The polar vortex is going to make next week feel like the middle of winter, but your Halton Fresh Food boxes will be telling another story as we move even closer to the Ontario growing season with Ontario red peppers.  Eggplants are still quite expensive and in low quantities, we should be able to have them in time for our Oakville box in the second week of April.

If you’re looking for something to do with the kids this weekend it’s the last weekend for the Halton Conservation Maple Syrup festival at Crawford Lake!:

Visit the reconstructed Iroquoian Village and learn how maple syrup was discovered and used by Ontario’s First Peoples as you take in an interactive (and edible!) Sweet Water demonstration.

Nostalgia is served warm and gooey in the afternoon as staff demonstrate how to make taffy on snow. Try a tasting flight of different grades and types of syrup before heading to the giftshop to pick up a tasty souvenir.

Kids will enjoy winning a prize for completing the maple themed discovery hunt!

Sweet Water Demonstrations – 11am, 1pm & 3pm
Syrup Sampling – 12pm & 2pm
Maple taffy on snow – 12pm until 4pm ($2 each)

Your Milton Fresh food box for April 5th:

In your $10 bag we have included: Ontario Apples, Oranges, Romaine, Ontario Squash, Ontario Tomatoes, Ontario Red Beets, Ontario Red Peppers, Ontario Sweet Potato, Kiwi , Ontario English Cucumber, Bananas, Ontario Carrots and Broccoli

In your $15 Box we have many of the same items in greater quantity  with additional items: Ontario Apples, Oranges, Romaine, Ontario Squash, Ontario Tomatoes, Ontario Red Beets, Ontario Red Peppers, Ontario Sweet Potato, Kiwi, Ontario English Cucumber, Bananas, Ontario Carrots, Broccoli as well as Celery

In your $20 Box we have many of the same items in greater quantity with additional items: Ontario Apples, Oranges, Romaine, Ontario Squash, Ontario Tomatoes, Ontario Red Beets, Ontario Red Peppers, Ontario Sweet Potato, Kiwi, Ontario English Cucumber, Bananas, Ontario Carrots, Broccoli, Celery as well as Cauliflower and Ontario Mushrooms

Stuffed Red Peppers

• 2 medium Red peppers
• 1/2 cups cooked brown rice
• 4. sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 shallot, sliced
• 1 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tablespoon rosemary
• 1/4 tablespoon butter
• 1/4 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
• salt & pepper

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cut tops of peppers off and clean out the insides.
3. Saute butter, olive oil, shallots, garlic and half the rosemary in a medium pan for 2-3 minutes over medium heat.
4. Add mushrooms and a dash of salt & pepper, toss to combine and saute for another 6-8 minutes.
5. Remove from heat.
6. Combine mushrooms, cheese and cooked rice with remaining rosemary in a medium bowl and season with salt & pepper to taste.
7. Stuff peppers with the mixture and place in a square baking dish with about 1/2 an inch of water on the bottom.
8. Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Photo credit: J-E-F-F via Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND