Matarazzo's Farm Has A Peachy Solution to Hunger In NJ

by Melody Kettle

Known to many in Essex County from his family owned and operated "Matarazzo Farms" in West Caldwell, Jim Matarazzo has been a fixture at the Montclair Farmers' Market for several years. It's peach season in the Garden State and Jim will be sharing his bounty with those in need on Saturday.

 From 8am to 2 pm Matarazzos will give a free quart of Jersey Peaches to anyone who is struggling in this economy. Each Saturday morning the Matarazzos, and several other farmers, bring the locally grown fruits of their labors to the Walnut Street station parking lot. As a foodie I'm all over the farmer's market, as a transplanted Californian I am thrilled to find produce that is not from the San Joaquin Valley and as a resident of NJ I love the idea that the Garden State is more than a slogan but a way of life.

Read More

Review of Montclair's Bistro 18

by Melody Kettle in ,

Bistro 18 has received several good reviews, including a three star rating from the Star Ledger.  During HFTK’s quest to find the best restaurants in northern New Jersey, I thought Bistro 18 would be a safe bet. Contrary to  praising reviews, Bistro 18 was a disappointment.

Click through to read the review.

Fashionable Palate: Plum Wine

by Melody Kettle in

The Fashionable Palate, Sara Lehman, sweetens up summer with Plum Wine and sushi.

"Plum wine is relatively inexpensive and great to try with miso soup, sushi, and other salty Asian cusine!"

Curious? Read more on HFTK Wine.

Mano A Vino: Pop Up Wine Bars

by Melody Kettle in

Pop-Up Wine Bars are all the rage! And the creativity of wine people never ceases to amaze me. 

Here are some unexpected wine spots that I love, like this one, ultimate in camping posted by The Wine Guy.

Read More

Pickling Possibilities: Carrots, Onions, and Green Grapes

by Melody Kettle

At this time of year, I would ordinarily be occupied making sauce and putting up tomatoes. But this August, I've grown rather fond of pickling.

Pickling, also known as brining or corning, is a 4000 year old technique for preserving food via fermentation in a brine solution, or storage in an acid solution, typically vinegar.

The word pickle derives from the Dutch word pekel, meaning brine. Though, in the US, the word pickle almost always refers to a pickled cucumber, there are plenty of pickling possibilities if we go beyond the gherkin.

Read More

A Hot From The Kettle Vacation: Vermont Camping, Beer & Food

by Melody Kettle

Primer: Camping + Glamourous = "Glamping"

Last week, the Kettle family went "glamping." Mr. Hot, the Lil' Kettle's and myself packed up a 20 x 12 foot tent, three queen air mattresses with 600 t.c. sheets, and headed out for the Green Mountain State, Vermont.

Roughing it? Not exactly.  But I was fully prepped for cooking in the great outdoors. I picked up a Weber Smokey Joe, some  Match Light Charcoal, a few lighters, plenty of weenies and assorted tubular meat products, and I was ready to light it up.

Read More