Lots of fun things this weekend but a few caught my eye in particular. In the upper part of the county, stop on by the Firehouse Breakfast in Riegelsville on Sunday. This is a monthly breakfast that has been going on for over twenty years. They know what they’re doing. Almost a full breakfast menu, including pancakes, eggs (any way you want them), breakfast meats, coffee, juice and more. See our previous post for more details, Serving up breakfast in Riegelsville.

Or on Saturday, consider a drive to the Holland Township Farmers’ Market, the newest market in the bi-state area, just across the river in Milford, New Jersey. This Saturday, August 20 will be their last market for the season. Looking forward to seeing you next year too!

The first apples of the season have started to appear! Manoff Market Gardens in Solebury now has Ginger Gold. Solebury Orchards, also in Solebury, reports their first apples are available, as does The Market at Del Val by Shady Brook. See Solebury Orchards’ Apple chart to find out when your favorite apple variety will be available. Crunch!

To market, to market. What can you expect to find at local farmers’ markets this week? For produce: Apples, beans, beets, blackberries, blueberries (last of the season!), cabbage (green and purple), cantaloupe, carrots, celery, Swiss chard, collards, sweet corn, cucumbers (salad and pickle), edamame beans, eggplant, fennel, field peas, fresh cut herbs, garlic, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, okra, onions (purple and fresh), peaches, pears, peppers (hot and sweet), potatoes, radishes, raspberries, scallions, summer squash, tomatoes (all kinds), watermelon and zucchini. In addition, many markets have locally raised meats, cheese, baked goods and bread, local honey and prepared foods, as well as preserves and local artisanal goods like wool, soap and ceramics. Support your local farms especially this time of year when produce is gorgeous and well-priced. Get your nutrition local!

Save the date! oWowCow Creamery will be hosting a fundraiser for the Bucks County Foodshed Alliance at its new Wrightstown location on Wednesday, August 31st from 6 pm to 9 pm. All you’ve got to do is show up and buy some delicious ice cream. Easy, huh? John Fezzuoglio, owner and ice cream maker extraordinaire, will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Foodshed Alliance. The store is in Carousel Village at 591 Durham Road (Route 413) in Wrightstown, just a few miles north of Newtown. See you there!

For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Have a lovely weekend. Follow Bucks County Taste also on Facebook and Twitter.

Friday, August 19:

• 63rd Annual Middletown Grange Fair, Wrightstown [10 am - 11 pm]
• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [1-7 pm]
• Summer BBQ @ Lumberville General Store, Lumberville [3 - 7 pm]
• Ottsville Farmers’ Market, Linden Hill Gardens, Ottsville [4-8 pm]
• Beer Tasting, Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [4-6 pm]
• Friday Wine & Music @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington, NJ [5-8 pm]
• Lobster Bake at the Vineyard @ Unionville Vineyards, Ringoes, NJ [6 - 9 pm]
• Wine Concert Series @ The Market at DelVal, Doylestown [6 - 9 pm]
• Wine Concert Series @ Shady Brook Farm, Yardley [6 - 9 pm]
• Friday Night Fireworks Express – New Hope/Ivyland Train, New Hope [6:15 - 10:30 pm]
• Wine Tasting for Singles @ Crossing Vineyards, Washington Crossing [7 - 9 pm]
• Summer Wine & Music Series @ Crossing Vineyards, Washington Crossing [7 - 10 pm]
• Belgian-Style Brews with Beer Blogger Giuseppe Fusco @ Stockton Inn, Stockton, NJ [7:30 - 10:30 pm]
• Summer Fireworks in New Hope/Lambertville – New Hope, PA & Lambertville, NJ [9:30 – 10:30 pm]

Saturday, August 20:

• Doylestown Farmers’ Market, Doylestown [7 am-12 pm]
• Perkasie Farmers’ Market, Perkasie [8 am - 12 pm]
• Plumsteadville Grange Farm Market, Plumsteadville [9 am - 12 pm]
• Wrightstown Farmers’ Market, Wrightstown [9 am-1 pm]
• Holland Township Farmers’ Market, Milford, NJ [9 am - 1 pm]
• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [9 am-4 pm]
• 63rd Annual Middletown Grange Fair, Wrightstown [10 am - 11 pm]
• Wine Tasting @ Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [12-6 pm]
• Beer Tasting @ New Hope Beverage, New Hope [3-7 pm]
• Grapevine Express Wine & Cheese Pairing @ New Hope/Ivyland Train, New Hope [5 - 7 pm]
• Saturday Wine & Music @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington [5-8 pm]
• Evening Star Dinner Train @ New Hope/Ivyland Train, New Hope [7 - 9 pm]

Sunday, August 21:

• Breakfast @ Riegelsville Fire Company, Riegelsville [8 am - 12:30 pm]
• Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market, Hellertown [9 am - 1 pm]
• Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market, Flemington, NJ [9 am-1 pm]
• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [10 am-4 pm]
• 63rd Annual Middletown Grange Fair, Wrightstown [10 am - 5 pm]
• Sunday Brunch Train @ New Hope & Ivyland Railroad, New Hope [10:15 - 11:30 am]
• A Dummies Guide to Wine Tasting @ Crossing Vineyards, Washington Crossing [2 - 4 pm]
• Music @ Villa Milagro Vineyards, Finesville, NJ [2 - 5 pm]
• Grapevine Express Wine & Cheese Pairing @ New Hope/Ivyland Train, New Hope [5 - 7 pm]
• Earth Center Coffee House, Tyler State Park , Richboro [6 - 9 pm]

Monday, August 22:

• Mediterranean Style @ Carlow Cookery, Doylestown [7 - 9 pm]
• Soupcon Salon by Kindle Cafe @ Manon, Lambertville, NJ [7 - 9:15 pm]

Tuesday, August 23:

• Langhorne Farmers’ Market, Langhorne [3:30 - 6:30 pm]

Wednesday, August 24:

• Pierogy Wednesdays @ St. Anne Ukrainian, Warrington [9 am - 12 pm]
• The Farmers’ Market @ Playwicki Farm, Feasterville [4 - 7 pm]
• Global Dinner @ The Cafe at Rosemont, Rosemont, NJ [5 - 8 pm]
• Complimentary Beer Tasting @ the Copper Leaf Grill, Buckingham [5 - 9 pm]
• Chef Eben Copple’s Grilling Demo @ Yardley Inn, Yardley [7 - 9 pm]
• Flavors of Northern Italy @ Carlow Cookery, Doylestown [7 - 9 pm]

Thursday, August 25:

• New Hope Farmers’ Market, New Hope [2:30-6:30 pm]
• Uncle Dave’s 94 cents Ice Cream Cones @ Shady Brook Farm, Yardley [3 - 9 pm]
• Lower Makefield Farmers’ Market, Lower Makefield [3:30 - 6:30 pm]
• Clam Bake @ Logan Inn, New Hope [5 - 9 pm]
• Sushi Night in the Wine Cellar – The Inn at Lambertville Station, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 10 pm]

For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Follow Bucks County Taste on Facebook and Twitter.

Related posts:

1. The holidays come to Bucks County
2. Labor Day in Bucks County
3. Last Farm Tour and Potluck at Manoff Market Gardens

It’s the weather that’s doing it to me, of course. Delightful weather any time of the year, but in mid-July? Who-weee! The weekend looks lovely, with the humidity holding off until Monday.

A wine staycation? Yep, look over the calendar below and notice all the regular events taking place at area wineries on both sides of the river. Sitting outside in such weather as this, with a glass of chilled wine in hand, soothes the soul. And you don’t even have to drive or fly someplace far away.

National Ice Cream Day. Who knew? Yes, this Sunday is National Ice Cream Day (the 3rd Sunday in July) and what better way to celebrate than visiting your local ice cream shop. See our previous post for a listing of ice cream places all over Bucks. We’ll be celebrating at the newest location of oWowCow Creamery which just opened last week in Wrightstown, just minutes from our home. Read all about it here.

To market, to market. Lots of berries are still out there to be had: blueberries, raspberries, black raspberries and blackberries. Peaches, of course, have arrived in earnest. Manoff Market Gardens says they should be picking their first white peaches this week. Get ‘em while they’re here. And fresh, local sweet corn is popping up everywhere. Look also for the first of the season’s sweet peppers, eggplant, field grown tomatoes, okra, and cabbages. Fresh picked cucumbers, green beans, zucchini, lettuces and summer squash will be in abundance. You are likely to also find fennel, carrots, red beets, celery, scallions, Swiss chard, dandelion greens and radishes. Many markets also offer a wide selection of mushrooms, 100% grass-fed beef, pasture raised poultry, pork, eggs, goat cheeses, yogurt and butter, breads, baked goods, raw honey, beeswax candles, maple syrup, and prepared foods plus handmade soaps and and other artisanal goods. (Thanks to Robin Hoy of the Wrightstown Farmers’ Market for her help with this list.)

For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County. Have a dee-lightful weekend. Follow Bucks County Taste also on Facebook and Twitter.

Friday, July 15:

• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [1-7 pm]
• Ottsville Farmers’ Market, Linden Hill Gardens, Ottsville [4-8 pm]
• Beer Tasting, Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [4-6 pm]
• Friday Wine & Music @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington, NJ [5-8 pm]
• Wine Concert Series @ The Market at DelVal, Doylestown [6 - 9 pm]
• Wine Concert Series @ Shady Brook Farm, Yardley [6 - 9 pm]
• Friday Night Fireworks Express – New Hope/Ivyland Train, New Hope [6:15 - 10:30 pm]
• Summer Wine & Music Series @ Crossing Vineyards & Winery, Washington Crossing [7 - 10 pm]
• Born This Way Charity Dance (fundraiser) @ The Raven, New Hope [9 pm - 1 am]
• Summer Fireworks in New Hope/Lambertville – New Hope, PA & Lambertville, NJ [9:30 – 10:30 pm]

Saturday, July 16:

• Doylestown Farmers’ Market, Doylestown [7 am-12 pm]
• Perkasie Farmers’ Market, Perkasie [8 am - 12 pm]
• Plumsteadville Grange Farm Market, Plumsteadville [9 am - 12 pm]
• Wrightstown Farmers’ Market, Wrightstown [9 am-1 pm]
• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [9 am-4 pm]
• Wine Tasting @ Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [12-6 pm]
• Music Fest @ The Stockton Inn, Stockton, NJ [12 - 9 pm]
• Beer Tasting @ New Hope Beverage, New Hope [3-7 pm]
• Saturday Wine & Music @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington [5-8 pm]
• Eat, Bark, Bid – Fundraiser for Lulu’s Rescue @ Rago Arts & Auction Center, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 10 pm]

Sunday, July 17:

• National Ice Cream Day
• Breakfast @ Riegelsville Fire Company, Riegelsville [8 am - 12:30 pm]
• Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market, Flemington, NJ [9 am-1 pm]
• Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market, Hellertown [9 am - 1 pm]
• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [10 am-4 pm]
• Sangria Sundays @ Chaddsford Winery, Lahaska [11 am - 6 pm]
• StringFever @ New Hope Winery , New Hope [4 - 6 pm]
• Earth Center Coffee House, Tyler State Park, Richboro [6 - 9 pm]

Monday, July 18:

• Soupcon Salon by Kindle Cafe @ Manon, Lambertville, NJ [7 - 9:15 pm]

Tuesday, July 19:

• Langhorne Farmers’ Market, Langhorne [3:30 - 6:30 pm]

Wednesday, July 20:

• Pierogy Wednesdays @ St. Anne Ukrainian, Warrington [9 am - 12 pm]
• The Farmers’ Market @ Playwicki Farm, Feasterville [4 - 7 pm]
• Global Dinner @ The Cafe at Rosemont, Rosemont, NJ [5 - 8 pm]
• Complimentary Beer Tasting @ the Copper Leaf Grill, Buckingham [5 - 9 pm]

Thursday, July 21:

• New Hope Farmers’ Market, New Hope [2:30-6:30 pm]
• Uncle Dave’s 94 cents Ice Cream Cones @ Shady Brook Farm, Yardley [3 - 9 pm]
• Lower Makefield Farmers’ Market, Lower Makefield [3:30 - 6:30 pm]
• Clam Bake @ Logan Inn, New Hope [5 - 9 pm]
• Sushi Night in the Wine Cellar – The Inn at Lambertville Station, Lambertville, NJ [6 - 10 pm]
• Beer & Wine Barbeque Dinner @ Yardley Inn, Yardley [7 - 9 pm]

For more details on any of these events, please go to our full calendar, Food Events in Bucks County.

Follow Bucks County Taste on Facebook and Twitter.

Related posts:

1. Peachy-Keen Weekend
2. Bucks County is berry, berry good
3. Last Farm Tour and Potluck at Manoff Market Gardens

This Sunday, September 12th, the Bucks County Symphony hosts A Symphony of Flavors, their third annual wine and food pairing event, at the beautiful Prallsville Mills in Stockton, NJ. A specially selected group of “boutique wines” will be matched with dishes created by some of the best local chefs. Marnie Old, Philadelphia based wine author, educator, and sommelier, will provide expert commentary at the Patron Party, and will discuss current trends in wine at the main tasting event.

Participating restaurants include Café at Rosemont in Rosemont, NJ, The Waterwheel Restaurant in Doylestown, PA, Jake’s Restaurant in Flemington, NJ, Jack’s Roadhouse in Lahaska, PA, Erini Restaurant in Ewing, NJ, Maize Restaurant in Perkasie, PA, Vine & Fig Tree Bistro in Doylestown, PA and Cal’s Comfort Café, Milford, NJ. Bucks County Biscotti in Perkasie and The Coffee Scoop in Pipersville will provide dessert and coffee. The event wine sponsor is Central Liquors in Flemington, NJ. Proceeds from the event benefit the Bucks County Symphony. The evening begins at 3:30 pm with an afternoon limited admission Patron Party followed by the main Wine and Food Pairing Event, starting at 5:00 P.M. Tickets are $75 per person for the main event. For more information, please see their website.

Next weekend on Sunday, September 19th you’ve got a hard choice. There are TWO farm to table dinners in Bucks County and one in Hunterdon, all with great food and chefs. Zone 7, the local food distributor, is partnering with Manoff Market Gardens in Solebury to host a delicious dinner from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. Mark Miller and his team from Hamilton’s Grill Room will showcase the best offerings of the farm, with a strong emphasis on Manoff ’s fruits and vegetables, in a special four-course meal with complimentary wines specifically chosen to accompany each course from Crossing Vineyards & Winery in Washington Crossing, PA. The Dinners On The Farm series, which combines behind-the-scenes farm tours with fresh and seasonal meals prepared by luminary local chefs, will host the final dinner in this year’s series in October at Blooming Glen Farm in Perkasie, PA with Chef Vincent Peterson of Kindle Café in Lambertville, NJ. Tickets are $135 per person. For more information or to register, visit www.freshfromzone7.com.

Next choice? Equally tempting. How about a farm to table dinner at None Such Farms, featuring their famous farm-raised beef and farm-grown produce, all prepared by Chef Max Hansen? Al Fresco on the Farm will take place on Sunday, September 19, from 5 pm to 9:30 pm. Check out the wonderful menu online. Tickets are $125 per person, and proceeds will benefit the Food Pantry of Fisherman’s Mark in Lambertville and the Doylestown Food Pantry. To purchase tickets, stop in at None Such Farm Market or call them at 215.794.5201, ext. 2.

Finally, also next Sunday, the Acme Screening Room, which shows interesting and fun movies in Lambertville year around, is hosting a farm to table dinner and vacation auction at the Chimney Hill Estate in Lambertville. Dinner will be prepared by Chef Chris Georgett using seasonal ingredients donated by local farms, and will include entrée (meat & vegetarian option) and desert provided by The Chocolate Box (it’s also BYOB). The event takes place from 4 pm to 7:30 pm. The highlight will be the auction including vacation packages in Lake Tahoe, Myrtle Beach. Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at door You can buy tickets at this website.

And that’s just September. I didn’t mention the great event occurring at Linden Hill Gardens in Ottsville on September 25th because, well, it’s sold out. I didn’t want you to feel bad. Chef, architect, and local restaurant icon Jim Hamilton, of Hamilton’s Grill Room, has been working with Kristen Perry, of The Kitchen Potager at Linden Hill Gardens, to build an outdoor, earthen oven. On that Saturday he’ll be conducting one of his famous “Cooking Class Dinners.” One person arrives at 2:30 pm for the class and dinner preparation, the other person comes at 6:30 pm as the guest for dinner in the lovely barn at Linden Hill. When I chatted with Jim at the Pineville Tavern last month, he was really excited. He loves doing the classes, especially with the outdoor oven. Hopefully Kristen will schedule another similar event next year. Keep an eye on her website or email her at kristin@lindenhillgardens.com for more information about future events, including another ”class-dinner” in October. 

If I’ve left any events out that you know of, please let me know. Just email us at info@buckscountytaste.com.

Related posts:

1. Farm-to-Table…to mouth
2. Getting local food on the local table
3. Bucks Food Calendar: July 1, 2011

A big heads-up – the 62nd Annual Middletown Grange Fair starts on Wednesday, August 18th and goes through Sunday, August 22nd. It’s kind of our local county fair, and if you’ve never been, go. The food is…so-so, but the chicken dinner is a great deal (see last year’s post).

Ah, but this weekend. A little cooler, maybe some rain (okay by me). And so much going on. Where do I start? How about with wine…?

Check out the many events at local wineries every weekend. Every Friday evening, enjoy Friday Night un(Wine)d Concerts at The Market by Shady Brook at Del Val College (6 – 9 pm) or the companion event at Shady Brook Farm’s location in Yardley, also music and also 6 – 9 pm. Wine Tasting for Singles happens at Crossing Vineyards this Friday evening, as does their popular Summer Music Series, where you can picnic, sip wine and enjoy great music. For details see our full Food Events in Bucks County calendar.

On Saturday, be part of history (hopefully) at The Great Pennsylvania Wine Toast also at Crossing Vineyards. Thousands of people in more than 50 wineries across Pennsylvania will join the toastmaster, racing legend Mario Andretti, in an attempt to set a world record for the largest wine tasting ever conducted. The current record of 17,429 participants was set by more than 400 pubs across the U.K. in 2009. Entry tickets are $5.00 and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Fund to Benefit Children & Youth. The event begins at 3:30, with the toast taking place at 4:00 pm under the watchful eyes of folks from the Guinness Book of World Records. There’ll be music and wine for the toast, including a commemorative glass for you to keep.

Every weekend, Phillips’ Fine Wines in Stockton holds beer tastings on Friday afternoons and wine tastings on Saturday afternoons (go to the Stockton Market first, then go get a sip or two!). Or ride the Grapevine Express Wine & Cheese Pairing on the historic New Hope-Ivyland Railroad on Saturday or Sunday this weekend (5 – 7 pm). Listen to Dixie Land music by the vines, too, at Unionville Vineyards in Ringoes, NJ, on Saturday afternoon from 1 – 4 pm.

Sunday also brings two more wine events. Music Under the Arbor takes place at Alba Vineyards in Milford, NJ in the afternoon (lunch at Lovin’ Oven in Frenchtown, then up to the vineyard?). Or maybe you need to learn more about wine first? Take A Dummies Guide to Wine Tasting at Crossing Vineyards Sunday afternoon.

Peaches, peaches, peaches at Manoff Market Gardens in Solebury. Come to Manoff’s for their annual Peach Festival, including hay rides, peach ice cream making and wonderful yellow and white peaches. Yum. 

And although it isn’t strictly about food, check out the 1st Annual Newtown Music Fest on Sunday, August 15th at Shady Brook Farm in Yardley. From noon to 10 p.m., the Newtown Corporation and Cambridge Sound Studios of Newtown will present a dozen bands along with food and beverages from Newtown restaurants, including the Temperance House, Joey G’s and the Green Parrot. Several Bucks County wineries will also be there selling wine by the glass and by the bottle.

As for farm markets and what is available this week, well, just about anything you can imagine. It’s August! All of the markets are listed below. Go check out a new one, and see what you find. Let me know where your favorite vendors are, and why.

For calendar details, read more here…

For more details on any of these events, check our Food Events in Bucks County calendar. Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter too for more frequent updates. Have a safe and savory weekend.

Friday, August 13th:
Forecast – Scattered thunderstorms, 79°

• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [11 am - 7 pm]
• Goschenhoppen Folk Festival, Perkiomenville [12 - 8 pm]
• Warrington Farmers’ Market @ Valley Square, Warrington [3 - 6 pm]
• Ottsville Farmers’ Market @ Linden Hill Gardens, Ottsville [3 - 7 pm]
• Beer Tasting @ Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [4 - 8 pm]
• Friday Happy Hour @ Hopewell Valley Vineyards, Pennington, NJ [5 - 8 pm]
• Spaghetti Dinner @ Delaware Valley Fire Co., Erwinna [5:30 - 7:30 pm]
• Friday Night un(Wine)d Concerts, Doylestown [6 - 9 pm]
• Summer Wine Concert Series @ Shady Brook Farm, Yardley [6 - 9 pm]
• Wine Tasting for Singles @ Crossing Vineyards and Winery, Washington Crossing [7 - 9 pm]
• Summer Music Series @ Crossing Vineyards and Winery, Washington Crossing [7 - 10 pm]
• Barbara Trent @ The Centre Bridge Inn, New Hope [7 - 11 pm]
• Bob Egan @ Bowman’s Tavern, New Hope [8 pm-12 am]

Saturday, August 14th:
Forecast – Sunny, 83°

• Doylestown Farmers’ Market, Doylestown [7 am - 12 pm]
• Perkasie Farmers’ Market, Perkasie [8 am - 12 pm]
• Indian Valley Farmers’ Market, Telford [8:30 am - 12:30 pm]
• Plumsteadville Grange Farm Market, Plumsteadville [9 am - 12 pm]
• Wrightstown Farmers’ Market, Wrightstown [9 am - 1 pm]
• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [9 am - 3 pm]
• Peach Festival @ Manoff Market Gardens, Solebury [9:30 am - 4:30 pm]
• Goschenhoppen Folk Festival, Perkiomenville [10 - 6 pm]
• Wine Tasting @ Phillips’ Fine Wines, Stockton, NJ [12 - 5 pm]
• Music In The Vineyards @ Unionville Vineyards, Ringoes, NJ [1 - 4 pm]
• Second Saturdays in New Hope [3 - 9 pm]
• Chicken BBQ Dinner @ Bensalem Presbyterian Church, Bensalem [3:30 - 4:30 pm]
• The Great Pennsylvania Wine Toast, Washington Crossing [3:30 - 5:30 pm]
• Grapevine Express Wine & Cheese Pairing, New Hope [5 - 7 pm]
• Supper & Live Jazz by Kindle Cafe, Lambertville [6 - 9 pm]

Sunday, August 15th:
Forecast – Isolated Thunderstorms, 83°

• Breakfast Buffet @ Plumsteadville Fire Co., Plumsteadville [7 am - 12 pm]
• Breakfast @ Riegelsville Fire Company, Riegelsville [8 am - 12:30 pm]
• Yoga+Brunch by Kindle Cafe, Lambertville [9 - 11:30 am]
• Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market, Hellertown [9 am - 1 pm]
• Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market, Flemington, NJ [9 am - 1 pm]
• Stockton Farmers’ Market, Stockton, NJ [10 am - 3 pm]
• Newtown MusicFest, Yardley [12 - 10 pm]
• Open Hearth Cooking Demonstration, Morrisville [1 - 4 pm]
• Music Under the Arbor @ Alba Vineyards, Milford, NJ [1 - 4 pm]
• A Dummies Guide to Wine Tasting @ Crossing Vineyards and Winery, Washington Crossing [2 - 5 pm]
• Grapevine Express Wine & Cheese Pairing, New Hope [5 - 7 pm]

Monday, August 16th:
Forecast – Isolated Thunderstorms, 85°

• 94 Cents Cookie Night @ Chubby’s Dairy Barn, Plumsteadville [6 - 9 pm]
• Sweet Corn and Tantalizing Tomatoes, Doylestown [7 - 9 pm]

Tuesday, August 17th:

• Langhorne Farmers’ Market, Langhorne [3:30 - 6:30 pm]
• Beach Bash, Doylestown [7 - 9 pm]
• Tomato Canning Class, Doylestown [7 - 9:30 pm]

Wednesday, August 18th:

• 62nd Annual Middletown Grange Fair, Wrightstown [10 am - 10 pm]
• American Legion Meals on Wednesdays, Quakertown [11:30 am - 9 pm]
• The Farmers’ Market @ Playwicki Farm, Feasterville [4 - 7 pm]
• Complimentary Beer Tasting @ the Copper Leaf Grill, Buckingham [5 - 9 pm]
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Benefit @ La Stalla, Newtown [6 - 9 pm]
• Tomato Canning Class, Doylestown [7 - 9:30 pm]

Thursday, August 19th:

• 62nd Annual Middletown Grange Fair, Wrightstown [10 am - 10 pm]
• Capital City Market, Trenton, NJ [11 am - 2 pm]
• Healthier Hearts Farmers’ Market, Trenton, NJ [12:30 - 5 pm]
• Hunterdon Land Trust Farmers’ Market, Flemington, NJ [3 - 7 pm]
• Lower Makefield Farmers’ Market, Yardley [3:30 - 6:30 pm]
• New Hope Farmers’ Market, New Hope [3:30 - 7 pm]
• Springtown Farmers’ Market, Springtown [4 - 7 pm]
• 94 Cent Ice Cream Cone Night @ Uncle Dave’s Ice Cream, Yardley [5 - 9 pm]
• Lobster Night @ The Centre Bridge Inn, New Hope [6 - 10 pm]
• Sizzling Summer Grilling – Fish and Seafood, Doylestown [7 - 9 pm]

Related posts:

1. The holidays come to Bucks County
2. Peachy-Keen Weekend
3. September farm-to-table dinners

Check it out. The Bucks County Foodshed Alliance, in lieu of their regular monthly meetings, “meets” at local farms once a month during the summer, hosting a potluck full of great food. We went to our first one last summer at Manoff Market Gardens in Solebury. It was fascinating…and delicious. Everyone brought seasonal, yummy dishes, and we chatted until the sun started to set. Then Amy and Gary Manoff walked us around their farm and we learned how they produce their wonderful fruit – berries, peaches, apples, to name a few – as well as some of the hardships.

This summer’s potluck farm tours start tonight, Wednesday, June 2nd. Even if you can’t make it for the potluck, come later for the tour. The potluck begins at 6:30 pm. Bring your own place settings, beverage and dish to share (8-10 servings). Folding chairs or blankets may come in handy as well, depending on the turnout. The farm tour begins at 7:30 pm.

Here’s the line-up for the summer.

• Wednesday, June 2nd: Gravity Hill Farm, an organic farm in Titusville, NJ (just over the bridge)
• POSTPONED TO JULY 14TH Wednesday, July 7th: Sunnyslope Farm, who raise all natural, hormone- and antibiotic-free beef and chicken products, on Lurgan Road in New Hope, PA
• Wednesday, August 4th: Milk House Farm Market, a family farm selling produce and cage-free eggs, on Woodhill Road in Newtown, PA 
• Wednesday, September 1st: WoodsEdge Wools Farm in Stockton, NJ, a farm that breeds llamas and alpacas.

Mark your calendars for these fun, fascinating, feel-good farm visits!

UPDATED July 6, 2010

 Look for Bucks County Taste on Facebook and Twitter!

Related posts:

1. Last Farm Tour and Potluck at Manoff Market Gardens
2. 'Tis the Season

Amy Manoff suggests keeping the apples as cold as possible without freezing. Manoff’s has 3 varieties left for sale – Fuji, Pink Lady and Gold Rush – and they are all good “keepers,” says Amy. Solebury Orchards has Keepsake (the parent variety to Honey Crisp), Fuji, Goldrush, Pink Lady, Granny Smith, and Braeburn Apples for sale.

See their web sites for store hours. And check out Amy Manoff’s blog about life on the farm. Nice pictures and a feel for what the seasons bring.

Related posts:

1. Bucks County apples: Juicy, crunchy and sweet
2. Labor Day in Bucks County
3. Last Farm Tour and Potluck at Manoff Market Gardens

For starters, what better way to get into the “holiday spirit” than sipping some spirits? The Bucks County Wine Trail is hosting a Holiday Celebration at all Bucks County wineries. Stop by Buckingham Valley Vineyards for some of their just-released Ruby Port or Champagne (officially, “sparkling wine”). I just had some recently at Andre’s Wine and Cheese Shop in Doylestown. More of a semi-dry Champagne and quite delicious. Need I say what a great gift it would make? Crossing Vineyards and Wycombe Vineyards also have some great activities in store for the weekend. Many of the wineries have special seasonal wines – like Spice Wines – just in time for the holidays.

Farmers’ Markets? You betcha. Stockton’s Indoor Farmers’ Market is off to a great start. They are open both Saturday and Sunday (see the Food Events in Bucks County for more details). The Wrightstown Farmers’ Market is having a mini-winter market this Saturday, pre-orders appreciated. And Parkside Orchid Nursery in Ottsville is hosting an indoor Holiday Farmers’ Market with local gift items for sale. The Kitchen Potager will be there with beautiful gift baskets of all local products. They flew off the shelves at last week’s Holiday Market at Linden Hill Gardens. Stop by Manoff Market Gardens in Solebury too at their Holiday Open House. Sip some cider and get the last of the season’s apples.

In addition to the above, several firehouses are hosting breakfasts, and there are cookie sales going on, seemingly everywhere!

Hanukkah begins tonight and continues for eight days, through next Saturday. Look for my upcoming post on some delectable potato pancakes (latkes). Get some homemade applesauce from Manoff’s to go with it!

Have a wonderful, warm weekend. For more details on any of the events below, please click on this link: Food Events in Bucks County.

Friday, December 11th:

• Spaghetti Dinner @ Delaware Valley Fire Co., 5:30 – 7:30 pm, Erwinna, PA. Santa Claus will be there!
• Kindle Cafe Supper Club at Rojo’s Roastery, 7:30 – 9:00 pm, Lambertville, NJ.

Saturday, December 12th:

• Holiday Celebration - Bucks County Wine Trail, Various Bucks County Wineries.
• Cookie Sale @ West Swamp Mennonite Church, 9 am – 12 pm, Quakertown, PA.
• Cookie Walk & Fruit/Nutroll pick-up, 9 am – 12 pm, St Anne Ukrainian Catholic Church, Warrington, PA.
• Indoor Stockton Farmers’ Market, 9 am – 3 pm, Stockton, NJ.
• Wrightstown Farmers’ Mini-Market, 10 – 11 am, Wrightstown, PA.
• Indoor Holiday Farmer’s Market, 10 am – 2 pm, Parkside Orchid Nursery, Ottsville, PA.
• Holiday Open House @ Manoff Market Gardens, 10 am – 5:30 pm, Solebury, PA.
• Holiday Wine Festival @ Crossing Vineyards and Winery , 12 – 6 pm, Washington Crossing, PA.
• Herbal Holidays @ Tinicum Herb Barn, 1 – 4 pm, 610-847-8452, Erwinna, PA.
• Outdoor Chanukah Menorah Lighting & Potluck, 5 – 7 pm, Bristol Jewish Center, Bristol Borough, PA.
• Colonial Holiday Dinner, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, The Moland House (Washington’s Headquarters), Hartsville, PA.

Sunday, December 13th:

• Holiday Celebration – Bucks County Wine Trail, Various Bucks County Wineries.
• Breakfast @ Upper Black Eddy Fire Company, 7:30 am – 12 pm, Upper Black Eddy, PA.
• Breakfast Buffet @ Richland Twp Fire & Rescue, 8 am – 1 pm, Quakertown, PA.
• Breakfast Buffet @ Silverdale Fire Company, 8 am – 1 pm, Silverdale, PA.
• Indoor Stockton Farmers’ Market, 10 am – 3 pm, Stockton, NJ.
• Sugarplum/Nutcracker Tea @ Byers’ Choice Christmas Museum & Gift Emporium, 11 am – 3 pm, Chalfont, PA.
• Holiday Wine Festival @ Crossing Vineyards and Winery , 12 – 6 pm, Washington Crossing, PA.
• Herbal Holidays @ Tinicum Herb Barn, 1 – 4 pm, Erwinna, PA.
• A Dummies Guide to Wine Tasting @ Crossing Vineyards and Winery, 2 pm, Washington Crossing, PA.

Related posts:

1. Tasting and touring Bucks County
2. Bucks Food Calendar: August 12, 2010
3. Bucks Food Calendar: August 19, 2011

Autumn means more than pumpkins at Bucks County farms and farm markets; it also means a parade of apples that change weekly, each with its own personality and flavor.

With enticing names such as Zestar, Honey Crisp, Cortland, Macoun, Mutsu, Keepsake, Gala, Fuji, Jonagold, Jonathan, Empire, McIntosh, Winesap, Stayman, Cameo, Sun Crisp, Pink Lady, Braeburn, Gold Rush and Granny Smith, the season marches forward.

At local farms you can find varieties with more flavor and crunch than most sold in supermarkets, with the added environmental bonus that no fossil fuels were used to bring them here to Bucks. Not only are they better for eating and are fresher, but they make terrific pies, cakes, cobblers, crisps and applesauce because they have so much flavor and texture.

Amy and Gary Manoff, who own Manoff Market Gardens in Solebury, are among the local farmers enjoying a bountiful apple crop this season. Partly because of the rain, the crop is large, and the apples especially juicy.

With pie season upon us, Amy finds herself reaching for sweet Jonagolds, with a few tart apples thrown in give her pie added flavor. For baking whole apples with a little butter, sugar and cinnamon, she recommends tart Staymans, an all-round great baking apple. For those who like a sweeter taste, she suggest Jonagolds, which also hold their shape well in the oven when baked whole.

For sauces she likes to start with Golden Delicious, a sweet apple, and add in some Mutsu, Winesap, Keepsake or Fuji. “That way you don’t have to add sugar,” she said. Using cider in place of water – the Manoffs began pressing their own this week – gives applesauce more flavor and depth.

No matter what you are making, you can use any variety apple you like to eat, for baking or sauce, she said. Some people like to make their pies out of Galas, traditionally a sweet eating apple, she said, which is fine if that’s what they like.

Bucks County has plenty of farms and farm markets that carry freshly harvested apples including Bechdolt’s Orchards in Hellertown, Fairview Farm in Pineville, Penn Vermont Fruit Farm in Bedminster, Solebury Orchards in Solebury, Solly’s Farm Market in Ivyland, Styer Orchards in Langhorne, Tabora Farms in Chalfont and Tall Pines Farm in Rushland.

Manoff Market Gardens
3157 Comfort Road
Solebury, Pa., 18963
215-297-8220

Baked Apples
Serves 4

INGREDIENTS
4 Stayman or Jonagold apples
½ cup brown sugar
4 Tbsp. butter
2 tsp. cinnamon (or spice of your choice)

HOW TO

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Core apple without removing bottom. Remove seeds and stem but don’t cut all the way through. Stuff each apple with 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 tablespoon butter. Place in a shallow baking dish and sprinkle with cinnamon.
3. Bake in preheated oven for 15-30 minutes, until sugar begins to caramelize and apples are tender. Larger apples may take longer.

Apple Crisp
Serves 6-8

INGREDIENTS
3 pounds local apples (mostly tart and a few sweet)
2 Tbsp lemon juice
½ cup light brown sugar, packed
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup rolled oats
4 Tbsp (1/2 stick) cold butter, cut into 8 pieces
½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)

HOW TO

1. Peel, core and chop the apples; toss in a bowl with lemon juice. In a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg; add to the apples and toss to combine.
2. In another bowl combine flour, sugar and oats. Cut butter into flour with a pastry blender or two forks until mixture is crumbly. Stir in the chopped nuts, if using.
3. Butter a 9-inch square baking dish. Spread apple mixture in bottom of baking dish then sprinkle with flour mixture. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 45 minutes, or until apples are tender and topping is lightly browned.
4. Serve warm or at room temperature, with vanilla ice cream or cream.

Related posts:

1. Tidbit: Storing apples for winter
2. Labor Day in Bucks County
3. Last Farm Tour and Potluck at Manoff Market Gardens

Manoff's apples - just in!

Mark and I had the pleasure of being at last night’s potluck and farm tour at Manoff Market Gardens, sponsored by the Bucks County Foodshed Alliance. What a perfect night. As Gary and Amy Manoff walked us through their orchards, the sunset painted the sky and the cool air surrounded us. Be sure to stop by Manoff’s for some peaches and their beautiful and varied apples have started coming in.

Labor Day Weekend Eats…where shall we start? There’s something for everyone.

First off, make sure to stop by your local farm stand or farmers’ market for the cookout. The weekend weather looks bee-u-tee-full. Veggies and fruit that is fresh and wonderful right now – corn, tomatoes, peppers (sweet and hot), eggplants, onions, and get some peaches before they’re all gone. Linden Hill has their market on Friday afternoons; Doylestown and Wrightstown are Saturday mornings. Catch Springtown’s market on Wednesday afternoons, and Lower Makefield and New Hope on Thursday afternoons (details on our calendar).

The 44th Annual Polish-American Festival takes place all weekend at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa on Ferry Road in Doylestown. Lots of good lip-smacking Polish food – pierogi, potato placki, grilled kielbasa, golabki, Polish ice, Polish fries and then all the normal fun fair food. Smacznego! (Polish for “Bon Appetit”)

Frenchtown (over on the other side of the river, in Nu Joisey) is hosting their annual RiverFest on Saturday and Sunday. The word is food is going to be great, focusing on fresh, local food and restaurants. Just the way we like it!

Get details on any of these events at our Food Events in Bucks County calendar. Have a safe and sweet weekend.

Related posts:

1. Bucks Food Calendar: September 2, 2010
2. Bucks County apples: Juicy, crunchy and sweet
3. Bucks Food Calendar: August 19, 2011

The potluck supper begins at 6:30pm and is followed at 7:30pm by the farmer-guided tour of one of the area’s premier small farms. There is no charge and no need to register for the event: just come with a picnic dish to share and your own beverages, eating equipment and chairs.

Manoffs’ is at 3157 Comfort Road (between Laurel and Paxson roads), Solebury, PA 18963. The event is held rain or shine.

Gary and Amy Manoff began farming on Comfort Road in 1984. They are known for their white and yellow peaches and nectarines and 20 different varieties of apples, as well as strawberries, blackberries, melons, pumpkins and flowers. Pick-your-own crops include strawberries and pumpkins. The farm stand, open from spring through January, sells seasonal fruit as well as the jams, butters, peaches and applesauce they make from their own fruit. They also do gift baskets year-round. The whole family participates, and even Hale, the family’s Lab, gets into the act as the official welcoming committee.

For more information, contact Robin Hoy, BCFA executive director, 215.860.7081, ecorobinhood@comcast.net or log on to BucksCountyFoodshedAlliance.org.

The Bucks County Foodshed Alliance, founded in 2006, is a coalition of farmers, landowners, restaurateurs, educators, environmentalists and consumers working together to foster and expand a comprehensive, local, sustainable food supply in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. General meetings, open to the public, are held the first Wednesday of the month at the Wrightstown Village Library or other area venues of special interest.

Related posts:

1. This summer’s farm tours
2. Labor Day in Bucks County
3. Bucks County apples: Juicy, crunchy and sweet