Veggie Trader

Veggie Trader

A lot of people make fun of my Twitter “habit”, but just tonight I was informed, via Twitter, about a cool site called Veggie Trader. It’s a site where if you’re looking for local produce: you join, enter your zipcode and see what your neighbors have available. Fresh fruits, veggies, and other things your neighbors are growing and want to buy/sell/swap with you. You can also post specific produce you’re looking for in their Wanted section and see which of your neighbors answers your request. What a cool concept, eh?

I joined and did a search within 10-15 miles of Philadelphia, but didn’t find anybody offering, selling, trading, or swapping veggies. How utterly sad. I mean, I know for a fact there are home produce growers in the Philly area. But on this site — well none represented in Philly.

People in the Metro San Francisco and NYC area that are already using this service. NYTimes just did an expose story on the Veggie Patches that people from Manhattan to Brooklyn to Long Island have spawned. People that sign up, meet and exchange veggies, fruits, nuts, and other home-grown foods via this service.

Just a couple weeks ago, via Twitter, I found a user who wanted to part with a bunch of vegetables they had. She had proclaimed “Free zucchini” to anybody who responded. I sent her a message, and via Twitter, we made arrangements for this transaction. I gave her my number, she texted me, and we made plans to meet up, close to my house. Our exchange happened in a minute or less. But it was facilitated through Twitter. I thought, how fucking cool is this?! Really, how awesome is that. I offered money, but she wouldn’t take it, because it came straight from her garden so it wasn’t necessary.

This is a fluke, though. How often does this happen? I have no idea, but I’m guessing not too often. I think people in Philly who grow or need fresh produce need to get up to speed on VeggieTrader.com.  If you’re into communal food growing and trading and into helping your neighbors, join VeggieTrader.com. A WIN-WIN situation all around!

Join, also, because I’m willing to take home-grown veggies off your hands!

Laura Ling <3 Hoagies!

Did y’all see this picture?!

Gotta love that!

Source: Meal Ticket

Simple Avocado Sandwiches

I went to Trader Joe’s (again) last week and got a bag of four avocados which was priced at $3.79, IIRC.  I know it was under $4.00.  Whatever, you just can’t beat that with a stick.  I love avocados – either as is or in guacamole.  But lately I have been obsessed with putting them on sandwiches.

Nothing fancy, just multi-grain bread, mayo or hummus, sliced avocado, and creamy goat cheese!  So simple, yet so satifying.  I really need to remember to start taking pictures.

So “good” a nun would eat it…

Is there anything more delicious and satisfying than a cannele? Well, maybe there is, but right now I’m enjoying one and can’t think of anything else. Creamy custard infused with orange zest, baked until the outside becomes carmelized and slightly crispy… That’s a cannele. Sort of like creme brulee in pastry form and it’s utterly amazing.

According to the Metropolitan Bakery cookbook, cannele were first created by medieval French nuns to help raise funds for the convent. Those nuns were on to something!

I’ve been thinking (way ahead) about baking and such for the holidays- it seems like cannele might be the way to go. The recipe is straightforward and ingredients are simple… Just need to get my hands on some cannele copper molds.

Bartending Jobs in Philly

I have a lot of writing to do – I want to post my Moroccan Stew recipe and also review Ly Michael’s, but I have been a bit distracted with other stuff.  Sorry folks!  Kate started her new job, so I don’t think she’ll be posting for a little while.

So I wanted to throw something out there to our dear readers.  Times are tough obviously.  I’m actually having a hard time finding a full-time day job in my chosen field (Interactive Marketing).  So I was actually thinking that I should maybe become a bartender.  I could probably be flexible with a schedule, allowing me to maybe take some classes during the day, and would make good tips. Any bartenders out there willing to train me? Any clubs/bars willing to hire me and train me on the job?

Philly Grub on KYW1060.com

Hey folks!

Kate and I did an interview for a KYW1060.com podcast. Click here, scroll to Philly Scene, and it’s the first link aptly title “Philly Grub” in the left nav (middle of the page). Enjoy!

Philly Grub: Adventures in Foodie-delphia

Welcome to Philly Grub: Adventures in Foodie-delphia.  A new Philly-based food blog.  There will be restaurant reviews, recipe sharing, food photos, cooking tips, gadget talk, and more!

Be sure to join our companion Philly Grub social network, too!