Farm-to-table in your own backyard
Farm-to-table is a trend that is becoming increasingly popular among U.S. restaurants. What is farm-to-table? It can hold a different meaning depending on how one looks at it. A blanket meaning is the production process from harvest to consumption, and everything in between such as packaging and sales. However, some argue that true farm-to-table is prepared food that comes directly from a farm, or garden, without going through the distribution process. The Garnet Café on Walnut in Coeur d’Alene is one such restaurant which a lot of the food comes from the owners’ farm, McLane Farms, just minutes away.
The average consumer cannot operate a full farm in their backyard, but can grow several vegetables, herbs, and fruit that could make up several recipes. One of the hottest trends is growing a salsa garden consisting of tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, jalapenos, cilantro, green onions, and garlic. Of course, depending on preferences, vegetables and herbs grown for salsa can vary from garden to garden. Imagine having fresh salsa at your fingertips all summer long! The same fresh ingredients could be used for tacos or any other Mexican or Southwest cuisine.
Practically any vegetable you enjoy, you can grow and use on salads and pizza, mixed with your favorite whole grains, or simply as stand alone vegetables, grilled or raw. You don’t even need a large space to grow certain produce. You can use containers if you wish. Here is a salsa recipe that will be sure to impress your guests this summer. If you haven’t planted a garden before, make this your first farm-to-table experience!
• 4 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 small jalapeno, seeded and chopped
• 2 - 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• Salt, to taste
Don’t forget the fruit! Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, plums, cherries! The possibilities are endless. How about trying to grow rhubarb? Any of these fruit would be great in pies, crisps, grilled, or straight from the garden. Herbs such as basil, thyme, and mint add great flavor to any dish and can be grown easily in small containers. Not only will you gain great pleasure in the flavors of the food you grow, but also in knowing you grew this food from the ground up.
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Kimberly Young, MS, RDN, LD, is the WIC Coordinator at Panhandle Health District and a graduate of the University of Idaho Dietetic program.