As reported in the Windsor Star recently, The Thibert Farm is now taking internet and phone orders and bringing its farm fresh goodness to your front door.
This post is just a reminder that the next delivery is this Saturday, February 20. To order by internet, download and complete February Order Form-1 and email back to Richard. Or telephone the Thibert Farm at 519-682-0204.
This winter Richard has introduced Irish Oatmeal Bread and “Inspiration Loaf” (with raisins and many nuts and seeds) to his line of bakery and meat products.
Buy Local, Buy Local Buy Fresh, Essex, Essex County, Thibert Farm, angus beef, delivery, eating local, flour
Here’s some more locavore news for our region:
- If you went to the Downtown Windsor Farmers’ Market (DWFM) last year then you may have seen chef Rino from Black Kettle Bistro picking up some ingredients for his soups and specialty dishes that he makes from scratch; look for even more local food to be included in these great dishes soon…
- Steve Green and I are heading to Kitchener for the “Bring Food Home” conference at the beginning of March; I’m attending to get more information for the DWFM and to get as much information as possible to increase my knowledge/background in agritourism; Steve is part of the Homeless Coalition, runs WECSA and is spearheading the push for urban chickens so almost every workshop is going to apply to him!
- Amherstburg is hoping to have a farmers’ market this summer; read the review on Windsorite.ca (the city’s latest news blog!) and follow some of the links to learn more
- The March 1st deadline for Sanson Estate Winery’s recipe contest is quickly approaching; get full details here
I hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day! We celebrated on Saturday at Penalty Box (Smoke n Spice was packed)…hope you supported your favourite independent restaurant too!
Downtown Windsor Farmers Market, Sanson Estate Winery, WECSA
What is Windsor’s oldest continuously operating restaurant? Local historian Andrew Foot and myself discussed this. Familiar names like Tunnel BBQ, The Canusa, and United Grill came up. But it would surprise most people to learn that this honour goes to a small ethnic restaurant in the middle of a residential block in the city’s core. Located at 1148 Marion, one half block north of Giles, the simply named “Ukrainian Restaurant” has been in business since 1931. Yet most residents don’t even know this secret treasure exists. Its current owner and chef, Anna, has been there for the last 42 years. Anyone who is familiar with Windsor history knows this district has a strong Ukrainian presence dating back to the early 1900s. So no huge surprise with the location.
Some facade improvements and modernizations over the years make the building look quite a bit newer from the road than it really is. But once you are inside the high cove ceilings, deco light fixtures, and vintage diner seating are giveaways that many a meal has been served under this roof over the past 79 years. A newer fridge stands against a back wall. If you want something to drink – open it and help yourself, there is pop and iced tea. In place of printed menus your dinner choices are written on a chalkboard next to the window your food is served through. I’m guessing it doesn’t change much. All the Ukrainian favorites are absolutely outstanding – perogies, cabbage rolls, borscht, and the familiar standbys as well like roast chicken and potatoes. Today Anna had some roast pork so everyone got a slice on their plate as a bonus in addition to whatever we ordered. I must stress that this is not the type of restaurant where meals are prepped or reheated. This is old world home cooked. The real deal. You just tell Anna what you want to eat – and she cooks it for you.
Dinner prices range from $8 – $13 depending on what you want to eat – and how much. Soft drinks are $1. Ice tea is $2. Coffee and home baked dessert is offered at fair prices, with most of us enjoying Apple Strudel. In keeping with the Ukrainian Restaurant’s simplicity and old-fashioned style, there is no computer generated bill or electronic payment options. After you are finished dinner you just visit Anna at the window and she figures out your total in her head and accepts cash payment. If you are looking for something new to try, we strongly recommend giving downtown Windsor’s “best kept secret” a try. It is open 7 days a week but the owner recommends calling first at 253-3981 to make sure. Anna told me there are patrons in their community who have been coming there for decades. Now it’s your turn. You won’t be disappointed.
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Cherry season is quite short in our region but you can enjoy cherries year round with this product from Vinegar Hill / Delhaven Orchards. The cherries are grown in Blenheim (southeast of Chatham) and are processed at Delhaven’s site. The fruit is pitted and packed into pails and is available fresh for a short time; the rest of the pails are frozen so you can enjoy them year round! Pick up your pail of sweet or sour cherries and get ready to make wonderful pies and jams or top your ice cream with this tender fruit.
$17 will get you a pail that has 10 pounds of cherries preserved in 1 pound of sugar. Delhaven also packs cherries For diabetics (currently sold out) with 11 pounds of fruit that has been sprayed with ascorbic acid:
Ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, is the most effective agent in preventing darkening of fruit. Not only does it preserve natural color and flavor of fruits, but it adds nutritive value as well.
Cherries have fallen into favour recently for the spotlight that has been put on their disease-fighting antioxidants. Hector of Delhaven says that this is an agricultural highlight for the region and that the increased interest in cherries has been a “good thing”.
Did you know… this “Antioxidant Super Fruit” is packed with beta carotene (19 times more than blueberries or strawberries) vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron, fiber and folate.
Right after cherry season starts (mid-July to the beginning of August), you can get Delhaven’s cherries at selected Zehrs/Real Canadian Superstore. Year-round you can get the pails of pitted cherries at Schinkel’s in Essex or go directly to Delhaven (they’ve got loads of other local food in their store too!).
Delhaven Orchards
8182 Talbot Trail, Blenheim
(519) 676-4475
http://www.delhaven.com/
Winter Hours: 8 to 5 Monday to Saturday (closed Sunday)
Delhaven Orchards, Vinegar Hill, cherries
Here’s some of the latest on the food front in Windsor and Essex County:
Check out the calendar for this month’s events!
Being a locavore in Windsor & Essex County keeps getting easier.
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