Dark Days Challenge Recap

We had a couple of meals this past week made with mostly local foods. It IS getting more and more difficult, though. Even the little Farmer's market that runs year round had only one stand with produce last week. So, more squash and greens. I still haven't really researched more options for chicken that originates within 200 miles of Portland. My standard source for most of our food, other than the farm markets is our neighborhood New Seasons store. Their chicken comes from a family-owned farm in northern California where they grow and process free-range chickens that are vegetarian-fed and antibiotic-free. So, until I check out other sources that friends have suggested, we will continue to use theirs. The trade- off is that the New Seasons store is very close to my house and other options will involve driving, or driving farther.

With that in mind, one of our dinners this week was chicken and black bean chili with corn. Aside from the chicken and a bell pepper, I was able to find canned, frozen or fresh vegetables for the remainder of the chili that came from Oregon and Washington. On another evening, I used some of our squash from the farm market - buttercup and delicata - in a "Moroccan-Inspired Roasted Squash Soup". In addition to the squash, it has onions, garlic and a Pink Lady apple (from Washington) plus vegetable broth that I had made. Cumin, coriander, ginger, allspice and paprika make this a very interesting and tasty soup. We garnished it with fresh lemon juice and cilantro (from much farther away) and Walla Walla sweet onions.

Last night, in a slight nod to the traditional Super Bowl party food, I baked buffalo chicken wings for dinner. These again were from California with the sauce put on at New Seasons. But, we were able to accompany it with a nice selection of roasted vegetables - squash, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and more of that sweet onion.

Now, I have a few days before having to think about it again since we have both soup and chili left for a few more meals. I think we should have some more fish soon, though, so I'll check to see what is available from close by.

Here is the chili and the squash and potatoes (before roasting). I don't have this whole photo in the blog thing figured out so I don't know why they won't line up. But, one of these days.....













Lastly, my congratulations to my New York end of the family where there was great joy last night with the Giants' upset in the Super Bowl. I've forgiven you for cheering for a team that eliminated the Packers' hopes and am happy that your folks beat the supposedly unbeateable team.