Winter Menu: Valentine’s Day Meal

This year make your loved ones a special meal for Valentine’s Day using local ingredients. Nothing says “I love you” more than a home-cooked meal! With these recipes, from the appetizer to dessert, you can use all kinds of local products available in the winter.

Butternut-Apple Bisque brought to you by Red Fire Farm in Granby: Start your meal off with the warmth of bisque. The squash, apples, and onions used in this recipe can all be found locally this time of year. Look for all of these products at the Amherst Winter Market, too!

Roasted Pork Chops with Apples and Onions from the Happy Valley Locavore Blog: Local pork is always in season and makes a wonderful main dish for this holiday! And remember to get your apples and onions locally grown in the Pioneer Valley as well. This recipe also includes optional apple cider which you can get locally here, and then you can also serve it warm with the meal or as dessert!

Red Cabbage and Apple Slaw from the Happy Valley Locavore Blog: Match your pork chops with this complementary coleslaw using local ingredients. The cabbage, onions, and cider vinegar can all be found this winter in Western Mass. Remember that you should be able to find apples locally at this time of year, too!

Mashed Potatoes and Parsnips brought to you by Mountain View Farm: Nothing goes better with roasted pork chops than mashed potatoes! Mountain View Farm in Easthampton brings you a twist by adding parsnips to the mix. Don’t forget that you can find milk for this recipe locally, too!

Carrot Cake brought to you by the Kitchen Garden Farm in Sunderland: A perfect way to show you care! You can make this treat into a local favorite by finding local carrots, eggs, and flour in the Pioneer Valley.

Make this meal extra special by serving local wine or beer!