March 2010 – Veggicurious

Spring is Coming, but until then….

Folks, we are still in the dark days. I wish I could say that it wasn’t true, but as much as those few beautiful Philly days two weekends ago had me dreaming of summer tomatoes, it;’s just not that time yet. While those of us who are trying to eat seasonally are more than a bit tired winter vegetables, it’s cold and rainy this week (for now!). How about a nice pot of white bean soup? White beans cook quickly, even when you haven’t soaked them, and pair beautifully with carrots, kale, chard, potatoes and other winter wonders. How about some roasted red peppers or whole canned tomatoes from the summer? Give it a try, and know that spring, and fresh herbs, are coming.

Mama Gautsche’s Zucchini Cookies

My mother doesn’t actually make cookies – she’s far to healthy for that. But she does make these zucchini cookies, which are moist and delicious and wonderful. You can make these cookies as healthy as you want them to be. You can make them entirely with whole wheat pastry flour (pictured above) and even add some extra flax, like I usually do. You can make them with white flour (also pictured above) but substitute applesauce for half of the oil (like my mother does), or you could do a 50/50 white and wheat flour mix (also like my mother does does). And you can reduce the sugar by half (like both my mother and I do). Perhaps you even thought ahead and shredded and froze some zucchini last summer. Any way you like it, you’ll like these cookies. Credit where credit is due, the original recipe comes from the Lockport Mennonite Church Cookbook (hi Grandma!).

Zucchini Cookies

1 c sugar (I use 1/2 c ) ≈
1/2 c butter (I use half applesauce)
1 egg
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp cloves
2 c flour
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 c raisins
1 c shredded zucchini
1 c nuts–optional

Mix ingredients and bake at 357 degrees for 12-15 minutes. Do not over bake.

Linda Hanawalt
Lockport Mennonite Church Cookbook

Brunch at Honey’s Sit & Eat

It’s not easy to get into Honey’s – the line usually stretches out the door, and it’s hard to beat the rush. But if you can get in before your stomach forces you to go somewhere else, it’s worth it. Jewish-comfort-diner food i a cute setting with fresh squeezed orange juice and homemade pies. Though the sandwiches always tempt me, I don’t walk out of brunch without eggs. Pictured above, a daily special omelette with avocado, tomatoes, mushrooms and onions. Honey’s is famous for their potato latkes (also pictured above) but I have to admit – I’m not a fan. I just think that they’re to hard and crispy and greasy. Maybe some toasted challah or a fruit salad?

Negligent blogging, and an invitation

I know, I know. I’ve been a terrible blogger, but I have a decent excuse – I’ve been visiting my brother and sister in Europe and Morocco. Anyone who says that you can’t eat well as a vegetarian in Morocco is talking crazy, and in a few days I will prove it. Until then, hurryto sign up for this great fundraiser for my favorite local farm – Mill Creek. Awesome drinks, good food, and you can even get your cuticles massaged, all in a historic building. RSVP, have a couple of cocktails, and make a feel-good donation to Mill Creek!

Yelp! Philly Homegrown Party. Check-out the architecture at CITYSPACE, enjoy a cocktail and a mini-makeover in the Beauty Parlor room, and if you have a little too much fun, Zipcar will take you home, for free! All donations from this event will benefit Mill Creek Farm. Who else will be there? Supper, National Mechanics, Franklin Mortgage, ROOT, Organic Spirits, Tierra Mia Organic Nail Spa, Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, and more.

Yelp! “Philly Homegrown Party”
Saturday March 20th 8-10pm
CITYSPACE, 2200 Walnut St. Philadelphia
FREE
RSVP and information: Click Here