Edible Memphis

This recipe works well with bruised or less-than-perfect peaches. Ketchup, even though it's made in a manner similar to tomato ketchup, probably isn't the best name for this. Think of it as a tart, sweet glaze — for pork, chicken, or crostini.

The Summer issue of Edible Memphis is now out. Be sure to read the review of SMALL-PLOT, HIGH-YIELD GARDENING on page 17. As promised, here's an excerpt from the book. Many thanks to Ten Speed Press for providing this.

Excerpted from SMALL-PLOT, HIGH-YIELD GARDENING by Sal Gilbertie and Larry Sheehan © 2010 published by Ten Speed.

Why Bother?

The ostensible reasons so many of my customers are turning to vegetable gardening are to save money and to eat better.

Why are vegetables so expensive?

There are fewer farmers growing them, mainly. Not long ago, New Jersey—known as the “Garden State”—announced it had lost tens of thousands of its traditional truck-farming acreage to soybean-farming enterprises. A single big-cash crop like soybeans happens to be a lot easier for a farmer to manage than a mess of vegetable fields. With world population expected to exceed 7 billion any minute now and to reach 9 billion by the year 2040, there is going to be a lot more pressure on farmers who are in the business of growing varied crops to either sell their land or convert their fields to the big basic crops.

Truck farms are also being lost to real-estate developments all over the country, which is nothing new but it’s continuing to erode the supply of fresh vegetables. As most such farms tend to be located fairly near their outlets in metropolitan areas, they’re naturally regarded as attractive and potentially valuable building sites.

There are fewer farmers, period. The rural life that Thomas Jefferson and the other Founding Fathers extolled and promoted has practically disappeared. As late as the 1880s and 1890s, some 25 percent of Americans lived on farms. Today less than 1 percent do. We have more people living in prisons than on farms these days.

We've had an explosion in Farmers' Market growth this year! Any day of the week (except Sunday) you can find one or more markets open. Here's a list of markets and hours to keep handy.

Memphis may be known for pork barbecue, but with so many talented chefs and cooks, it’s also home to spectacular vegetarian and vegan food. So whether you are eating healthier or entertaining veggie-loving visitors, there are plenty of options besides a boring salad. Menus and seasons change so be sure to peruse the menu carefully for the latest offerings.

Click on this link VEGGIE FRIENDLY MEMPHIS LIST. View or print as needed.

Many thanks to the many vegetarian friends who helped us compile and check—Margot, Justin, Liza, and Stacy.