The northern quahog - a.k.a. - the clam
Clamming – one of the most ancient ways of gathering food. No equipment required, except maybe a bucket if you’re lucky. Slowly walking in low tide, using your feet to grope the sand and sediment, you feel for the hard rounded shape of the northern quahog. Fill your bucket and head home to steam them up.
At one time New York provided more than 60% of the nation’s hard clams.
Think the farmer’s market is only for fruits and veggies? Well you’re missing out then. There are a lot of farmers who produce more than just produce! Visit your local farmer’s market to find out what else is available. You will often fine handmade jam, pickles, apple ciders, wines, and even cheese. When you think of fine cheeses you assume they are made in Italy or France but there are many artisan cheese makers that are replicating the fine art of cheese making right in your back yard.
Dancing Ewe Farm pecorino
Dancing Ewe Farm in Granville NY has been producing fine cheeses since 2003. Raising their own sheep and making it all by hand they are able to preserve the traditional italian recipes and ultimately the taste.
We just can’t help ourselves! Walking around the farmer’s market during the first of spring is so inspiring. All of the color, all of the leafy greens, and who can forget the sweet as sugar strawberries. YUM!
Here’s some snaps that the girls of OST took while shopping for their fruits and veggies in and around NYC’s Green Markets. Get out there and snap some pics of your own!
Don’t adjust your screen – these eggs do look blue and it’s not because we dyed them…
They were naturally made by Araucana chickens. A breed of chicken that originates from Chile and has become popular for producing”Easter” eggs.
Though they may be prettier to look at on the outside, they are no different on the inside than any other chicken egg.
So green eggs and ham step aside … blue eggs are here to stay!
These particular eggs came from Farmer Lynn Fleming of Lynnhaven Farm in Pine Bush NY.
The ingredients you see here are all found at the Union Square Farmers Market in New York City. Don’t let your eyes be taken over by the green of the ramps, scallions, and chives though…look deeper into the picture and notice what these ingredients were placed on. Recently Bette was in Texas she found herself antiquing – which often happens since it is one of her favorite things to do – and she came across a heavily painted white frame with this old mirror in it. The frame was discarded and what was left – a beautiful surface. Sometimes the cover isn’t the best way to judge… open it up and see what’s inside, it could be the perfect object.
Welcome to Our Seasonal Table – a blog about local seasonal food, photography, and styling. A collaboration between four woman who take pictures, cook, eat, and prop for the perfect object. We hope you love this blog as much as we have come to love creating it together.
Click on each person’s name to the left to find out what they are passionate about.
Check back weekly for tips on prop styling from Bette, photography tips from Beth, recipes from AJ, and the occasional tip on preserving from Sara.