Le Taz Hot
Le Taz Hot's JournalNumber Of Farmers Markets In U.S. Surges
FRESNO, Calif. -- As demand for locally grown fruits and vegetables has increased, so too has the number of urban farmers markets sprouting up across the nation.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Friday that the number of direct-sales markets has increased 9.6 percent in the past year, with California and New York leading the way.
"Farmers markets are a critical ingredient to our nation's food system," USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan said. "These outlets provide benefits not only to the farmers looking for important income opportunities, but also to the communities looking for fresh, healthy foods."
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/03/number-of-us-farmers-mark_n_1738449.html?utm_hp_ref=food#slide=more190858
Anyone interested in the sustainability movement might like this short article.
REAL Farmers Markets (not the resellers but the actual farmers selling directly to the public) have been such a boon to buyers who get a much greater variety of fresh produce as well as to farmers who get a far greater profit selling direct to the public.
I canned peaches last Saturday that I bought from a local farmer. Picked and canned in the same day. Today I made a peach pie out of those same peaches. Probably the best peach pie I ever had (even if I do say so myself). The point being that there is no comparison between the cardboard stuff you buy at the grocery store and something that has come to market literally hours after it's been picked.
Local News Coverage from Yesterday's Protest
Here's video/stories about yesterday's protest at Chic-fil-Hate. All 5 stations were there (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and Univision) but only ABC, CBS and FOX had video coverage. I was mistaken yesterday when I said Fox's equipment broke down right as they were beginning to film. it was actually NBC's. I went to the Univision site but I couldn't find coverage there though my Spanish sucks so it might be and I just didn't see it.
Anyway, notice the "fair and balanced" coverage by most of them.
NBC: Story only -- no video:
This report says "dozens" showed up. Bullshit! There were at least a couple hundred if not more. The picture they showed must have been at about 5:00 because by 5:30 the place was packed.
http://www.ksee24.com/news/local/Chik-fil-A---AAS-164950386.html
Fox:
http://www.kmph.com/category/170789/video-landing-page?clipId=7578536&topVideoCatNo=109971&autoStart=true
ABC: This one REALLY screwed up by saying we were backed by Focus on the Family and other hate groups. Obviously, that was the OTHER side. 
There's a quick shot of me at about 2:27. I'm the short one with the tie-die t-shirt and hat.
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/video?id=8759906
CBS: 'This one does correctly say "hundreds" showed up:
http://www.cbs47.tv/news/local/story/Chick-Fil-A-Protest-Continue-In-Fresno/QBAruS6ZqkWru22sAWL7Hg.cspx
One thing I'd like to add. When you see someone referring to Fresno residents as all "pukes" and hayseeds and ignorant farmers, could you PLEASE remember we also have thousands of wonderful people like these.
LTH
Just Got Back From the "Chic-Fil-Hate" Protest
We had a really great showing, maybe 200-300 people which is pretty amazing since there was only 2 days notice. There was good representation from all age groups, both gay and straight.
Had some really great signs. Mine said: "It's not about the 1st Amendment, it's about the 14th Amendment."
All the local news stations showed up (I'm sure it was just a coincidence that the local Fox Nooz equipment magically stopped working just when they were beginning to film). Later I hope to be able to post a link to the news story and/or photos.
At 6:00 all the couples who wanted to participate lined up to go into the Chic-Fil-Hate and had a mass kiss-in. Very cool!
Needless to say there were a few assholes. Most drove by waving their Chic-Fil-Hate cups with either our local hate radio or Christian radio blaring. No matter. Everyone kept their cool and obeyed the law. And can you believe it? No cops! At least not visible.
Finally had to leave after an hour as my breathing just wasn't going to hold up much longer.
Had a great time. It's good to feel energized by something again.
LTH
CALL TO ACTION
All who have Chic-Fil-Hates in their cities/towns (I just found out we have one), put your outrage to use and support the "Same-Sex-Kiss-In" TODAY.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/02/us/us-chick-fil-a-debate/index.html
Gay or straight if you're as sickened as I am about Wednesday's Bigotry-on-display find out where and when your local action is and join in. I plan on finding any same-sex person willing to kiss a middle-aged broad and plant some big ones.
Fuck the bigots!
LTH
What to do with Butternut Squash
So I had this idea about periodically posting a "What to do with ________" and I pitched it to Lucinda who thought it was a good idea. The foodstuffs can be anything from the ordinary to the exotic and, of course, anyone can start a thread. From there our DU cooks can chime in and add their favorite recipes.
I'm lucky enough to live in a farming area and we have a lot of Southeast Asian farmers who have lots of strange and intriguing fruits and veggies of which I don't have the first idea what to do with so this might just be the perfect opportunity.
So . . . to start it off, I wanted to post one on Butternut Squash since I, up until now, had very limited experience cooking with it. Here are two recipes that I tried and absolutely LOVE.
Butternut Squash Soup
Ingredients:
1 (2 to 3 pounds) butternut squash, peeled and seeded
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 medium onion, chopped
6 cups chicken stock*
Nutmeg
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions:
Cut squash into 1-inch chunks. In large pot melt butter. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add squash and stock. (*I didn't thaw out enough chicken stock so I substituted 2 cups of veggie stock and it worked fine.) Bring to a simmer and cook until squash is tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove squash chunks with slotted spoon and place in blender and puree (you may have to had some liquid from the stock to get the blender blades moving). Return blended squash to pot. Stir and season with nutmeg and cook on a simmer for about 30 minutes.
Butternut Squash Pie
Ingredients:
1 9-inch pie shell
2 cups cooked butternut squash
2 eggs, separated
3/4 cup firmly-packed light brown sugar
1-1/2 cups evaporated milk
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp ground ginger
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Beat egg yolks with sugar until light in color. Add squash, milk and seasonings. Beat egg white until stiff and fold into squash mixture. Pour into pie shell and bake for about 30 - 35 minutes. Let cool at least 2 hours to ensure contents solidify.
Anyone have any butternut squash recipes they'd like to contribute?
LTH
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