By Ginger Clarke, Associate Broker Santa Fe Realty Partners
Whether or not you’re a stranger to your kitchen, it’s still the heart of the home. Especially in the winter months, while we’ve watched a seemingly endless supply of snow blanket our homes, we strive to find contentment in the kitchen.
As 2010 progresses, I’ve become more aware of the food that enters my kitchen. With the Santa Fe Farmer’s Market moving into their new home at the Railyard, I’ve frequented and become an instant convert to baby beets, fresh chard, fingerling potatoes, heirloom tomatoes and organic beef. Not only do we have access to the freshest and highest quality locally-grown produce, but often the stories from the growers about a purchase make you realize the love these farmers have for their crops and the people who consume them.
This brings me to share another wonderful secret about our Santa Fe—the Slow Food movement. With over 200 Slow Food chapters across the country, Santa Fe can boast being one of the best.
According to the sponsoring organization, slow food is an idea—a way of living and a way of eating. It is a global, grass roots movement with thousands of members around the world that link the pleasure of food with a commitment to community and the environment. Basically, this organization’s mission is to raise public awareness and improve access to foods that are local, seasonal and sustainably grown.
I’ve had the pleasure of attending a Slow Food dinner where members, growers and chefs prepared a feast fit for kings, served under the canopy of aging cottonwoods on a quiet, starry Santa Fe night. Roasted lamb, fresh vegetable casseroles, cheese plates, artisan breads, Gruet wines, and tart apricot pie were the guests of honor. Our hearty applause after each course was the sincerest expression of love for the local growers and the kind people who prepared the meal.
Try it—your kitchen will never be the same.
For more information about the Slow Food movement:
www.slowfoodusa.org or http://slowfoodsantafe.blogspot.com/
Tags: arts & culture, food, santa fe food, slow food