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“It’s about coming home to our own economies.”
— Barbara Kingsolver, novelist and author of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life, speaking at the 30th Annual Prairie Festival at the Land Institute near Salina, Kan. (CLICK HERE) |
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| Season’s dreamings
It's time to look forward to plump home-raised traditional Thanksgiving turkeys from Colorado’s Jay and Cindy Wisdom. Also, plan now for hams and sausages from heritage breeds of pork, as well as melt-in-your-mouth Callicrate Beef steaks and roasts.
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| Hog Heaven?
Russ Kremer raises Berkshires and other rare-breed hogs in the Missouri Ozarks, CLICK HERE. Calling his farm “modern technology in a natural setting,” he raises about 1,100 pigs a year from 65 sows on 160 acres. That’s in contrast to many neighboring swine producers who raise tens of thousands of pigs confined on a mere 5 acres. Kremer and the farmer co-operative he founded has been featured in numerous publications, including most recently the October issue of Gourmet (now on newsstands.) Look for the “Profile” article entitled The French Connection.
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| Everyday Steaks
Don’t forget that the chuck- eye, flat iron, tri-tip roast and the London broil are steak variations that offer flavor and tenderness at a very affordable price. In addition you can’t beat a good slow-cooked natural beef roast! Please ask for recommendations while shopping the store.
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| Ben Franklin has spoken!
Ben Franklin appeared Oct. 2 at the Pikes Peak Center as part of a family-style educational event that mixed entertainment, history and current affairs. Local historian and thespian Christopher Lowell has performed as Ben Franklin all over the world. The event was sponsored by Coalition for a Prosperous America, CLICK HERE.
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| Discussing sustainability
Ranch Foods Direct will help sponsor the Southern Colorado Sustainable Communities Conference on Nov. 20-21 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Ranch Foods Direct owner Mike Callicrate will be a presenter. CLICK HERE for more info on the event.
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Get your goat
Farm fresh goat milk is considered easier to digest than cow’s milk, perfect for infants, the elderly and those suffering from ulcers or other health issues. Ranch Foods Direct is a delivery and pick-up point for fresh goat milk from Bare Bottom Ranch of Calhan. (Call 719-541-4761 or e- mail to look into getting a goat share.) Or CLICK HERE for more info about their operation.
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The Recipe box
Add the crunch of crumbs, CLICK HERE.
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The Biography of Beef
Two new food books of interest, including best-selling food writer Betty Fussell's definitive book on beef, CLICK HERE.
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Last Call
The Colorado Farm and Art Market concludes the season with its last market, Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Margarita at Pine Creek, 7350 Pine Creek Road, 719-593-8667. Enjoy it while you can!
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| October 2008 |
“It is the individual farmer who must weave the greater part of the rug on which America stands. Shall he weave into it only the sober yarns which warm the feet, or also some of the colors which warm the eye and heart? ”
— Conservationist Aldo Leopold, author of The Sand County Almanac
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Art Hop Stop
Summer’s tourist season has drawn to a close in Old Colorado City, but this wonderful neighborhood of independent shops and restaurants is a year-round attraction. And what the area has to offer is amazing. For one thing, proximity to the mountains, which are spectacular in the fall. For another: there are no chain stores in sight!
At First Friday Art Walks, the galleries and small stores that line the pedestrian friendly streets buzz with inviting drinks, snacks and music. Two more are scheduled this fall, on Oct. 3 and Nov. 7.
Old Colorado City is home to several of our favorite restaurants and we can recommend several stops to consider on your next art hop (whether Friday or any day.)
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Cucuru Gallery and Cafe offers an enchanting patio across from Bancroft Park.
Delightful for its cozy spaces, Cucuru’s is a place with character that mixes art, music and food in just the right measure. On one early fall evening, we munched on fresh tapas brightly flavored with a fresh glint of cilantro over a meltingly tender Callicrate Beef tri-tip steak easier to cut than the crusty sourdough. The owner and staff regularly feature Callicrate Beef on their casual appetizer-style menu. They are also famous for what they call “cucuroons” — the traditional blond coconut kiss of a cookie, offering a variation that’s hand-dipped in chocolate. Surrounding it all, the walls of the Victorian-style- cottage-turned-business are plastered with local artwork. (The address is 2332 W. Colorado Ave. and the phone is 719-520- 9900.)
The fun-to-shop Barbecue Mercantile is another Old Colorado City favorite we recommend. For more details on the area’s restaurants, shops and special events, CLICK HERE.
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Extra! Extra!
A diner for a day-trip
With the aspens burnished to gold, there’s never a better time for a drive in the mountains. Mildred’s Diner is a great destination! If you missed it the first time, here’s a great review that appeared in the Gazette. It captures the flavor of this homey spot perfectly. CLICK HERE.
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Did you know?…
According to Care and Share, 96 billion pounds of food go to waste every year.
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Saving back the summer — You can if you can
Rachel Zimmerman hosted a canning class at Ranch Foods Direct last month that elicited an enthusiastic response.
Mike Callicrate, owner of Ranch Foods Direct, reminds everyone that when Hurricane Ike hit the Gulf Coast, grocery stores and gas stations soon ran short on food. “At any one time there is only about 48 hours
worth of food on the shelf at any store,” he says. “Wouldn’t it make sense to have a little more stuff in the pantry at home?”
CLICK HERE for a summary of the highlights from Rachel’s home canning demonstration featuring Colorado peaches preserved in a hot water bath.
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Making the connection with local farmers
Rachel and Martin Zimmerman were new to the area and listening to a favorite Sunday morning radio program when they first heard an ad about Ranch Foods Direct. They were skeptical about whether it was the real deal but thought it was worth checking out. It turned out to be a godsend. CLICK HERE.
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Ah-lah Cart —
Luis is still cookin’
Last year we featured Luis and his wife and their authentic Mexican restaurant, Restaurante La Herradura. Their little storefront of authentic Mexican heaven has since changed hands, but Luis is finding new ways to share his culinary gifts.
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| In addition to working for Ranch Foods Direct in the meat fabrication area, he often sets up his welcoming grill stand in front of the store on Saturdays, cooking his signature breakfast burritos hearty with beef, eggs and diced potatoes. (They are also sold at Colorado Coffee Merchants on Fillmore, the perfect breakfast with a great cup of coffee. CLICK HERE.) Beaming from ear to ear and eagerly offering samples, he’ll also grill up soft tacos, burgers and more. The crowning touch is his delicious fresh- made salsa and homemade pickled peppers! |
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“It will not always be summer: build barns.”
— Early Greek poet Hesiod |
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... Your local source of
natural beef, poultry,
buffalo, pork, lamb, eggs,
wild seafood, deli meats
and cheeses, meals
and more!
Member, Peak to Plains Alliance
(www.peaktoplains.com)
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Store and Meat Plant
2901 N. El Paso, Colorado Springs 80907
Retail Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Sunday
(719) 473-2306 or 1-866-866-6328
www.ranchfoodsdirect.com
Mike Callicrate, Owner
Please note: You can subscribe to the RFD newsletter by sending an email to: info@ranchfoodsdirec t.com or in our stores.
This newsletter is published by: Candace Krebs Writing, Editing, Photography, Design - Candace Krebs is a freelance writer and communications specialist. Contact her at candacejk@aol.com.
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