Today was my first time doing the Stillman’s Farm meat pickup over in Brookline. Somehow, I’d managed to weasel my way out of it every other time, leaving Karen of Verbatim (my meat partner) to do the dirty work. But I sucked it up so I could finally meet the farmer and add yet another name to my little black book (though my heart still belongs to another, it’s always a good idea to keep your options open).
I haven’t talked much about cooking from my Stillman’s meat share (except here) not because it sucks. It doesn’t. But because when you split a half share and you’re me, it barely lasts the whole ride home. That’s only, like, five or six pounds of meat. I’m sure Stillman’s wouldn’t recommend sucking on the frozen packages like they were giant meat popsicles while gunning it through Fast Lane, but we do things a little differently inside the 128 belt. So, yeah. Anyway. It’s not nearly enough.
I was also excited about this meat pickup because I would get to meet one of my readers, Andrea, who recently joined Stillman’s and drives all the way up from the Cape. Usually, I like to keep a low profile and let people construct outlandish ideas of what I might be like. But much like the first intimate encounters in a budding romance, sometimes it’s best to get the disappointment out of the way early.
Anyway, Andrea proved to be as nice as could be, and brought me THE BEST present ever. Have a look:
This shan’t be given the indignity of mud splatters on the bumper of my car. I will be wearing it on my forehead now and forever.
While I was there, I also ran into Jo of Amuse Bouche, and Tse-Wei and Diana of Off the Bone. Wow. It’s almost as if everyone loves farmers!
After buying the Preschooler a cookie the size of his sweet head at Clear Flour, we returned home with the loot. Here’s what we got: lamb chops, a porterhouse steak, 2 packages of ground beef, a ham, a strip steak, and bacon. Dividing up the goods is always a huge question mark, but I’m pretty sure those lamb chops have my name on them. And the bacon.
Oh man - I ALWAYS miss the party! I am meating up (yeah, pun, I am laaaaame) with Aidan in JP tomorrow to get my ham.
Ahh sheesh, I can't believe I missed it. :(
Mmmmmmmmm bacon......
Posted by: Lily VS | March 16, 2008 at 11:13 PM
HAHAHA! Meat popsicle! I have 3 packages of bacon in the freezer. It was really on sale. I never though of sucking on them. I swear you're brilliant.
I don't think we have meat shares here, but my group of friends and I put our name in for a cow this week. So when our little cow gets bigger we're each getting a quarter of a cow. Yay! (seriously we have a delay because our cow isn't big enough.)
Posted by: Mary | March 17, 2008 at 12:56 AM
I just noticed that you updated the sidebars of the site! When did that happen? Bet it happened like a month ago and I'm just noticing now. I like all the new links, but I think I'm going to miss the "Ask the pseudo-chef" questions.
Posted by: Sandicita | March 17, 2008 at 08:02 AM
There's a meat CSA? With pickup in Brookline?
Huh. I guess I know where I'm getting my meat next year.
Posted by: Adele | March 17, 2008 at 09:43 AM
I joined the CSA. They don't offer meat, sadly. I guess I could always join ANOTHER one. Just more cursing to send your way when I get all overwhelmed. :-)
Hey, so how was the new farmer?
Posted by: Ann | March 17, 2008 at 11:40 AM
OK, so what is it with you and these farmers? We didn't get bacon in our share. He is soooo flirting with you!
It was great to meet you and Preschooler (hope he enjoyed his cookie - my treat from Clear Flour was the only thing keeping me from tearing into the meat-sicles myself.)
So, I'm guessing this is my brush with fame. I'm still kicking myself that I didn't get you to autograph my computer!
Posted by: andrea | March 17, 2008 at 05:05 PM
Andrea: That shouldn't count as your brush with fame. I'm not even famous within my own household! No perks at all. But I'm sad you didn't get bacon.
Ann: The new farmer is nice. Really chatty and friendly. Apparently, I'm only tongue-tied around one specific Farmer. Congrats on joining your CSA!!
Adele: Indeed there is. The secret password is: meat-sicle.
Sandicita: I just updated last week, so you're well within the recommended time frame for noticing. Thanks! I may add the Pseudo-Chef questions back. I haven't gotten many new ones in a while, and thought it might be getting kind of boring.
Mary: A quarter cow! Excellent. A few extra tastes of springtime might make for a happier, more delicious cow.
Lily VS: If I had known it would be such a sidewalk party, I would have invited you! Next time. In the meantime, enjoy your ham!
Posted by: Tammy | March 17, 2008 at 08:57 PM
I am sure you recall that I am a PhD, but I was also a REAL farmer for quite some time on a rather ramshackle place in upstate New Yawk that my wife inherited some years back.
Makes me chuckle when I read about yuppies and their CSAs and their designer hams and organic microgreens.
Their soft hands, pedicured feet and slender backs will never know the JOY of working the land, and thus they will never fully appreciate the overpriced yuppy CSA products hawked in urban parking lots.
Posted by: DocChuck | March 18, 2008 at 11:31 AM
DocChuck: How could I possibly forget a Renaissance man such as yourself? I may have a slender(ish) back and soft(ish) hands, but I sure know a good thing when I see it. I'm afraid a lack of appreciation isn't my problem.
Posted by: Tammy | March 18, 2008 at 03:30 PM