A harvest and feast at my home in Maine
A couple of weeks ago, I invited a small group from my television crew to join me for an inspirational weekend at Skylands, my home in Maine. It was also the same weekend that all the vegetables from the garden were harvested, providing us with an end of summer bounty. Tom Joseph, one of the chefs from the TV test kitchen, joined me in the kitchen preparing delicious and nutritious meals. We built up healthy appetites hiking and exploring all day and here are some photos of the harvest and of one great feast.
1 Rainbow carrots - a colorful array of yellow white, and orange
2 Amazing artichokes
3 Three kinds of beets - golden, red, and a candy striped beet called Chioggia
4 Beautiful full heads of cabbage and large stalks of broccoli
5 This is the largest broccoli we had ever seen - grown in my own garden in Maine - it was delicious and fed eight of us!
6 Tom Joseph prepared the dinner with me - he is one of the chefs in our TV test kitchen. He is a student at New York University working on his MA of Food Studies - his thesis is on Vietnamese Foodways/Pho (a traditional Vietnamese beef noodle soup).
7 Tom making faces!
8 Tom made a lemon tart with meringue - the curd was from the juice of my own Bedford lemons.
9 The table for this Saturday night supper was set in the kitchen because we were serving messy lobsters in the shell.
10 We roasted freshly harvested Mt. Desert potatoes - they were wrapped in parchment lined foil and baked until tender in the oven.
11 This is before they were roasted.
12 I am about to smash the potato on the table - this breaks up the flesh into a snowy fluffy mound - so delicious.
13 I love my potato with butter and sour cream and chives.
14 The lobsetrs were from Downeast Lobster Pound - soft shells called shedders - the meat is tender. The 1 1/4-pounders take 15 minutes to cook in boiling water.
15 Sauteed Swiss chard, potato, and broccoli - simple, fresh, nutritious
16 Here is Tom, really enjoying the fruits of his labors. The egg cups held the clarified butter for dipping the lobster meat.
17 And the piece de resistance - lemon curd tart.
18 Another view - Yumm - I could eat the whole tart.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
We finished harvesting from our garden today. We have such bounty that we're running out of storage room!
How do you store things like cabbages and root veggies, Martha? Do you have a walk-in cooler? We have a cold storage area and refrigerator but I still end up fighting mold growth. Any tips?
Posted by: Clayvessel from Pie in the Sky | October 19th, 2009 at 2:59 am
Wonderful meal and chef!!!
Posted by: smalltownboy | October 19th, 2009 at 3:33 am
What a lovely and tasty carrots! Make me feel guilty not have worked in my vegetable garden this year. But a broken foot and no gardener isn't very helpfull for that garden in abundance
But NEXT year......
greetings Netka
Belgium, land of beer and chocolates, mmmmmm....
Posted by: Netka Croonenborghs | October 19th, 2009 at 3:55 am
Hi Martha,
I've always desidered having a vegetable garden to grow all the vegetables I love! I live in a small town and my dream is to move to the countryside.
Your photos are so beautiful, colourful and...appetizing!
The artichokes, particularly, make me hungry....
Thank you for sharing this experience.
Daniela
Posted by: Daniela | October 19th, 2009 at 5:45 am
GREAT IDEA with the egg cups! Born in Maine, I have been eating lobster my whole life and never thought to do that. They are the perfect size and shape to dip that tail in and get it completely slathered in butter. You learn something new every day!
Posted by: Wandering Foodie | October 19th, 2009 at 7:09 am
What a harvest and what a feast! Thanks again for sharing with us.
Heather
Posted by: Heather Swan | October 19th, 2009 at 7:36 am
Food is a celebration of friendship and life...just as it should be! What better way to enjoy being together at your place in Maine?
Posted by: Lynn from For Love or Funny | October 19th, 2009 at 8:52 am
What a feast!! Martha, not only could I have eaten the entire tart BUT devoured everyones lobster as well!!
The veggies are beautiful and oh so healthy looking. . .
Thanks again . .
Best regards your loyal follower. .
Nina
Posted by: nina zeumer | October 19th, 2009 at 10:14 am
You did it again Martha - made me drool! I actually slurped here at my computer as I eyed those lobsters and veggies. Good grief!
~
You produce the most beautiful crops and it is nice that you share so many of them with your co-workers and friends. As always, thanks for your detailed pictures. Trish
Posted by: Trish | October 19th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Looking for October 19th. show re: Stuffed chicken under skin, also with popovers and beets recipes. Thank you
Posted by: Isabel Clark | October 19th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Everything looks yummy and as pretty as a picuture !!! Love the egg cup idea...
Did you catch Eddie Ross on HGTV last night what a great job he did, I know you love Halloween it was a great show !!
Repeat on today's show ??...I actually put aside time to watch today, but I'd already seen it. I don't do repeats, sorry, loved the first airing though amazing home !!!
All the best,
Kathy
Posted by: Kathy :) | October 19th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Gosh, every/all looks beautiful~!!!!! I really learn so much from your blog. Besides freezing/canning/sharing with your many employees, do you donate any of the extra that is left?
Posted by: dadiamond | October 19th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
...eat the whole tart indeed, and basically just eat the lemon curd by the spoonsful! - that'd suit me just fine, as well, Martha! [giggle] (I'm glad there's others out there who enjoy such things - just like me!)
~
You like your baked potatoes served just like I like, too - opened up, with butter and sour cream. I don't know about you, but most times I'll eat the skin, too. They stay moist in the foil and parchment paper...my mama taught me to place a pat of butter on the top of the potato in the foil tent, which then resulted in a moist outcome to the potato in general. It's a foolproof method - one can't go wrong.
~
All of your harvest, Martha, was just beautiful and nurturing - not only for the body, but the soul as well!
~
=^..^=
~
"Half the interest of a garden is in the constant exercise of the imagination."--Mrs C W Earle
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | October 19th, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Wow, nice! It looks like Thanksgiving there already!
Posted by: Alyzabeth | October 19th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Those carrots look amazing!
Posted by: Alexandra | October 19th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Candy corn-colored carrots! How cute!
Posted by: Andrea | October 19th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Loved all of your pics except one. didn't look apptz. Anyway, Tom looks just perfect in the kitchen. He'd be perfect for my single daughter, too. What a mother has to do when you have daughters! Martha, you are truly blessed and we all know you know it because you love to get up in the morning and work the Martha magic.
Posted by: Geo | October 19th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Want the receipe to the pop over rolls that were on the show this morning
Posted by: Gloria | October 19th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Aha! I always wondered who that cute guy was... hehehe
Posted by: Jamie | October 19th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Hi Martha,
Great meeting you this weekend at your book signing. I hope you had fun. I was wondering if you read my children's book I gave you "Hold the Cheese Please! A Story for Children on Lactose Intolerance." I am really hoping you would do another segment of lactose intolerance and children on your show. I would love to be part of it! Hopefully you have reviewed or passed along my Show Topic Idea DVD. Looking forward to hearing from your show soon.
Best,
Dr. Frank J. Sileo
Posted by: Frank J. Sileo, PhD | October 19th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
For Gloria - You can find the popover recipe at marthastewart.com. Enjoy!
Posted by: Martha Stewart | October 19th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Hi Martha,
I've seen twin wild carrots but never such lovely yellow ones! It looked like an amazing meal, do you have pictures of your hike as well?
Posted by: C. | October 19th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Those striped lobster bibs are adorable! Wherever did you find them?
Posted by: Kelly | October 19th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Those are great pictures....the table setting is absolutely beautiful. What a delicious meal you had!
Posted by: Sherry | October 19th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Tom looks adorable, I think you should put him on your TV show!
Posted by: Mario | October 19th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
I live in New York City, and the one thing I miss most is being able to grow my own garden! Although I do try to grow some rosemary in a small pot, it's simply not the same as having your own plot of land with carrots and cabbage!
Posted by: Jessica | October 19th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Hello Martha,
All of your pictures are very colorful and beautiful; enjoyed them very much. The vegetables look so fresh. I also enjoyed your show today on the Skylands house. It certainly has plenty of room for entertaining and relaxing.
It looks so peaceful. The closet that housed the tablecloths with the rolling door was interesting. The outdoor view looked peaceful too. Love your show. Renee
Posted by: Renee | October 19th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
A very fun meal to do! Liked the egg cup for dipping idea.
Posted by: sherey | October 19th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Thomas Joseph? I'm jealous. He is a hottie.
Posted by: alexandra | October 19th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Hi Martha, Oh, Wow! What a delicious, yummy blog! I sure wish I was there to help harvest, cook and taste all of these fantastic things you had for your lovely dinner. Everything looks so delicious. I don't know how you do all of these fabulous things that you do, but I appreciate every bit of it. Thanks again for sharing with all of us who dearly love you. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | October 19th, 2009 at 11:47 pm
I love colourful carrots and purple ones are my favourite!
Posted by: Mixing Bowl Mama | October 20th, 2009 at 10:44 am
I am not postive, but, it does look as if Tom grew a beard during the time he prepared the meal. Maybe it is me---I would have spent enough time for a beard to be fully developed AND that is not because I am so meticulous just because I am so slow.
Posted by: Margie | October 20th, 2009 at 11:56 am
What gorgeous vegetables. Do you really grow artichokes in Maine?? We are still harvesting from our garden, getting the second wind of tomatoes here in Texas...but no carrots.
Posted by: Anita | October 20th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Love the lobster bibs! By any chance is there a pattern for them on your website? My family has a summer cottage in Scarborough, and I'd love to make some personalized bibs for our lobster feasts. Maine is a true gem!
Posted by: Cathy | October 20th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Everything looks so tempting. I am a true believer in a simple foods, it is indeed very comforting and relaxes your stomac and mind (i mean you dont need to think about chemical additive you just ate):) I though never tried white carrots, my mom used to through them away
Posted by: FashionTouch | October 21st, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Maine ~ Lobster ~ Lemon Tart ~ a cute chef in the kitchen~ surely the way life should be!
Posted by: abby jenkins | October 21st, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Dear Martha,
i have a beautiful set of white Wedgewood china. Over the years a yellowish stain has appeared in the crevices of the border. How would you recommend that these stains be removed ? Thank-you.
Joyce Toye-Hartmann
Posted by: joyce Toye Hartmann | November 4th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Martha,
This will also remind you of your home in Maine.
http://www.youtube.com/cameronbonsey#p/a/u/0/wWNNhjLTLFk
An organic potting soil named for Bar Harbor.
Posted by: Cameron Bonsey | November 4th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
WOW!!! What a feast. Those lobsters are so gorgeous and red!!! Any reason you wrap the potatoes in parchment paper AND foil? Never heard that before.
Posted by: Q. | November 16th, 2009 at 11:44 am
What a piece de resistance it must have been! Absolutely irresistible! My favorite!LoL
Posted by: Suri | November 20th, 2009 at 2:03 pm