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Our Website: http://athens.locallygrown.net
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Recipes

Roasted Radicchio with Gorgonzola and Balsamic Vinegar

Roasting brings out a concentrated, natural sweetness in radicchio. This dish is unusual, elegant, simple—and delicious. Served on a bed of risotto, it makes an attractive meal. If you’re not a Gorgonzola fan, this is equally delicious with Brie, Swiss, aged Cheddar, or smoked Gouda. You can substitute lemon juice for the balsamic vinegar. From Farmer John’s Cookbook: The Real Dirt On Vegetables.

Serves 4

1 medium head radicchio, cut into 2-inch wedges
1/4 cup olive oil
salt
freshly ground black pepper
balsamic vinegar
4–6 ounces Gorgonzola (or other cheese), sliced

1. Preheat the oven to 400° F. Lightly oil a 2-quart baking dish.
2. Using a pastry brush, brush the radicchio generously with olive oil and place in a single layer in the baking dish. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Bake the radicchio for 20 minutes, turning wedges over once midway through cooking. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and top with cheese. Return to the oven until cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.

Market News

Wow, it’s gotten late in a hurry tonight, so I’ll make this short.

When you arrive at Ben’s Bikes this week, be sure to take a look at our brand new mural painted on the outside of the building. The bike folks have a giant mural over on the half of the wall where their store’s entrance is, and a couple weeks ago they offered to let us paint a mural on the other half. We’re planning on putting up a large awning soon, so we had to move fast. I came up with a design that tried to match the style of the existing mural. Thanks to Rachel Parnell for helping me with the design. On Saturday, several of us gathered at BEn’s Bikes and spent the day up on ladders painting. Many thanks to Kim Morris, Kacy Welsh, Edwyna Arey, and Tom Reynolds for help! I think it came out just great. When we put the awning up, hopefully in this next week, it will go at “ground level” across the mural, so that the root veggies will stick down below. What do you think?

There are several events coming up you ought to be aware of. First, the Athens Farmers Market opens their season this Saturday, May 8th, at Bishop Park. Many of the same growers who sell through Athens Locally Grown also sell there, so you’ll see some familiar names. For more information (and for details on their Tuesday market opening up on the 11th downtown) visit their website, http://athensfarmersmarket.net/.

Fancy Feather Farms in Bowman is having an open house on Saturday. Visitors can see the emus and ostriches, along with many other activities. Details are on their website, http://www.fancyfeatherfarms.com.

Also Saturday, Split Creek Farm in Anderson, SC, is having their spring festival on Saturday. It’s the height of kidding season, and there is plenty to see at their farm. I attended this event by chance a few years ago, and was so impressed with what I saw I asked if they could begin selling through Athens Locally Grown so that you all could also benefit from their labors of love. You can find more detials about this event at their website, http://splitcreek.com.

I’d better stop there, as it’s nearly midnight.

Thanks so much for your support of Athens Locally Grown and everything we’ve tried to accomplish. With you’re help, we’ve been able to build something truly great and inspirational to people all across the country, more than you could know. Thank you also for your support of all of our growers, local food, and our rights to eat it. You all are part of what makes Athens such a great area in which to live. We’ll see you on Thursday at Ben’s Bikes at the corner of Pope and Broad Streets from 4:30 to 8pm!

Coming Events

Farmer for a Day: MAY 15, Saturday, at Darby Farms (Walton County)

Certified Naturally Grown. Darby Farms is a family owned pasture-based, beyond organic, local-market farm and informational outreach in Walton County. We produce: pastured poultry (eggs, chicken, turkeys, ducks and guinea fowl) and will soon be offering pastured pork. We are in the redemption business: healing the land, healing the food, healing the economy, and healing the culture. Experience the satisfaction of knowing your food and your farmer and building community. We are your clean meat connection. This farm is approximately 27 miles from Athens and it’ll take about 40 minutes to get there. Space is limited, so please make reservations by adding them to your order. You’ll find it under the “Events Reservations” category on the website.

Farmer for a Day: JUNE 13, Sunday, at Sundance Farm (Madison County)

Certified Naturally Grown. We are a family farm growing a diverse variety of vegetables, herbs, flowers, fruits and berries. We also raise chickens, heritage turkeys and goats. Our three children are the heart of our farm. They enjoy the healthy food they help harvest and realize what it takes to get from a seed to the table. We are Certified Naturally Grown and have sold produce in the Athens area since 1998. Currently we sell at Athens Locally Grown, Athens Farmers Market, local restaurants and from the farm. We are also planning a C.S.A. in the near future. We appreciate all the Locally Grown customers that have supported us through the years, allowing us to do what we love, Growing good food. This farm is approximately 13 miles from Athens, and it’ll take 20 minutes to get there. Space is limited, so please make reservations by adding them to your order. You’ll find it under the “Events Reservations” category on the website.

The Athens Farmers Market is closed for the winter. They’ll be opening back up for the season on May 8th. You can watch for news during the offseason on their website. The other area markets are also getting ready to open again. When I hear about their opening dates, I’ll let you know.

Please support your local farmers and food producers, where ever you’re able to do so!