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Fresh From the Farm: Great Local Foods from New York State

You are here: Home / Mind / book review / Fresh From the Farm: Great Local Foods from New York State
April 30, 2010 by Wendy Hammond

freshfromthefarmI remember the first time I drove through New York. I was a sophomore in high school, headed out to a youth convention in Rhode Island. I remember seeing the rolling hills and farmland and thinking, “This is New York?”

I have since learned that New York is home to a lot of beautiful farmland, and my sister lives with her family at Word of Life Bible Camp near Schroon Lake. I haven’t made it out there to visit yet (she comes “home” quite regularly), but when I do I am definitely taking this book along!

Fresh from the Farm: Great Local Foods from New York State has a sub-subtitle that is worth paying attention to: A guide to the best shops and farms, with recipes. The emphasis is definitely on the shops and farms, and the recipes are almost an afterthought.

The publisher’s description:

With farmstands, markets, vineyards, and signature recipes, this is the ultimate food-lover’s guide to the sumptuous natural bounty available in and around the world’s greatest city. As the interest in local foods and the trend of culinary tourism continue to grow, Fresh from the Farm takes gourmets and hungry travelers on an idyllic tour of the Empire State. Trekking from the apple orchards and dairy farms of the Hudson Valley to the vineyards and oyster bays of Long Island, the authors explore the breadth of New York state’s homegrown and homemade food renaissance. New York’s agrotourism industry is booming. Vacationers flock to the state’s charming inns, picturesque farms, and seaside bed-and-breakfasts to sample local cuisine. Among the many well-known producers and foodie destinations profiled are the renowned Blue Hill at Stone Farms, Blue Moon Fish, Cattle Corn Farm, Berkshire Berrries, and Satur Hill Farms. You’ll learn the secret behind Briermere Farms’ famous fruit pies, how to make pizza using Coach Farms’ goat cheese, and a savory preparation of Long Island duck braised in Wolffer Estate Cabernet Franc wine. With stunning photographs, tantalizing recipes, and helpful practical information about planning getaways to all of these regions, Fresh from the Farm is an essential and inspiring gift for guests and hosts alike.

Likes:

  • Gorgeous photos
  • History and profiles of local farms and business owners
  • Contact info
  • A “tour guide” feel, content is divided by region
  • Intriguing recipes (Lavender Panna Cotta, Lobster Cake, Pumpkin and Cheese Crostini)

Dislikes:

  • Would have liked to see more recipes
  • The tone of the writing is guidebook-like, which doesn’t lend itself to sitting down to devour.

Overall, I give this book a B-. If you live in New York, you’ll want to get a copy. If you don’t, you’ll either be disappointed or inspired to visit.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. Also, if you order Fresh From the Farm: Great Local Foods From New York State by following the link on my website, I will get a few cents from Amazon.com. This in no way influenced my opinion of this cookbook.

Win a Copy

To enter, simply leave a comment below saying why you’d like to win.

For extra entries (you MUST leave a separate comment for each entry):

  • Tweet this contest, and comment letting me know that you did
  • Subscribe to The Local Cook on email or RSS, and comment letting me know that you did (see that button way at the top of my site on the right, just above the FoodBuzz badge?) If you already subscribe, leave a comment letting me know that you’re already a subscriber.

Be sure to include your email in the comment box so I can contact you if you win! And if you don’t win, you can purchase your own copy at Amazon.com using the link above.

Note: Drawing will close at midnight on Friday May 7 EST.

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Category: book reviewTag: book review, cookbook, local food, locavore

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Blair

    April 30, 2010 at 2:05 pm

    I used to live in upstate NY and would love to see what the book has for that region!

  2. L. Hernandez

    April 30, 2010 at 8:01 pm

    I’m a native New Yorker, and it’s taken me 30-plus years to appreciate New York agricultural products, but I’m trying to make up for it, and the book would be a big help.

  3. debp

    May 1, 2010 at 9:02 am

    I would love this book. I collect cookbooks,and it would be great to add to my collection.
    debp
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

  4. ToyLady

    May 1, 2010 at 9:10 am

    Hello! I followed your link from the Marx Foods blog and saw this post, so I had to chime in!

    I’m in upstate NY (and have driven through Schroon Lake on the way to Vermont) – I’d love a copy of a book like this to help get us outside our immediate comfort zone, yet stay close to local.

  5. Carol

    May 1, 2010 at 10:29 am

    I’d like to win because I live in NJ, have family in NY, and LOVE to read cookbooks, I devour them like novels, and like trying recipes.

  6. Carol

    May 1, 2010 at 10:29 am

    tweeted http://twitter.com/cdziuba/status/13190783606

  7. Carol

    May 1, 2010 at 10:30 am

    subscriber in reader cdziuba@aol.com

  8. Megan

    May 1, 2010 at 11:12 am

    I’d like to win this as a gift for my sister-in-law.

    mearley1979 at gmail dot com

  9. Amber G

    May 1, 2010 at 11:44 am

    I would love to win because I am interning in NYC this summer and would love to learn more about the fresh local foods so I know what to buy!

  10. Katie K

    May 1, 2010 at 1:13 pm

    I’m a Michigan native transplanted to the Finger Lakes in NY. I’d love this book!

  11. janeh

    May 1, 2010 at 1:45 pm

    I collect cookbooks, and this one sounds like it has many marvelous dishes made from fresh ingredients.

  12. Liz

    May 1, 2010 at 2:01 pm

    I love cookbooks> this one looks great!

  13. alycep

    May 1, 2010 at 2:59 pm

    I love to cook and eat both organic and locally and frequent several local farmers markets. This will help me utilize the produce better and edicate me as well on the products.

  14. joann downie

    May 1, 2010 at 3:37 pm

    I would like to win because I collect cookbooks and recipes!!

  15. Ellie

    May 1, 2010 at 4:18 pm

    I’d love to win this book because we have family who live in different parts of NYS, all of whom are foodies and cooks!
    thorandellie[att]gmail[dott]com

  16. Ellie

    May 1, 2010 at 4:21 pm

    I subscribed to The Local Cook on email.
    thorandellie[att]gmail[dott]com

  17. Carol Harrity

    May 1, 2010 at 9:24 pm

    I am always on the alert for new recipes and regional cooking. I would really like to win this cookbook.

  18. shannon Baas

    May 1, 2010 at 9:34 pm

    I’m always looking for new recipes.

  19. Jess L.

    May 2, 2010 at 12:55 am

    I would love to learn more about fresh foods.

  20. Christine

    May 2, 2010 at 7:34 pm

    I’m a NYer, local is my passion

  21. Kimberly

    May 2, 2010 at 10:03 pm

    I want to win

  22. Trudy

    May 3, 2010 at 11:08 am

    I enjoy making homemade dinners; it would be fun to see what recipes this book has:)

  23. Jenna

    May 3, 2010 at 3:05 pm

    I would LOVE the chance to win this wonderful cookbook!!

    jmedina@masters.edu

  24. Margaret

    May 3, 2010 at 9:40 pm

    We have spent the last 4 years enjoying the bounty of New York state as my daughter attended college on the Finger Lakes region. Our visits will be fewer as she is graduating in just a week! would love to win as a nice memory of our time there! Especially love those salt potatoes!

  25. Chrystal

    May 4, 2010 at 12:53 pm

    I’d love to win because I love to try new recipes and this book looks great!

  26. Benita

    May 5, 2010 at 2:11 am

    We make it our business to eat the best we can, farmers markets, CSA, fresh food. We live in NY and well we’d love to read this book.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

  27. Benita

    May 5, 2010 at 2:26 am

    I subscribed to the Local Cook via email.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

  28. Jason

    May 6, 2010 at 12:50 pm

    I love learning about local foods and local products. It could come in handy when i visit that area

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

  29. Jason

    May 6, 2010 at 12:52 pm

    Tweeted

    http://twitter.com/parkerozgood/status/13497185830

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

  30. Jason

    May 6, 2010 at 12:54 pm

    subscriber

    jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

  31. Sheila Calabretta

    May 6, 2010 at 1:18 pm

    I’d like copy because we have a farm and I’m sure there are tons of things written about that could teach me how to grow my veggies better. Thanks for this opportunity!

  32. Ed Nemmers

    May 6, 2010 at 6:21 pm

    For my buddy, who loves cookbooks with photos!

  33. Angela Garland

    May 6, 2010 at 9:41 pm

    I would like to win because I collect cookbooks. This one looks great!

  34. Shannon

    May 7, 2010 at 12:23 pm

    LOVE eating local. And while I am in Maine, not NY, I frequesnt my local Farmers Markets twice a week and support my local farmers and craftsmen. Love to cook too!
    🙂
    Shannon
    http://www.cascobaysoap.blogspot.com

  35. Rebecca

    May 7, 2010 at 8:45 pm

    I live in NY and I love any book with recipes

  36. susan smoaks

    May 7, 2010 at 10:21 pm

    i would love to win because i love to cook!

  37. Veronica Garrett

    May 7, 2010 at 11:02 pm

    I would like to win because i want to learn more about New York and the great foods found there. I lived in Brooklyn for nine years but didn’t explore the rest of New York.

  38. Lily Kwan

    May 8, 2010 at 12:59 am

    I would like to win because this book sounds very interesting!

  39. Lily Kwan

    May 8, 2010 at 1:00 am

    I subscribed by email.

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