Out of The Earth: A Heritage Farm Coast Cookbook Author: Kerry Downey Romaniello Publisher: Spinner Publications, Inc. New Bedford, MA

About the Author: Kerry Downey Romaniello is the at Executive Chef of Westport Rivers’ Wine and Food Education Center, Long Acre House in Westport, MA. She is dedicated to promoting her community as a sustainable fishing, farming, food, wine and culturally rich region.

Review:
For those of us who live, work or play in coastal Rhode Island and Massachusetts “Out of The Earth, A Heritage Farm Coast Cookbook” is a unique glimpse into the farms dotting the surrounding landscape. These farms are the source of native ingredients destined to grace our local farmer’s markets, organic co-ops and roadside stands. For the reader perhaps unfamiliar with this region, to define the Heritage Farm Coast geographically it spans the coastal watershed with land mass from the Cape Cod Canal to the Sakonnet Passage in Rhode Island”. Note: The region has since changed its name to Farm Coast New England. (www.farmcoastnewengland.com) It is from this region Chef Kerry Downey Romaniello has collected and shared the stories of the farms and the recipes for cooking sustainably and locally, so we may to be treated to the bounty these farms offer.

Out of the Earth is a narrative of sustainability, how to sustain the local environment, local farms and ourselves. It begins with an introduction to the agricultural history of this region; from the settling of Quaker townships to the Native Americans who taught them planting methods for staples such as corn, beans and squash. After a brief overview on how we can move towards a sustainable future, it delves into the profiles of individual farms. To make the journey easier to navigate, farms are divided into groups by the produce they grow and corresponding recipes. Sections include: Herbs, Lettuces and Edible Flowers, Pumpkins, Squash and Potatoes, Corn, Beans and Tomatoes, Apples and Peaches, Berries and More Berries, Grapes for Wine, and lastly; The Westport Macomber. Each of these sections then share with us two individual farm profiles, complete with beautiful photos and interviews with the farmers along with recipes using the native ingredients. For example; in the section entitled “Pumpkins, Squash and Potatoes” we are treated to an interview with the Ferolbink Farm located at 993 Neck Road in Tiverton, RI. The 500 plus acre Ferolbink Farm is locally known for growing corn, potatoes, pumpkins, winter squash and sweet corn. The largest crop they grow is potatoes, and Out of the Earth grants us a behind the scenes look at just what is involved in potato production; from supply and demand, climate, sizing to competition from large corporate farms. After reading about Ferolbink Farm and all those potatoes, just what do you do with them? Simply turn the page. Chef Romaniello has provided us with local recipes such as Country Potato Pate with Rosemary Applesauce. Or what about a main course of a Russet Potato and Onion Tart?

The theme of a farm profile and a small collection of recipes are repeated again and again to a total of eleven farms and vineyards being featured. All the while, the author reminds us of the need to support these farms, not only for sustainability but to preserve our area’s rich agricultural history. I recommend this cookbook, not only from the standpoint of someone who supports locally grown items, but also as someone who loves to cook. Most of the recipes are ones easy enough to feel confident serving to friends and family on the first trial run, yet guaranteed to become family classics themselves. One of my favorites is the Riesling Cake; it’s delicately flavored with almonds honey and brown sugar; perfect when served with homemade whipped cream and fresh raspberries, or other seasonal fruit.

I’ll let you read the cookbook to find out for yourself what a Westport Macomber is, its history and what cook with it!

Farms featured in the Out of the Earth A Heritage Farm Coast Cookbook include:

Costa's Farm
1404 Main Road Westport, MA (508) 636-4563

Decas Cranberry Company
4 Old Forge Drive Carver, MA 02330

Ferolbink Farms
993 Neck Road Tiverton, RI (401) 624-4107

Gray's Grist Mill
638 Adamsville Rd Westport, MA www.graysgristmill.com

John George Farms
291 Slocum Road Dartmouth, MA (508) 999-5211

Noquochoke Orchards
594 Drift Road Westport, MA 02790 www.noqorchards.com

Oakdale Farm
61 Wheaton Avenue Rehoboth, MA 02769 www.oakdalefarms.com

Sakonnet Vineyards
162 West Main Road Little Compton, RI 02873 www.sakonnetwine.com

Ward's Berry Farm
614 South Main Street Sharon, MA (781) 784-3600

Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery
417 Hixbridge Road Westport, MA www.westportrivers.com

Enjoy! By Kelly Kidson

Kelly is a self proclaimed foodie, former Nutrition Team Leader at Whole Foods Market and Freelance Writer. Born in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate NY, she now resides in Rhode Island. She has a preference for strong Greek coffee and Pentel needle tip pens; she will gladly write for either. She may be contacted at kelly.kidson [at] gmail.com