’tis the season for strawberries in North Carolina. When it comes to truly tasty food, you have to strike while the iron is hot, as the proverbial saying goes. That means getting produce when it’s in season, and the closer it’s grown to you the fresher and/or riper it should be. So before the strawberries […]
There’s a bit of a buzz about Swiss chard right now. Maybe it’s a small buzz, but just go with it. A couple of mentions and re-shares on social media are enough to proclaim Swiss chard is the new “it” produce in North Carolina. Last Tuesday, NCDA&CS posted some information about Swiss chard on Facebook, […]
February is almost over, which means that National Sweet Potato Month is coming to an end. It’s only right that we end off the month with one more sweet potato dish, and one that might just help satisfy your sweet tooth, too! As we discussed in another recent blog post, small fingerling sweet potatoes make […]
This time of year it’s pretty difficult to find truly local produce that’s in season in North Carolina. Collards certainly are an option, and there may be some goodies growing in greenhouses. There’s certainly not an abundance of local farm-fresh food though. (Check out the N.C. in-season guide here.) This is why canning and other […]
During the colder months, it’s always nice to have a homemade, warm breakfast recipe to turn to. Whether you make this a regular weekend breakfast for the family, or spoil your friends and house guests with this delicious and sweet dish, the recipe is sure to be a favorite. North Carolina ranks 9th in the […]
There’s no better way to prepare for a cold weekend in the Carolinas like with a perfect cup of eggnog. While you’re preparing for the winter weather and making the last-minute bread and milk run, be sure to grab these ingredients. Be sure to grab local produce and items at your local grocery store and […]
Need a last-minute dessert to bring to your family Thanksgiving dinner? Celebrate Thanksgiving and the upcoming holidays with this quick and easy twist on Pecan Pie that all your friends and family are sure to love. Pecans are a staple in any southern household, but especially here in North Carolina. Our state produces 3 to […]
In North Carolina, summer isn’t defined by blue skies, sunny days and barbecue – we have that all year long. Instead, we know it’s summer when blueberry season rolls around. Fittingly, Blueberry Day at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh was held on Thursday, June 21 – the day of the summer solstice. Farmers gathered […]
Good news! It’s strawberry season! Farmers markets, grocery stores and pick-your-own fields are finally teeming with red, ripe berries. Unusually cool temps had delayed the season by a few weeks. North Carolina is the third-largest producer of strawberries in the nation, with about 1,200 acres harvested across the state. The peak of the state’s strawberry […]
Pies are a holiday dessert staple. We found the holiday recipe below on Facebook and it uses pecan toffee made in Chapel Hill. This simple recipe will impress your guests and just might be the hit of any holiday gathering. Since 2006 the Graves Family has been selling their toffee, which is a secret family […]
Red, white and blue are the traditional colors used to celebrate the 4th of July, which is great news for fruit lovers because watermelons, cantaloupes, blueberries, strawberries and blackberries can make a great fruit salad. Fresh fruit is abundant at farmers markets across the state. A watermelon fruit bowl makes a delicious and attractive side […]
Since 1926, the Agricultural Review has been a free newspaper published by the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. For many years, The Tar Heel Kitchen was a featured column written by the department’s marketing home economist. These recipes tended to be seasonal with just a handful of ingredients. We thought these recipes needed […]