally grown produce, flowers and plants – and then some. As you reach for the front door, notice the dry erase board directly to the right. It lists what’s fresh and new in the store. Then grab a basket or cart and just wander around.

The Yerkes and their staff have been listening to what Bucks County customers want – all natural products, a variety of interesting gourmet and everyday items, as well as “I just need to pick something up for dinner,” type stuff.

"What's growing" sign

Another great addition is the big blackboard at the cash registers. It lists what’s going on at the farm across the street, including what’s being planted, growing and harvested.

As we’ve mentioned before, Mark and I are carnivores, so if you’re not, you might want to skip this paragraph. While all natural meat products have become more common, we’re very fortunate here in Bucks to have all natural meat raised locally. None Such’s cattle is raised on pasture and long grains, and sold fresh at the market. Take home the 6 oz. hamburger patties – they are wonderful, and they don’t shrink on the grill. The pork and poultry are also local, and are hormone- and antibiotic-free, something not always easy to find in central Bucks (especially in pork products).

Herbs and plants

There is so much more – catering services, great bedding plants and hanging baskets, a fresh flower fridge as you walk in to the right – that you’ll just have to check it out yourself. And now’s a great time since None Such Farm’s strawberries have just arrived. They are available for purchase in the market or you can pick your own (Monday – Sunday, 8 am to 12 pm; Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 5 – 8 pm). Nothing against California strawberries, but they’ve come a long way and they tend to be bland. Stop by None Such Market, buy some, and remember what strawberries are supposed to taste like.

The market is open Monday – Friday, 8 am to 6:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 8 am to 6 pm, Route 263, 4458 York Rd., Buckingham, 215.794.5201, www.nonesuchfarms.com

For more photos of the market and its products…

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A Locally Grown Partnership

Now that it’s up and running, it seems so natural. Two names – Delaware Valley College and Shady Brook Farm - both a part of Bucks County agricultural history.

The official opening of The Market by Shady Brook Farm at Delaware Valley College , or “The Market” for short, was in early April. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Dave Fleming, Jr., general manager of both the DelVal market in Doylestown and Shady Brook Farm’s market in Yardley.

A little history lesson. Shady Brook Farm started in 1913. Owner Dave Fleming, Sr., is an alumni of Delaware Valley College, and ran a traditional wholesale farming business until the mid-1980s.

“In 1984, we started seeing the writing on the wall,” explains the younger Fleming. The family realized that retail – not wholesale – was the way the business was going, and opened a farm market. Fleming took over the retail store when he graduated from college in 1990, while his brother, Paul, stayed on the production, or farming, side of the business.

In the mid-90′s, Fleming, Jr. decided it was time to go the next step. He wanted to do prepared foods in the market, but needed permission to install sewer and water to do so. Not always easy to accomplish in Bucks County. Fast forward twelve years and Shady Brook opened a new store in 2004, complete with kitchen, deli and bakery.

Next chapter. Delaware Valley College, known locally as “DelVal,” has been educating farmers, horticulturists and other ag types since 1896. (It also does more than teach agriculture these days. US News & World Report just ranked it as one of the best comprehensive colleges in the country). In 2004, the college, which had a modest farm market, built and opened a beautiful new market and garden center on Lower State Road. But things didn’t pan out and the market closed.

Determined to make it work, the college looked at other avenues. They hired a farm market consultant. He gave them the names of thirty markets to visit, plus the five he would recommend to run DelVal’s. One of which was Shady Brook.

Why did they choose Shady Brook?  Don Feldscher, special assistant to DelVal President Dr. Joseph Brosnan, explains that Shady Brook had the right “feel.”

“They talked first about education, and using students to work in the market,” says Feldscher. The college also liked that Shady Brook was committed to using college produce and products.

Fleming also points to Shady Brook’s experience. “A lot of places do a farm market well, or a garden center well,” he explains, “it’s difficult to keep focus on both sides. We’ve had that experience.” Shady Brook also knew a thing or two about running successful events, as they have been doing for years at their Yardley farm. In addition, they are an Agway dealer, and sell all kinds of garden products, from pansies to trees.

But enough history. Let’s talk food! While the interior of the market hasn’t changed much – it’s still crisp, clean and bright – there are some notable changes, both out front and behind the scenes.

Prepared Foods. Shady Brook has hired two chefs and a pastry chef to run the kitchen, and they’re already turning out great food. Everything from breakfast sandwiches, to hot and cold sandwiches (hoagies, paninis, cheese steaks, burgers, hot sides), to soup, to hot entrees and sides for dinner.

The kitchen is still developing its “signature,” says Fleming. “We want to have a ‘country feel.’ We don’t want to get too high-end for a farm market.” The only goal, he says, is that it has to be “exceptional.” Shady Brook has brought many of its signature products from Yardley – like its guacamole, pico de gallo, honey, and peanut butter, as well as a whole line of gourmet preserves and canned goods. (They also plan to produce food in the DelVal kitchen to sell down in Yardley.)

Bakery. “Yum,” is all I can say. Pastries, cookies, pies, cakes and bread. And a full coffee bar to go with it.

Produce. A wide selection of both regular and organic produce that will only get better as we move into spring and summer. Produce from both the college and Shady Brook Farm will fill the shelves. Look for the college’s tomatoes soon, then asparagus and field greens in May from Shady Brook.

Meat and dairy. Pork and beef raised at the college, Eberly’s organic chicken, Griggstown Market’s chicken pot pies, to name a few. Deli cold cuts by Dietz & Watson and Boar’s Head are also available by the pound. Dairy items too, including organic products.

Specialty items. The market carries a good selection of DiBruno’s (from South Philly) cheeses and salamis, as well as many gourmet grocery items. Shady Brook’s own guacamole is, indeed, “exceptional.”

Ice cream. Okay, so I saved the best for last. Those of you familiar with Shady Brook Farm probably also know Uncle Dave’s Ice Cream. Dave Adami, a childhood friend of Dave Fleming, Jr., started his ice cream company in March 2008.

Made from 100 percent super premium Jersey cow milk, from independently owned Pennsylvania dairy farms, it comes in, oh, about 50 or 60 flavors, including Billionaire Chocolate, Toasted Coconut and Graham Cracker. Dave uses Shady Brook produce – like raspberries, strawberries and peaches – in the ice cream whenever he can.  At the market you’ll see the ice cream sold under the Del Val Creamery brand. Grab some and have a seat in the spacious eating area inside the market.

Coming soon – wine. Rose Bank Winery, another Shady Brook Farm offshoot, will be opening a kiosk in the market as soon as the paperwork goes through.

I’m sure I’ve forgotten something – so you’ll have to drive over to the market and check it out for yourself. Just be sure to leave with some guacamole.

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Why Sharon Decided to ‘Go Organic’

Last month we talked with Sharon Schwartz about her evolution into a fine home chef. This month, we offer part two. Sharon talks about why she decided to “go organic,” and her favorite sources for ingredients in Bucks County. In her own words…

I started to get interested in healthy food choices when I was pregnant with my first child, Jennifer. At the time (this was the 1970′s), we were living on Long Island, and I decided to join a food co-op. They offered bulk food – mostly organic – at cheap prices.  It was the quality of the food that attracted me, and the fact that we had to work there sometimes, and I could meet like-minded people. 

We were also fortunate to live very close to a poultry farm where they raised their fowl and offered eggs that were raised with organic feed. To this day, those were the most incredibly delicious chickens we’ve ever had.  I bought the chickens the day they were killed and got eggs the day they were laid.  You can’t get better than that, and without having to do any of the work!

In those days there was not much organic farming being done in our area. The vegetables at the health food stores tended to be limp and old because they did not move quickly enough.  About the only decent veggies I could get were organic carrots. I did my best to buy produce from local farmers in season, and we did have a vegetable garden (organic of course) in our yard by the time the kids were 3 and 5 years old. 

It was also around that time that an especially great health food store opened in our town on Long Island, and I got very involved with macrobiotics.  I practiced it pretty strictly for myself, and offered it in the house, with much resistance from the kids and Mark (my husband).  In keeping with my “style,” I did take macrobiotic cooking lessons and learned to get pretty creative with my veggies, beans and miso soup.  After finding that my body needed more protein, I kind of gave up on it, but tried to find food choices that were as pure as possible for myself and my family.  I didn’t go back to eating beef or veal, however, because of the ways in which the animals were raised.

When we moved to Bucks County in the mid-80′s, it became more difficult to find organically raised chickens and eggs, and even fish choices were not as fresh or varied as what was available on Long Island.  I did the best I could, but loosened my standards a great deal out of necessity.  I was happy if I could find locally grown food of good quality. 

It has only been recently, with the advent of more local organic farming, and the arrival of Whole Foods and a few other sources, that I have gone back to my purist organic food choices.  Between the organic sections in most markets, the better selections in health food stores, and the arrival of a great wholly organic meat department at Whole Foods (and some at Wegmans) I can get most anything I want (beef and veal included) at the level of quality I want.  Hallelujah!

These are some of Sharon’s favorite places to get ingredients, both in Bucks County and nearby. (Sharon lives in Central Bucks, so she is partial to places nearest to her.) In alphabetical order:

• Altomonte’s (Doylestown and Warminster): assorted Italian ingredients, including oils (Iliada Greek Olive Oil) and vinegars, and cage-free, organic eggs, handmade ricotta
• Blue Moon Acres (Buckingham): organic salad greens and herbs; “I’ve even gotten beautiful, big zucchini flowers in season from them which I use to make ‘Ricotta-Stuffed Zucchini Flowers.””
• Buckingham Seafood (Buckingham): good quality, wild caught fish
• Cote & Co.  (Doylestown): they carry Max and Me Smoked (organic) Salmon, oils, vinegars
• Heller’s Seafood (Warrington): good selection of fish
• Jamie Hollander (New Hope): organic aged strip steaks, good take-out, interesting grocery items
• The Larder (Doylestown): great bulk food, specialty items, cashews
• Newtown Farmer’s Market (Newtown): from the Amish stand, chicken, other types of poultry, organic, cage-free eggs; good quality fruits and vegetables from the Asian produce stand (although not organic), and “the falafel guy is great!”
• None Such Farms (Buckingham): Antibiotic-free, hormone-free, locally raised meats; local produce. “I can even get a brisket with the deckle (fatty part) still on – which makes a superb brisket!”
• Wegmans (Warrington): for organic produce and other natural foods, in particular, baby artichokes and handmade ricotta
• Whole Foods (Montgomeryville, Jenkintown, Princeton): for everything organic, but especially meats (Jenkintown store has complete butcher shop). The Princeton store is “huge and fantastic.”

And Sharon’s favorite in-season farm stands:

• Doylestown Farmer’s Market (Saturday mornings)
• Manoff Market Gardens, great selection of apples
• Solebury Orchards, especially for apples
• Wrightstown Farmer’s Market (Saturday mornings)

What are your favorite places to shop for ingredients? Please let us know.

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