Princeton Food Scene: Festival Farmers Market
When is a farmers market also a festival?
While all local farm markets work to create a festive air during their events, on Sunday, June 8, a “Festival Farmers’ Market” hosted by Edible Jersey magazine will be part of the annual Princeton Festival during Community Day.
The special market will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the front lawn of Morven Museum & Garden and will feature fresh produce as well as artisanal foods. Participating vendors include Cherry Grove Farm, which will sell farmstead cheeses; Fairgrown Farm, which offers produce; Nutty Novelties and its nut butters; single-origin matcha from Oiko; lavender products from Princeton Lavender; Mediterranean dips and breads from Little Star Foods; and granola products from The Granola Bar. There also will be shaved ice treats from Rainbow Snow and baked goods and dairy products from Bobolink Dairy and Bakehouse. For more information about Community Day, visit the Princeton Symphony website: princetonsymphony.org/events/community-day.
International food trucks
Mercer County is a melting pot of ethnicities, each with its own unique recipes.
Attendees at the 13th annual Mercer Cultural Festival will find cuisines representing Latin, Italian, Indian, Ukrainian, Greek, Jamaican, and American cultures. There will also be music and dance performances. The festival is Saturday, June 7, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Mercer County Park in West Windsor. Admission is free. For information, visit the Mercer County website: mercercounty.org/departments/culture-and-heritage/cultural-festival.
Every dad has his day
How you choose to celebrate Father’s Day has a lot to do with the dad or dads in your life. Barbecue is popular with some dads, while others would rather be taken out to dinner. Still others enjoy a hike and a picnic in the woods. And others would be happy with a homemade card and a hug. So, what should you do or make for your dad on Sunday, June 15?
If you read magazines and watch talk shows focused on Father’s Day, you might think that every dad in America likes meat and chocolate. Obviously, that can’t be true. There are vegan dads as well as meat-eaters, vegetarians, and those on special diets due to their health. The key to making food for dads is to know their preferences and any limitations. There are recipes available for chocolate-loving vegans as well as for those who can have all the eggs and butter they desire, at least for one day.
Anyone who has made an eggless and butterless chocolate Depression cake, also known as Wacky Cake, will recognize this recipe. It comes from AllRecipes.com, and you can substitute alternative types of flour if you want it to be gluten-free. Add chopped nuts or chocolate chips if that’s what your dad prefers.
Vegan chocolate cake
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water or cold coffee
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar
Instructions:
- Gather all ingredients.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan.
- Sift flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl.
- Add water, oil, vanilla, and vinegar; mix until smooth.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes.
- Frost if preferred. Top with powdered sugar or serve with berries to keep it vegan.
