leeks

Who would have imagined, during the first act of Soupapalooza back in February, that the fourth act would come during a stretch of 70 degree weather and popping tulips? Never mind the weather, according to the calendar, it's still soup season. For week four of Soupapalooza, I bring you a light Spring Minestrone with Chicken Meatballs. 

We've got just a few reservations still open for this Sunday's local food event at Spoonriver. If you've been to a Simple, Good, and Tasty event before, you know that the food is just part of the fun (here are a few pictures from our last event at Lucia's). Still, the food is an important part. Here's a sneak peek at the menu:

Image Credit: Kate SommersHas there ever been a food more perfect than the carrot? Delicious raw or cooked, skinned or peeled, if I edited the dictionary, there'd be a carrot next to the word "superfood" (if I edited the dictionary, the word "superfood" would be included, yes). The picture would show those lovely orange roots (with green tops, of course) in my 7-year old boy's just-washed hands.

Do you have any idea how hard it is to eat five huge leeks each week? Who do the people at Harmony Valley Farm think I am? How much soup can I possibly eat? Don't they want me to spend my time writing blog posts? For goodness sakes, people, I'm doing the best I can! We make a terrific leek feta salsa, and my wife grilled leeks just the other day, but sheesh!

My daughter sure thinks so, but I dunno. We've got loads of rabbits in our yard, along with chipmunks, squirrels, and gophers. I'm pretty sure I've never seen a muskrat anywhere near my yard. But I do know this: yesterday morning I was raving to friends and co-workers about the state of our garden - the radishes, chives, leeks, snow peas, and potatoes were looking great - and when I got home, there was a big hole where the potato used to be. Mr. Muskrat, I have your number!

My daughter sure thinks so, but I dunno. We've got loads of rabbits in our yard, along with chipmunks, squirrels, and gophers. I'm pretty sure I've never seen a muskrat anywhere near my yard. But I do know this: yesterday morning I was raving to friends and co-workers about the state of our garden - the radishes, chives, leeks, snow peas, and potatoes were looking great - and when I got home, there was a big hole where the potato used to be. Mr. Muskrat, I have your number!