DIG IN

The latest articles from Chelsea Green and our authors: offering tips and techniques about how you can bring our books to life in your kitchen, backyard, or community.

roasted root veggies

Roasted Root Veggies with Pomegranate Drizzle

Do you still have an abundance of root veggies from your final fall harvest? You’re in luck! This  pomegranate drizzle will add just the right amount of “oomph” to your favorite dish of roasted root veggies. The following recipe is from The Fruit Forager’s Companion by Sara Bir. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE:…

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Three pancakes on a griddle

The Grains Glossary and a Recipe for the Perfect Pancake

Grains are a ubiquitous part of the American diet and a staple in many of our favorite recipes. Bread? Yep, grains. Pasta? Grains there, too. Pancakes? Most definitely! With such a strong presence in our daily eating habits, shouldn’t we know more about what grains actually are and why they make our favorite foods taste…

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agricultural seed

A Short History of Agricultural Seed

Seeds are the foundation of agriculture. As John Navazio describes in this excerpt, America was once home to hundreds of small-scale agricultural seed producers, each of which developed seeds adapted to grow best in the surrounding region. Today, following the trend of most businesses, just a few large companies provide seed for farmers everywhere. With…

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Wood-fired Pizza Oven

Winter Pizza Duo Using a Sourdough Starter

Turn any night into pizza night! This sourdough pizza holds the secret to a stress-free weeknight dinner. Make the crust ahead of time and let it rise in the fridge. By dinnertime all you’ll need to do is shape the dough, add your toppings, and bake! This excerpt is from The Occidental Arts and Ecology…

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A Gift From the Gods: Blue Corn Bread

A sweet cornbread made with blue cornmeal draws on traditional Mexico and US Southwest flavors. The blue cornmeal gives its haunting flavor and lavender hue.

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Leeks: The Ultimate Winter Crop

Looking for a veggie to grow and harvest through winter? Try leeks! With some careful planning, a bit of elbow grease, and some insight from Eliot Coleman, you’ll enjoy leeks from your garden all year long.   The following is an excerpt fromThe Winter Harvest Handbook by Eliot Coleman. It has been adapted for the…

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Understanding The Etymology of Stocks and Broths

The importance of a good stock has been overshadowed by convenience. Now you have a better chance of finding quality ready-made stocks from a trusted source.

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seed detective

Becoming A True Seed Detective: Mastering the Mission

Did you ever wonder how leeks, kale, asparagus, beans, squash, and corn have ended up on our plates? Well, so did Adam Alexander, otherwise known as The Seed Detective.  The following is an excerpt from the The Seed Detective by Adam Alexander. It has been adapted for the web. My Seed-Detective Mission Crammed into two…

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stew

How to Make Groundnut Sweet Potato Stew

It’s officially stew season! Warm yourself up from the inside out by making groundnut sweet potato stew, a favorite of fermentation revivalist Sandor Katz. The following is an excerpt from Wild Fermentation by Sandor Katz. It has been adapted for the web. Fermenting Sweet Potatoes for Stew MaxZine, who lives down the road at IDA,…

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micro-farm

Starting A Micro-Farm: Tips for Getting Smaller

Want to set up your own micro-farm? These tips will help you learn how to simplify your work, increase profitability, and shape your ideas so you can create the perfect tiny farm for you. The following is an excerpt from The Lean Micro Farm by Ben Hartman. It has been adapted for the web. Unless…

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sourdough

How to Make a Sourdough Starter: Everything You Need to Know Starter Guide

Sourdough begins through spontaneous fermentation—essentially by getting your wheat wet! All you need to start a batch is flour and water.

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Build Your Own Cold Frame: Get a Jump on the Planting Season

Extend your planting season with a cold frame! Building your own cold frame is a simple way to keep growing plants all winter long. The following is an excerpt from Four-Season Harvest by Eliot Coleman. It has been adapted for the web. What Is A Cold Frame? Gardeners should dedicate a monument to the cold…

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potpie

Winter Root Veggie Potpie: A Seasonal Recipe

Looking for new ways to use those winter root veggies throughout the season? Put your cooking skills to the test with this Root Veggie Potpie recipe! The following is an excerpt from Black Trumpet by Evan Mallett. It has been adapted for the web. RECIPE: Winter Root Veggie Potpie When I was born, my mother…

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vinegar in soup

Vinegar in Soup: The Soup-er Secret Ingredient

Move aside, chicken noodle and tomato bisque! We’re trying out some new soups with one ingredient in common: vinegar. Flavorful and unique, these recipes will have you including vinegar in soup for years to come. The following is an excerpt from Wildcrafted Vinegars by Pascal Baudar. It has been adapted for the web. Adding Vinegar in…

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indoor gardening

6 Tips and Tricks for Indoor Gardening

Craving a fresh harvest during the winter months? Try indoor gardening to grow fresh greens and more year-round! Here are 6 articles to jump-start your indoor harvest and get you growing in no time. Must Have Tools for Successful Indoor Gardening The process of producing high-quality food inside requires time and attention, along with the…

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migraines

Herbal Formulas for Migraines and Other Headaches

Suffering from frequent headaches is miserable and immobilizing. If you haven’t had luck treating and preventing your headaches, skip the over-the-counter approach and prepare herbal formuals for migraines to use in the future! The following is an excerpt from Herbal Formularies for Health Professionals, Volume 4 by Jill Stansbury. It has been adapted for the…

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The Ultimate Good Sweet: Upside Down Apple Pie

Make an irresistible upside down apple pie with this easy recipe. No pie crust skills needed! “Secretly” healthy apple pie for a guilt-free sweet treat.

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Fire Cider: A Healing, Warm Tonic

“It is more important to know what kind of person has a disease than to know what kind of disease a person has.” —Hippocrates Drawing on her decades of clinical experience and her extensive research, Dr. Jill Stansbury offers an unparalleled range of herbal formulas in her five-volume set, Herbal Formularies for Health Professionals. For each…

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protect plants

How to Protect Plants from Winter Elements

Living in a colder climate doesn’t mean you need to give up on more fragile plants. By adequately preparing your less-hardy plants for the winter, you’ll set them up to survive and thrive! The following is an excerpt from Cold-Hardy Fruits and Nuts by Scott Serrano and Allyson Levy. It has been adapted for the web. Protect…

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Sweet Winter Carrots: Growing & Harvesting

Want to keep growing great food during the cold months? Try growing winter carrots in your cold house! These carrots, which Eliot Coleman grows on his farm in the winter, are even sweeter and more flavorful than the more conventionally timed “spring carrots.” The following is an excerpt fromThe Winter Harvest Handbook by Eliot Coleman. It has…

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sourdough

How to Make and Maintain Your Own Sourdough Starter

Sourdough is a simple wild ferment made from nothing but flour and water. You can start a batch today, use it in a few days, and keep it alive and bubbling … well …  forever. If you have the patience, enjoy the flavor of sourdough, and can commit to feeding your quiet new “pet” frequently,…

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reindeer

Who Are The Reindeer Whisperers?

Most people know that the big man in the North Pole has a team of reindeer waiting to deliver presents, but not as many know who is taking care of these animals behind the scenes: the Sámi people of Norway. This is an excerpt from The Reindeer Chronicles by Judith D. Schwartz. It has been…

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desserts

Show-Stealing Desserts for Holiday Celebrations

Holiday dinner dishes and sides get all the attention — but the reality is, dessert is where it’s at. Here are some show-stealing desserts to serve at your next holiday celebration. The following recipes have been adapted for the web. Lost Nation Cider Pie From The Apple Grower Make ahead: The recipe calls for making…

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snow

Is Your Greenhouse Winter-Ready? Dealing with Snow on Your Greenhouse

Want to keep your protected crops heated and healthy all season? Get your greenhouse ready for winter with these snow removal tips! The following is an excerpt from The Greenhouse and Hoophouse Grower’s Handbook by Andrew Mefferd. It has been adapted for the web. (Photographs courtesy of Andrew Mefferd unless otherwise noted.) Dealing with snow…

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Worth Puckering Up For: Simply Delicious Cranberry Muffins & Holiday Bread

Cranberries add a sweet, tart tang to treats. Feature them as the main ingredient or a happy sidekick in these cranberry bread recipes. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch or snack time!

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