In Our Spring 2023 Issue

Grist for the Mill

Spring this year is serving up all sorts of weather here in the Capital Region. Mornings are starting out still with that winter jacket, but the sun is setting later with a sign of long, warm bright days to come. The green of the grass is that spring green that starts to awaken your senses, and there is a slight smell of dirt in the air as I start a spring cleanup around the flower and herb gardens.

In this issue we have lots of spring recipes ready for you to sample—I can’t wait to try Chef Taff y Elrod’s Spring Radish Soup with Radish Top Pesto (page 13) and Red Berry Almond Crisp for Two (page 10). Chef Taff y Elrod is our Edible Voices guest—now living in Schenectady with her husband, Pizza Man, and teaching culinary arts at Hudson Valley Community College in the Educational Opportunity Center. She focuses on professional cooking skills for people who may want a career in food.

We also shine a light on bacon alternative MyBacon, which is produced right here in the Capital Region by two Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates: MyForest Foods co-founders Eben Bayer and Gavin McIntyre, who are now growing the world’s largest vertical mycelium farm on Green Island (their first batch of mycelium spores was cultivated under one co-founder’s dorm room bed). Now in 50 stores in New York and Western Massachusetts, MyBacon is growing an enthusiastic fan base including bacon-loving story writer Kathleen Willcox.

Regular contributor Maria Buteux Reade visits River Street Market’s beautiful innovative food hall located in Troy. Just steps away from the Collar City Bridge, this market features creative food entrepreneurs offering authentic made-from-scratch global tastes. Read more about this fun meeting and dining place that has something for everyone on page 20. Warning, the food photos and vendor spotlights will make you hungry.

During this time of spring renewal, try some of our recipes and let us know what you think. Tag us on Instagram—we’ll post our favorites and you will get a chance to receive one of our Edible Capital District tote bags. Perfect for shopping at the farmers’ market.

Warm regards,
Mary Blair
Editor