Have Bike, Will Forage

by Genevieve Rajewski

My recent Wicked Tasty radio silence reflects the busyness of the last two weeks. I have a new boss at work, a new kitten at home and, in between, it seems like Nate and I have been rushing from obligation to obligation, barely stopping to eat, never mind to cook something healthy and well-considered. 

The only Slow Movement we've enjoyed lately is the time we’ve managed to steal each weekend for a bike ride. Nate and I bought two bicycles (one old, one new) about a month ago and have been easing into biking again through trips along car-free zones such as the Minute Man Bikeway. And I am happy to report that, although we missed the Tour de Farms last weekend, we’ve found another way to combine biking and food: Hungry Nomads maps. 

The maps' culinary cartographers share the lay of Lincoln, Concord, Carlisle, Bedford and Lexington in terms of the towns’ farms and farmers’ markets. There’s also a version for Massachusetts’ South Coast/Rhode Island. 

Today, Nate and I added the map's Chip-In Farm loop to our Minuteman ride. The farm has animals to pet (including the biggest pig we’ve ever seen) and a store (pictured above) to plunder. My lack of a properly fitting back rack for my plaid bike box meant we had to limit our purchases to the two precious ears of Concord corn Nate could carry in his tiny bag. We passed up Sassy Sauces, freshly baked pies and cookies, local peaches and lots more. 

The fitting end to the day was coming home to cook a complete CSA meal with Chestnut Farm chicken legs prepared with Sicilian grilling paste, sautéed garlic kale (compliments of our friend Amy, who got it in her CSA share) and roasted rosemary red potatoes (from the second share April let us have when she was out of town).

Next bike ride, I hope we try the Concord/Walden Pond loop, which features Verrill Farm and Pete and Jen’s Backyard Birds.

Comments

[April Paffrath]

I haven't been out on my bike in too long. I've been busy all the sunny days and free all the raining ones. (What's up with that, I ask you?!) But tomorrow I am RUNNING to Ace Wheelworks and buying Hungry Nomad maps. How awesome are they?! And how awesome are you for pointing them out. My August will not end without something wonderful and tasty in my bicycle's wicker basket.

[KMB]

You obviously need to get that plaid bike box up and running!