Seasonal Menu @ Rare...

[Chef Fowke]

Finally, Tim has given me a weekend off ~ the first since we opened in April....

But he is only giving me the weekend off so I can go to the Okanagan to research our Harvest Seasonal Menu. He wants me to tour all the farms and orchards and come back with the best BC has to offer.

I am really excited about this project, but I only have 3 days to explore the Okanagan and have only been there once as an adult (...for a wedding).

Being raised and reared in Alberta, my family made many trips to the BC interior...but only a few to the Okanagan. What do the indigenous BC people associate fall with cuisine? What are the essential BC autumn menus and/or meals?

I leave in 48 hours and any help on ideas, farms to visit and places to see would be appreciated.

Brian.

[James Kendal]

Brian,

I think you may also be successful touring the Sannich, Metchosin, and the Cowichan Valley. You will find many more farms than the Okanagan.

[barrett]

just come back with a car full of wine. he can't be angry forever.

[CanadianBakin']

I can't help at all with where to go but there are definitely foods I'm looking forward to because the weather is cooler. Nothing newsbreaking just good fall food. I love the rich flavours of vegetables that are now available, when they are roasted... different squashes, yams, parsnips, etc. And the wonderful array of apples are awesome with these as well. I love beef braised in some of BC's great wines. It seems to me autumn is about rich colours and flavours. A great time to use some of the more traditional spices like cloves, cardamon, cinnamon, etc. Desserts that use oatmeal. These are some of the flavours I look forward to. Hopefully some of our more experienced diners will add to this.

Edited October 5, 2006 by CanadianBakin' (log)

[Zucchini Mama]

Leeks, all kinds of winter squash, pumpkins, wild mushrooms, sage, fall wildflower honey, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, apples up the yin yang, freshly ground grains from the stone mill in Keremeos, and I'm sure Huntin' Season is open for wild fowl. It is in Saskatchewan, so wear your orange t-shirt, just in case!

[stovetop]

http://www.secondwindfarms.ca/

http://www.lwtruscottfarms.homestead.com/

http://www.integrityllamafarm.com/

http://www.hannaorchards.com/

http://www.k-l-o.com/

http://www.pioneercountrymarket.com/

http://www.gortsgoudacheese.bc.ca/

Summerland Trout Hatchery

The Ministry of Fisheries offers a self-guided tour of this hatchery, which raises two million Rainbow Trout and Eastern Brook Char for release into 300 lakes each year. Free admission. Open daily year-round, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Address: 13405 South Lakeshore Dr. Summerland

1 494-0491

http://countryroads.shuswap.net/members.htm

http://www.buyalpacas.com/

http://www.larchhillswinery.bc.ca/

http://www.villagecheese.com/

http://www.recline-ridge.bc.ca/

[Vancitygirl]

Steve,

Thanks a ton for all this great information. You are becoming an excellent source. I am heading up to the Okanagan and will definitely be checking some of these places out. Along with about 30 wineries!

Cassandra

[stovetop]

Thanks Cassandra

Let us know how much fun you had

Come to the island next and compare

We may not have to volume of wine but we have the food and seafood

the last time I checked the Okanagan did not have seafood- maybe freshwater

steve

[Chef Fowke]

Thanks Cassandra

Let us know how much fun you had

Come to the island next and compare

We may not have to volume of wine but we have the food and seafood

the last time I checked the Okanagan did not have seafood- maybe freshwater

steve

←

You are the man, Steve! Thanks for all the suggestions...

Unfortunately the trip has been postponed, 30 000 pounds of grapes just got harvested where I was going to be staying/eating Thanksgiving dinner. Grapes before friends.

I will be rescheduling in early November. I hope the Okanagan is still open for business!