Last Monday night, I left work on time, walked my quick commute home in some rare early March sunshine and made the lovely, local meal you see above. It was a salmon filet, broiled with dabs of butter (Winter Harvest buying club) across the top. Boiled beets (Winter Harvest), peeled, sliced and dressed with a quick balsamic vinaigrette. And a couple handfuls of local greens and grated carrots (Rittenhouse Square Farmers Market).
Now you may be thinking to yourself, “Huh. Last I heard, Marisa, you lived in Philadelphia. I didn’t know you could get local salmon there. Particularly this time of year.” Some of you may even have a doubting eyebrow raised in my direction.
Thing is, you skeptical people would be right. However, I included this salmon in my Dark Days meal because it was fished, packaged and sold by Otolith Sustainable Seafood. They are a small organization that works to get sustainably harvested fish into the hands of the people. Last summer, I bought a share in their CSS for $180 and over the course of three months, got fifteen pounds of salmon. It came frozen and neatly packaged in vacuum-sealed, freezer safe plastic pouches. Our final pick-up was in October and we’ve been happily eating our way through the salmon ever since (I think I’m down to my final four pounds, though). It’s the only way I buy fish anymore.
I believe one of the intentions of the Dark Days Challenge is to get us thinking about our food in a new way and to always consider the source when buying groceries. The food on that plate was carefully considered, thoughtfully purchased, joyfully prepared and appreciatively consumed. By my accounting, I am good.
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You are fully justified and completely correct. Salute.
You are good. That meal looks delicious. I love your blog. Growing your own food and eating local is the way to good health, I’m convinced.
CSA for fish! Oh, I’m so jealous. I wonder if there is something like that around here. Too bad they don’t ship! We started with a local vegetable CSA this summer. That way we will have alittle variety and not feel like we have so much food for canning all the time. Nothing wrong with a bushel of green beans in the kitchen to can, but after the third bushel it gets overwelming!
Enjoy your fish!
Wow! A CSA for fish. I’m certain something like that doesn’t exist here where I live, but if it did I would be part of it. I love the beets and balsamic – yum!
This is exactly the sort of eating that the Dark Days Challenge is all about, if you ask me. Achieving true consciousness about what we’re eating, where it comes from, and how the practices contribute to the health of our planet — that’s the Big Stuff.
I noticed you’re now on Facebook! Congrats!
Thanks for all the support! I’m glad to hear that you all think I’m on the right track with my Dark Days meal, even if the salmon isn’t exactly local.
And lo, you’re right, I’m on Facebook (it just seemed like time). I’m planning to do a post about it later in the week, to let everyone know.
Hiya! I noticed you linked to my blog! Thank you! I’m a frequent reader of yours. I shall link posthaste. Best, Jessie K
It looks VERY tasty…and healthy…and pretty!
[...] (Food in Jars) paired a beautiful salmon filet – from her sustainable fish share – with boiled beets dressed in [...]
[...] another great article from the “Food in Jars” blog. I make beets each summer and I am going to save some out to try this recipe next year. Last [...]