Next week in Long Island City, NY, the creme de la creme of cheese mongers will convene for the Cheese Monger Invitational. Caitlin O’Neill, the assistant manager of Sickles Market’s cheese department will be competing along with 49 other invitees to see who knows the most. There is a trip to France on the line here, and O’Neill, who has been invited back to this convention would like very much to win.
Some of the most beautiful things in the world start out covered in mud and soil. You have to get your hands dirty to get to the best bits, but it is worth it. If you aren’t growing beets in your garden this year, no worries, that’s what the farmers markets are there for.
Look past the dustiness and the huge green leaves. Don’t throw the leaves out though, they are full of vitamins and delicious to saute in oil with garlic.
Some say that it is little boys who are made from snips and snails and puppy dogs tails. They also say that little girls are made from sugar and spice. The Cinnamon Snail, a local vegan food truck has done a resounding job of putting what we all like together.
So far, this season is turning out to be quite pea pleasing. We grew three varieties and they all came up gangbusters. One of the favored side dishes from our kitchen is a saute of sugar snap peas, cherry tomatoes, and basil. Lots of sweet veggie crunch to a dish like this and it leaves you with the taste of summer in your mouth.
