March is Maple Month, which means it’s time for pancakes and scones and pork chops and whatever else you might pour maple syrup on top of. The possibilities are endless. The taps are going all over the state, so get your asses over to a farm sometime this month and stock up. Some maple-related events for the calendar:
If you’re up for a Sunday drive, the Hardwick Sugar Shack has an open house every Sunday in March from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., where you can watch the syrup-making process take place from tree to table while sipping mulled maple cider. They have horses, too, and I hear it’s pretty nice. I’m thinking of heading out there myself. (Hardwick Sugar Shack, 572 Jackson, Hardwick, MA, 413-477-0932)
Closer to Boston is Drumlin’s Sap to Syrup Farmer’s Breakfast on March 14 and 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy local sausages, potatoes, and, of course, pancakes with maple syrup made the old-fashioned way. Cost is $14 for adults, $11 for children, kids under 3 are free. Register soon as it tends to sell out. (Drumlin Farm, 208 South Great Rd., Lincoln, MA, 781-259-2206)
Also for the city slickers:
Somerville Maple Syrup Project - The Boil Down
Kicking off the 2008 season at the Somerville Community Growing Center…
The Somerville Maple Syrup Project will fire their sap into syrup at The Boil Down on Friday March 13 and Saturday March 14 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Everyone is welcome to stop by to learn about and taste the sap & syrup collected from Somerville trees.
http://homegrownorg.ning.com/group/bostonhomegrowners
Posted by: Cornelia | March 04, 2009 at 01:58 PM
Wasn't it *just* Maple Month? Where does the time go?
Posted by: Ed Harrison | March 04, 2009 at 03:44 PM
Even though intellectually I am aware that maple syrup comes out of a tree, it blows my mind that people who live in far cooler places than I can go see it happen! Cool. And Tammy, please keep the profanity coming. It makes me feel right at home.
Posted by: Erin | March 05, 2009 at 09:46 AM
Erin: I know, it's wild that trees can leak such deliciousness. One of my neighbors has a beautiful sugar maple in the front yard and I salivate every time I drive by.
Ed: Time just evaporates until you're left with nothing more than the thick, sweet release of death. (Enjoy your syrup!)
Cornelia: I knew there was something else I read somewhere--thanks for the reminder. Husband wants to know if you'll be tapping any of the coveted McGrath Highway maples.
Posted by: Tammy | March 05, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Thanks for the mention of the Hardwick Sugar Shack, Tammy! We had some "Food on the Food" readers stop by--they are a hardy bunch since it was pouring rain this Sunday!
It looks like maple syrup season is over at the Hardwick Sugar Shack. The temperature is getting too warm, the sugar content is going down, and the sap changes flavor as the buds start to pop. Always a bittersweet time--I'm sorry to stop making syrup (we can never make enough), but I'm tired! Yup, could use a break and looking forward to all that spring brings next...
Posted by: Megan McDonough-Raskett | March 30, 2009 at 11:15 AM