With the sunshine and the trees budding, I always get the spring fever.  It isn’t driven by raging hormones or full moon.  What inspires me during the season of renewal is gorgeous spring produce.  Farmer’s markets start filling up with asparagus and peas and spring greens.  The color makes its way back onto the plate.  Freshness and youth are the flavors of spring.

Spinach from Windy City Harvest (Photo by Gourmet Rambler)

I am the ultimate city slicker.  I live and play in the heart of the metropolis.  You could say I am pretty far removed from any conventional farm.  I am lucky to shop at the farmer’s markets here.  But visiting a farm?  That’s a road trip beyond the city limits.  Or is it?  When I signed up for Good Food Festival, I was surprised to see an Urban and Vertical Farm bus tour on the schedule.  Wait, what?  Urban and vertical farms?  This I had to see for myself.  So, bright and early on a Saturday morning I got on the bus.  That was the end of the expected.

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With my sincere apologies to our vegetarian readers, this video made us laugh out loud!  For those of us who have ever thrown a party or had to alter the menu it will hit close to home, but in the most ironic way.  NOTE:  no cats were harmed in the production of this video.  All of the squash escaped unscathed as well.  Please, enjoy this 2009 Mitchell & Webb sketch:  Vegetarians from Another Point of View.  Happy Food Friday from Gourmet Rambler!

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March 17th.  St. Patrick’s Day.  The day that EVERYONE claims to be a little Irish.  Here in Chicago, the river died green, green beer and silly green hats reign supreme.  A lot of Irish folks call our fair city home.  A lot of others claim to be Irish on March 17th, maybe in part to excuse their over indulgences.  There are parades and parties and drink specials galore.  Ours is the city that loves its celebrating.  “Kiss me, I’m Irish!”  Well, on March 17th at least.

St. Patrick's Day Love from a Russian (Photo from www.punjabigraphics.com)

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