Countryside Conservancy Blog

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This year marks the Centennial of the National Park Service. NPS will officially turn 100 on August 25, 2016! Cuyahoga Valley National Park has a number of special events, from BioBlitz to orchestra performances at Blossom Music Center, happening throughout the spring and summer to celebrate this important milestone. As a park partner, Countryside is also planning some fun ways you can come out and join in the celebration! We are especially excited about Picnic in the Park, taking place on June 18. Come out and enjoy a picnic at your favorite spot in the park that day. Gather your picnic goodies at the Countryside Farmers’ Market at Howe Meadow that morning… either by visiting your favorite vendors and putting your own picnic together, or let us help with that! We’ll be taking orders for picnic lunches for pickup at the market. Not sure where the best picnic spots in the park are? Countryside will take care of that, too, by providing a map showing where you can enjoy your picnic. Maybe you’ll discover a new favorite place in the park you’ve never visited before. We’ll have more details on this and other Centennial events coming soon. We hope you’ll come out to your national park to enjoy events and celebrate! Remember, this is the year to #FindYourPark! Read More...

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Thanks to Carla Owens for preparing these items at the market last weekend!

Creamed Greens

Ingredients
1 stick butter
* T flour
1/2 Med onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups milk
Salt and Pepper to taste
Pinch of nutmeg
Pinch of ginger
24 oz Spinach (can also include Swiss chard, kale, radish or turnip greens)

Melt 1 stick of butter in a pot.  Sprinkle in flour and whisk until smooth.  Coke over medium heat until light golden brown.  Add onion and garlic, stir and cook until fragrant.  Pour in milk while whisking constantly, and cook for about five minutes.  Ad greens in increments until all are incorporated, and cook until wilted but not soggy.  Season with salt, pepper, ginger and nutmeg.  For a twist you can add fennel pollen, bacon, ramps or parmesan cheese.

Quick Bok Choy Salad with Tahini Dressing

Salad Ingredients
2 heads bok choy, chopped into 1/2 inch pieces
3 cusp  red cabbage, sliced thinly
1 Tbsp sesame seeds
1/4 cup fresh mint
10 dandelion flowers (optional)

Dressing Ingredients
6 Tbsp sesame seeds
4 cloves of garlic (fresh ramps or garlic scapes make a nice substitute)
2/3 cup white wine vinegar
4 Tbsp honey
4 Tbsp olive oil
4 Tbsp soy sauce

Combine bok choy, cabbage, mint, dandelion flowers and sesame seeds in a large bowl and toss.  Put all dressing ingredients in blender and process until the consistency is creamy and thickened.  Pour over salad, toss, and serve.

Curried Spinach Salad

Salad Ingredients
2 Tbsp scallions, sliced
8 cups fresh spinach
1/2 cup chopped apples
1/2 cup raisins
Chopped peanuts to taste

Dressing Ingredients
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tbsp chutney
2 tsp sugar
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp dry mustard

Combine salad ingredients in a large bowl and toss.  Process dressing ingredients in blender until well combined, toss with salad and serve. Read More...

Countryside Conservancy celebrates the arrival of spring with a special downtown Akron farmers’ market at the Akron Art Museum and Akron-Summit County Public Library on Saturday, April 11 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The two locations will house over 40 local farmers, food producers, and artisans providing seasonal foods and handmade gifts. Visitors will find fresh spring produce; pasture-raised beef, pork, poultry, lamb, and bison; artisan cheeses; handmade breads, pastries, and pasta and much more.  Read More...