After arriving in the country by train, the New Canaan Farmer’s Market beckoned. While it does not offer the diversity in its offerings as Union Square, New Canaan delivers a lovely bounty. Garlic Scapes were most delightful, as were beet greens, 1960’s style strawberries, sugar snap peas, and red and green hothouse tomatoes. An impressive Focaccia, and fresh mozzarella rounded out the day’s purchases.

Fast, Simple, New Canaan Farmer’s Market Supper

Sugar Snap Peas with Garlic Scapes:

Rinse the Sugar Snap Peas and three Scapes in a colander. Sauté in extra virgin olive oil until tender. Place in a small bowl.

Beet Greens with sautéed with Garlic Scapes:

Rinse the Greens and six Scapes in the same colander. Using a scissor, cut them into one inch strips - save the beet root with purple stems attached. Sauté the Scapes until softened in the original skillet, add the Greens and a bit more extra virgin olive oil, and cook turning occasionally until al dente.

Red and Green Tomatoes with Mozzarella:

Rinse, slice, drizzle, and sea salt to taste.

Plate all three and serve with a wedge of Focaccia.

Serve the sweet Strawberries for dessert.

Vegan Beet Brunch

Cut the beet stems off of the roots. Wash three Garlic Scapes, and cut them with the stems into half inch strips.

Slice the beets paper thin. Sauté beets in extra virgin olive oil while rummaging through vegetable drawers.

Find three small, colorful potatoes, and also slice paper thin. Add to skillet, sauté until soft.

Add Scapes and Stems, and sauté until al dente. Serve vegan or with a risqué poached egg on top.

New Canaan Farmer’s Market
Old Center School Parking Lot
Corner of South Avenue, Maple Street, and Main Street
Every Saturday though Nov. 22
10:00 – 2:00
http://newcanaanfarmersmarket.net

1. Method Olive Leaf Natural Moisturizing Hand Wash
$5.00 for 10 fl. oz.

When the current bottle of hand soap is depleted, it should be replaced with Method Natural Hand Wash – Almond Flower or Olive Leaf. Infused with vitamins A and E, and containing olive oil and glycerin, this cleanser will satisfy the queen of the germaphobes while preventing further damage to her skin. Method is a non-toxic, carbon neutral company, which strives to eliminate unnecessary water use.

2. Burt’s Bees Hand Salve
$9.00 for 3 oz.

Packaged in a recyclable round aluminum tin, this thick, solid balm moisturizes and heals – ingredients include sweet almond oil, olive oil, rosemary leaves, and lavender flowers. The scent is surprisingly of an expensive perfume.

3. Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
$12.50 for 2.5 fl. oz.

The most luxurious, with the aroma of Eucalyptus, containing avocado, and sesame seed oil, used overnight, this lotion heals and refurbishes the worst of winter woes. Kiehl’s prints labels with soy inks, when possible, and uses recyclable materials in their packaging.

Available at:

http://www.methodhome.com/

http://www.burtsbees.com/

http://www.kiehls.com/

Biodynamic, a term denoting farming without the use of chemicals, pesticides, hormones, genetically modified materials, and synthetic fertilizers, while utilizing crop rotation, and a holistic dedication to implementing the idea of the farm as entirely self contained.

Chosen within Appellation Wine and Spirits rigorous selection of biodynamic, organic, and sustainable wines, with the two-point criteria of being both biodynamic and affordable, here are ten wines for less then twenty dollars:

1. Montirius Vin de Pays du Vaucluse Le Cadet de Montirius 2005
$9.99/bottle
$8.99/bottle mixed case

Christine and Eric Saurel, fifth generation artisan wine producers in Provence, currently in their eleventh fully biodynamic year, own the Montirius estate, a contraction of the names of their three children, “Ma (Manon) – ti (Justine) – rius (marius.)” Converting to eco methods as far back as 1980, when Eric’s father, Max Saurel, stopped using chemical fertilizers on the land, the vineyard was transformed to biodynamic in 1996, producing their first wine from biodynamic grapes in 1999. The estate is certified organic by Ecocert and Biodynamic by Biodyvin.

Made in concrete tanks without aging in wood, this blend of 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah, 10% Carignan, and 5% Merlot tastes of licorice and raspberry with the scent of blueberry. A balanced wine, with intense minerality.

2. Menguante Garnacha 2005
$10.99/bottle
$9.89/bottle mixed case

Vinedos y Bodegas Pablo, a winery owned by the Pablo family since 1760, is located in Almonacid de la Sierra, Spain. 100% Garnacha, aged 22 months in French oak barrels, this is robust, tannic, full-bodied, with an aroma of sweet black fruit.

3. Quattro Mani Toh-kai 2007
$11.99/bottle
$10.79/bottle mixed case

Movia, a 38-acre vineyard and winery purchased by Ales Kristancic’s ancestors in 1820, and located in Italy, became partially part of Slovenia when the First World War altered the border. Kristancic, a rebel in the winemaking community known for his passion for biodynamics, was commissioned by the importer Domaine Select to continue to produce his Tocai under their label. Golden, with citrus aromatics, stone fruit, orange, and herbs, it has a medium body, and nutty finish.

4. Guy Bossard Muscadet Classique 2006
$15.99/bottle
$14.39/bottle mixed case

From the Muscadet de Sevre-et-Maine region of France, Guy Bossard has been producing biodynamically since 1986, previously organic since 1975. His specialty, Muscadet, an affordable white wine exclusively from the Loire Valley, is more nuanced, with pronounced saline, mineral, and almond notes, citrus and a racy acidity.

5. Soellner Wogenrain Grüner Veltliner 2007
$15.99/bottle
$14.39/bottle mixed case

After marrying Toni Sollner in 1995, Daniela Vigne decided to join him, a farmer and wine producer, in creating an organic-biodynamic vineyard, Soellner, in Austria. Their land has been organic since 1997, and biodynamic since 2004, certified by Demeter. The Gruner Veltliner comes from hand picked grapes slowly fermented in stainless steel tanks. Light, with a fine, fresh, nose, and a fruity taste this is a harmonic but characteristic Veltliner.

6. Domaine des Sablonnettes Les Copains d’Abord Groslot 2007
$15.99/bottle
$14.39/bottle mixed case

Christine and Joel Menard run the Loire based winery Domaine des Sablonnettes. Finding a 100% Grolleau is extremely difficult, the vines having been replaced with Gamay and Cabernet Franc, due to the thinness and acidity of the grape. With a dark blackberry color, this Grolleau is light-bodied, straightforward and juicy, masterful.

7. Domaine Sainte Barbe Macon l’Expression du Chardonnay 2005
$17.99/bottle
$16.19/bottle mixed case

From the Burgundy region of France, this Chardonnay has a medium body, crisp acidity, with citrus, mineral, and oak.

8. Château Puy Arnaud Maureze Cotes de Castillon 2004
$18.99/bottle
$17.09/bottle mixed case

A Merlot from the appellations Cotes de Castillon, France, which, while east of St-Emilion, shares similarities but not its price.

9. Montinore Estate Pinot Noir 2007
$19.99/bottle
$17.99/bottle mixed

Rudy Marchesi and his youngest daughter Kristin manage the Montinore Estate, a 230-acre biodynamic vineyard and winery. Montinore, located in Oregon, received Biodynamic certification from Demeter in the summer of 2008. The property became organic in 2001, and began the transition to biodynamic in 2005. With raspberry and cherry notes, hints of rhubarb and chocolate, and a medium body – a biodynamic Pinot Noir could not be more chic.

10. ‘07 Champ de Treilles Sainte-Foy “Vin Passion”
$14.39/bottle
$13.49/bottle mixed case

Certified organic since 1993, the 126 acre Patianna Organic Vineyards in McDowell Valley, California, was Demeter certified Biodynamic in 2000. Honeydew melon, white peach, and citrus with wild fennel scent the grape, with flavors of grapefruit and lemon.

Order Online or by Phone from:

Appellation Wine & Spirits
156 10th Avenue btw 19th and 20th Streets
New York, NY 10011
212.741.9474
www.appellationnyc.com

To start, they offer a fennel white bean pâté with seeded flatbread and pickled Thanksgiving vegetables.  Of their famed soups, on this occasion you may choose between a celery root bisque with shiitake mushrooms and parsley oil or a roast garlic broth with tatsoi and sourdough croutons.

You are then served a colorful salad of arugula tossed with roast sweet corn, spiced pumpkin seeds, walnuts and roast red kuri squash, dressed with aged balsamic-orange vinaigrette.  The main course includes a choice of either roast carnival squash with a bountiful filling of quinoa, wild rice, amaranth, spelt berries, fried tempeh cubes and toasted pecans, studded with root vegetable confetti – served over wilted broccoli rabe and herbed shallot gravy, and garnished with red pepper coulis, or a tower of tender grilled seitan with roast cremini mushrooms and caramelized red onions, layered with sautéed radicchio and Lacinato kale, atop a creamy parsnip mash over a red wine reduction, and garnished with frizzled sage leaves and garlic chips. Both entrees are served with roast Brussels sprouts & cauliflower.
Dessert requires that age old decision – tradition, something delicately different, or chocolate: Pumpkin Pie with coconut whip, Seckel Pear-Almond Upside Down Cake with vanilla bean custard & caramel sauce, or Chocolate Mousse with cranberry coulis & chocolate-phyllo cigar.
Tea, Chai, or Grain Coffee with toasted almond milk is included. Bring your own wine or beer – there is no corkage fee!

Angelica Kitchen
300 East 12th Street (Between First and Second Avenues)
212.228.2909
www.angelicakitchen.com
Noon - last seating at 8:30
$50.00 per person, plus tax and tip
Cash Only

*Please call to confirm your reservation, 212-228-2909, Monday November 24, no later than 5:00 p.m. (If they do not receive a confirmation call on this date, they will offer the table to another party.)

*Plan to arrive with your complete party at the designated time, as they will only hold your reservation for 15 minutes.

This season, unconventional colors and patterns are the new orange. Pumpkins come in skin tone matching green, white with green stripes, and a garishly cheerful white with orange stripes. If you want to be pop-u-lar, though your urban baby flies free, a mix of white with green AND orange stripes is the Greenmarket Grimmerie.

A vase of sinister ink black gourds, accented with twisty curling bright gourds in shades of orange with yellow warts, and pale green with dark stripes makes a centerpiece worthy of the western sky.

If you can’t help but read the writing over the Emerald City, pumpkins for a dollar, and five for six gourds save you a more timely kind of green.

Union Square Greenmarket
Broadway at East 17th Street, New York
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

*Union Square is under construction – The Greenmarket begins at the Northwest corner of Union Square and wraps around the Southeast corner, including the southern second level.

Elegantly designed, often with a sense of humor, or refreshingly minimalist, examples of her letterpress cards on 100% recycled paper with 100% recycled kraft envelopes include “Joy,” the word printed simply in green with a festive border, “Happy New Year” in red with a hot water bottle, or for the aforementioned holiday:  phobias – in an alphabetical list with definitions, and poisonous plants, illustrated.

Cardstock, a box of forty cards claiming to be “every card you need this year,” includes six birthday, two congratulations, two valentines, six thank you, two mothers and two fathers day cards, two sympathy, two anniversary, four blank, two get well, six holiday, and four new year cards with forty-two envelopes, all made of 100% post-consumer paper, in a youthfully pretty motif.

For the most patriotic among us, available only until November of this year, are twenty-five white cards in a black box, with red lettering spelling one word: vote.

http://seteditions.com/index.html

• Joy: 8 letterpress cards w/ envelopes, $18
• Happy New Year: 8 letterpress cards w/ envelopes, $18
• Phobias: single letterpress card with envelope, $4
• Poisonous plants: single letterpress card with envelope, $4
• Cardstock: 40 offset cards, 42 envelopes, $60
• Vote: 25 cards, $8

The most luxurious knit fabric in the world, cashmere, made from the belly hair of the somewhat adorable goat, is natural. Supremely warm, soft, and strong, undyed cashmere, unlike synthetic fabric, gives off no environmental pollutants during processing, and is entirely biodegradable.  

Eileen Fisher, a company known for organic cotton and a commitment to natural fabrics long before green was a glittering trend, has expanded their eco line of organic cotton fine jersey, organic cotton canvas, unbleached undyed stretch denim, and fair trade organic cotton, both eco and undyed – to include organic linen, and hemp knit. 

While sustainability, craftsmanship, and great design are important to Eileen Fisher, always ahead of the movement at large, what is most refreshing is the company’s responsibility to women.  Using muti-generational, diverse women as models in their ads, while offering their clothing in sizes from petite through women’s, Eileen Fisher inspires a particularly fierce brand loyalty. 

Glovelettes in Natural Cashmere 
100% Cashmere 
10 inches long 
$78.00 

www.eileenfisher.com

With a portable lantern, which automatically illuminates during power failures, and a constantly lit plug-in base and charger, the Guardian utilizes warm white L.E.D.’s.

A longer lasting bulb that uses vastly less energy, light emitting diodes are the current environmental it girl.

According to the New York Times, L.E.D.’s use roughly fifteen percent of the energy of a standard bulb, with the technology developing rapidly.

Founded by designers Duane Smith and Stefane Barbeau, with eco sensitive ideals, in 2001, Vessel is located in a surprising center of product design, Boston.

Another standout in Vessel’s lighting product line – they also invent furniture, toys, and tabletop – is the Luau portable lamp. The soothing elegance of the design, and the bright but dimmable quality of the light make this lamp a beautiful environmental investment. The Guardian, however, seems to be a smart, functional standby.

Guardian

$29.00
or
$99.00 for a set of four

Runtime 10 hours, brightness: 1.5 candle
5.75x 2.75 x 1.5” lantern (146 x 70 x 38mm)
Material: abs
Rechargeable ni-cd batteries included
Electroluminescent lightsource in charger

Luau Portable Lamp

$199.00

Runtime: 6-10 hours, brightness: 50W equiv.
9 x 15” (230x 370mm)
Material: abs, polycarbonate
Rechargeable ni-mh batteries included
Dimmable LED lightsource

Available online:

www.vesselinc.com

View the article “Fans of L.E.D.’s Say This Bulb’s Time Has Come,” by Eric A. Taub, in the NY Times:

www.nytimes.com

Particularly useful for those who inhale, the Greenguard Environmental Institute has created standards to certify products based on low chemical and particle emissions – the Platner tables are Greenguard approved including surfaces of marble, granite, clear and bronze glass.  The base consists of either bright nickel finish with clear lacquer or painted metallic bronze.

Known for his design of Windows on the World, Warren Platner graduated from Cornell in 1941, gaining experience under Eero Saarinen, designer of the divine tulip chairs, and Kevin Roche, creator of the master plan of the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  He transitioned to independence amidst interior design for the Ford Foundation headquarters, in 1965. 

An icon of Mid-Century Modern Design, Warren Platner was awarded the Rome Prize in architecture in 1955, created the George Jensen Design Center in 1968, and in 1986, renovated the former Pan Am Building Lobby.

The Warren Platner Collection is available from Knoll and Design Within Reach.

Platner Coffee Table – 36 in.
$1,213
A fully licensed classic

www.knoll.com
www.dwr.com
www.greenguard.org

• Steel Wire rods with nickel finish and protected with clear lacquer
• 5” thick tempered glass, base with clear plastic extrusion ring
• 15.5” H, 36” Diameter, 18.5” Base Diameter 

The arrival of organic black mint at the Union Square Greenmarket provides an experimental update on the recipe. 

With a sublimely refreshing taste, and soothing but energizing scent, this sustainable, eco chic concoction really should be naughty.

Farmers Market Summer Cooler:

1.  Pour one third boiling water over a handful of black (or green) mint in the metal end of your Boston Shaker.

2.  Muddle using a Muddler or Bar Spoon – crush the mint to release the essential oils and aroma.

3.  Add maple syrup to desired sweetness.

4.  Fill with ice, and shake vigorously.

5.  Strain over ice into a Collins Glass and garnish with raspberries and place one sliced strawberry on the lip of the glass.

Available on Saturdays:

Gorzynski Ornery Farm – Organic Black Mint

Deep Mountain Maple – Maple Syrup

Stokes Farm – Raspberries

Sycamore Farms – Strawberries

Union Square Greenmarket
Broadway at East 17th Street, New York
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Institute of Contemporary Arts:  http://www.ica.org.uk/

*Union Square is under construction – The Greenmarket begins at the Northwest corner of Union Square and wraps around the Southeast corner, including the southern second level.