Earth Day
Project Grows seeks Youth Leaders, Blue Ridge Marathon, Asparagus
Though we think you’ll agree every day is earth day, that won’t keep us from celebrating the earth this weekend. Our region is abuzz with events and activities for all ages 🌎
In Roanoke, the Blue Ridge Marathon takes place Saturday morning. Known as the toughest road marathon with 7,000 (!!) feet of elevation change, the race will see runners chart a course across downtown and then up and around Mill Mountain and along the Blue Ridge Parkway before descending and looping back to downtown. Come cheer your loved ones on and check out the Star City. For a food and beverage centric list of activities, be sure to read our Roanoke Edible Excursions column.
Welcome to the Edible Blue Ridge newsletter that brings you food stories from our region and beyond. You're receiving this email because you've purchased a magazine subscription—thank you!—or you signed up via our online form. If you need to opt out at any time, there's a link at the bottom. We're glad you're here.
Thanks for reading, happy eating, and enjoy your weekend,
Lisa - Publisher & Editor
MOVERS & SHAKERS: Project Grows Youth Leaders
Calling all teens 16+! Nonprofit Project Grows is looking for teenagers for their Youth Leadership in Agriculture summer program. The program’s mission is to build a career pathway for underserved youth in the local food economy. Through paid ($11/hr) hands-on learning, leadership and mentoring workshops, and justice-oriented instruction, youth will learn skills in farming and entrepreneurship.
This summer participants will learn about sustainable agriculture, farming methods, nutrition, biodiversity, and will be immersed in the local food community. Apply Now
EVENTS
Have an event you’d like us to share? Email: info@edibleblueridge.com
4.22 Wool & Wine Festival - Madison
4.22 Rocktown Beer & Music Festival - Harrisonburg
4.22 Community Gardens Earth Day Event - Roanoke
4.23 Terrarium Workshop - Harrisonburg
4.25 Ask An Agroforester: Tree Propagation From Seed - Online
4.26 The Art of Cocktails - Charlottesville
4.29 Bee Camp: Beekeeping for Beginners - Crozet
5.12-5.14 The Beekeeping Experience - Spikenard Bee Sanctuary, Floyd
MORE TO CHEW ON
🌾 As our climate changes, do farmers need to change which crops they grow? Civil Eats reports on the Utopian Seed Project, a living laboratory for agricultural diversity.
Leftover cooking: two new cookbooks encourage us to eliminate food waste with refrigerator cooking 🍳- from EATER.
Farmers, have you completed your survey for the USDA NASS Census of Agriculture? This census is conducted every five years and the data is used for a multitude of programs, including those designed to assist American farmers 🚜🚜🚜 .
Do you add Gochujang to spice up your Margarita? Can you microwave a cocktail 🍹? Learn some tricks for incorporating common kitchen tools and ingredients into your cocktail regime.
WHAT WE’RE COOKING
Did you know, the tenderness of asparagus spears has nothing to do with how thin/thick they are? Rather, tenderness is indicative of optimal growing conditions and how long it has been stored after harvest. With this in mind, it’s best to purchase asparagus right from the growing source, the farmer. Head to your local farmers market this weekend and snag a bundle of this spring favorite.
Here are a few of our favorite asparagus recipes:
Asparagus Frittata with Feta & Green Onions - Edible Dallas
Stir-Fried Rice with Asparagus, Peas & Mushrooms - Edible Rhody
Glazed Asparagus, Grilled Ramps, Soft Poached Egg - Edible Boston
Asparagus & Spring Pea Ravioli - Edible Blue Ridge
POEM OF THE WEEK
Harold’s Chicken Shack #1
by Nate Marshall
i was born by a lake, chicken shack,
& a church
— Common, “The Morning”
1st defense against food deserts.
when the whitefolk wouldn't sling
us burgers you gave no fuck.
stuck your golden-ringed hand
into the flour & fixed the bird.
you 1st example of black flight.
original innovation of deep fry.
you beef tallow, city slick
& down home migration taste.
of course your sauce sweet
& burn at the same time.
of course you call it mild
so whitefolk won't know
to fear until it's too late.
you no corporate structure,
just black business
model. they earn the recipe
& go make it their own.
every cut of crow you
throw in the grease is dark
meat. the whole shack:
shaking, drenched in mild
sauce, sweet spirit, baptized.
Nate Marshall, "Harold’s Chicken Shack #1" from Wild Hundreds. Copyright © 2015 by Nate Marshall. From Poetry Foundation
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