Chief of Operations writes: Visitors entering our evaporator room during boiling hours are immediately confronted by the roaring evaporator that commands their attention. As the initial shock of voraciously steaming pans subsides, the observant begin to notice a few other points of interest in this room. High on the north wall over the woodshed doors… Read More
April 1 Hill Report: Using the Ears
Ace woodsman Larry Lackey writes: The vacuum pressure in the main lines, as indicated by the gauge in the sap shed, last week slipped about 1 ½ inches mercury last week, after holding steady for two weeks. The drop was not unexpected. Freeze/thaw cycles can nudge taps out of trees. Critters with sharp teeth –… Read More
50 Years to the Month Now
One recent Saturday morning, Scott came by the sugarhouse with his granddaughter, Tena, to pick up a couple of gallons of Golden Delicate (formerly Fancy) syrup, the grade his family selects year after year. Scott sat down on the gold bench and reminisced while Tena silently scrambled on and off his lap. “Would you be… Read More
Recharge
A Tanka for March 22 Sun warming one cheek,A wind chilling the other,Earmarks of a run.The maple buds are still tight;Mud season is not over. A Tanka for March 29 Brrrr, winter is back,Frost is winning over sun,Mud ruts are frozen.Two days of this are welcome;It means at least one more run. WEATHER: After the… Read More
Northern Tacos
MTL writes: FOR THE SWEET POTATOES 2 tablespoons miso paste2 tablespoons maple syrup2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar2 medium sweet potatoes, unpeeled and choppedOlive oil TACO FILLING OPTIONS *Corn tortillas – warmed*Avocado sliced*Maple pickled red onion (see below)*Cilantro*Black Beans – warmed*Cabbage*Toasted Pepitas*Cotijo Cheese*Lime juice *Add or omit to your liking Directions: Heat oven to 400. Whisk… Read More
Notes from a blur of a week
We’re doing that different now, he announced. She could smell from outside that the syrup had dropped grade.Everyone is saying it’s the worst mud season in a long, long time.Forty degrees feels chilly after two days of sixty.Now we scrub the niter off the hydrometer cup during evening cleanup. Until this week we soaked the… Read More
Irish Soda Bread for Saint Paddy’s Day
Maple Trout Lilli writes: WHOLE WHEAT HERBED IRISH SODA BREAD In anticipation of Saint Paddy’s Day this Thursday, I thought I would share my favorite, non-traditional, soda bread recipe. It’s hearty and sweetened with just a wee bit of maple sugar. The herbs add a distinct flavor and go really well with soft cheese and/or butter (of… Read More
The week behind, the week ahead
THE WEEK BEHIND: Last Monday, March 7th, the forecast of freezing nights and above-freezing days looked favorable for sap runs. In fact, we got a few mediocre late afternoon runs. The sap ran all night Friday into Saturday when winter descended with cold and nearly a foot of snow. BOILING STATUS: We boiled Monday the… Read More
The Percy Arch
Chief of Operations writes: Thank You, Paul With the tragic loss of the historic Percy barn and all the cows within, it’s my time to chime in with appreciation for all the Percys have done to keep agriculture alive in the Stowe area. It was the fall of 1976 and I was hellbent to do… Read More
Tropical Pineapple Coconut Muffins
Food correspondent Maple Trout Lilli writes: TROPICAL PINEAPPLE COCONUT MUFFINS As we begin to think about warmer weather (sugaring season always makes me feel this way) these pineapple coconut muffins caught my eye. Three years ago, I posted a recipe for Super Hero Muffins. I was gifted with a book containing a slew of new… Read More
The Nebraska Knoll Blog 