Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Tressa, good job--- great photos-- both creative and good communication of your farmers' lives.

I love hearing from young farmers who will feed our future.

My favorite this time of year is my own invention - corn and potato salad. I use the corn milk as part of the salad dressing. That enhances the corn flavor.

http://www.bostonzest.com/2008/07/summer-corn-and.html

The favorite corn experience here in Boston is Ken Oringer's corn at Toro. Here's a link to that one.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/05/04/earlyshow/saturday/main2762526.shtml

Ask about a market CSA. Two of the farms at the Copley Square Farmers' Market in Boston offer a different type of CSA where you make a payment upfront and they give you a discount on everything you buy.

At Atlas Farm, for example, I paid $90 for $100 in product. In addition they offer specials for CSA members only.

You pick out exactly what you want and they have you sign for your purchase. When your share is gone, you can buy another. They also offer larger shares at a better discount. ($300 in produce for $250 or $600 for $500.)

Four legged serious eaters with melting eyes are hard to resist. It was lovely of you to share the story of Brass with all of us.

Please extend the heartfelt sympathy of our family with yours. We have a little Westie girl who will turn 13 this week and thinking of Brass makes me hold her closer and enjoy every day.

In honor of Brass I just took her out and spent an hour in the park with her. It means I'll be at my keyboard later tonight but it was worth it.

"When we think of those companions who travel by our side down life's road, let us not say with sadness that they left us behind, but rather say with gratitude that they once were with us. " Russian proverb

What timing! I wrote about Rogue River Blue exactly one year ago today. Naturally, I had to write about your post today.

My husband says this is a blue cheese for people who don't think they like blue cheeses but do love full-flavored cheeses.

http://www.bostonzest.com/2009/08/rogue-river-blue-amercian-cheese-society-winner.html

Putting farmers in the spotlight is a great idea.

They are so important to so many of us. Over the piles of produce at farmers' markets, friendships grow. I've believe that we can trust these friends to feed us well and safely.

I just recommended the Old Friends Farm ginger on a BostonZest post. It is fantastic. It's hot and so full of flavor that I have to tell myself that it is another product that I can only get for a very short time. It makes you wish all ginger could be so fresh.

You can use the leaves and stems to make ginger tea or ginger broth. I like to use them when I make Asian chicken stock.

I always put chickpeas in my tabouli! I'm so happy to find others who complete the protein this way. I also sprinkle on some feta if I need more calcium in my food that day.

I make it with different grains. My current favorite is the Kashi pilaf mix. That packs in lots of goodness and flavor. Here's my version.

http://www.bostonzest.com/2009/04/tabbouleh-the-perfect-meal-for-a-hot-day.html

I also learned about the lettuce a few years ago and like the cool, crisp flavor and texture.

Here in Massachusetts we have weekend markets and it's easy to find them with the Mass Federation of Farmer's Market site.
http://www.massfarmersmarkets.org/

And, there are a lot of markets that you can shop on a lunch hour. Certainly the Harvard Market had lots of shopper who were having their lunch and shopping.

Our public radio station has also created a locate a Farmers Market button on their Public Radio Kitchen site. They produced a great map.
http://storage.wbur.org/prk_farmersmarket/

Nationally, Local Harvest can help find markets that will fit your schedule.
http://www.localharvest.org/

The other great idea is going out to farm stands on weekends.

Congratulations!

You have "Served" your SE readers well. I've found myself watching conversations between members of a restaurant's wait staff with interest wondering if they were talking about some of the topics you covered.

Recently, I smiled listening to a bartender chat with a friend who was sitting at his bar while still taking good care of our group. Thinking about a piece you wrote made me relax and see that the visit was making him happy, and he was being extra nice to us because of it.

Best wishes for much success. We hope you find another spot for your writing talent here at SE. And, let me know if you make your way to Boston on this journey of yours.

You deserve a 25% tip for great service to your readers!

Welcome Grace! If you visit Boston, I'll point you to a couple of go-to people for restaurant recommendations!

"Toad in a Hole" from my Rhode Island, French Canadian/Irish background.