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MECKLENBURG COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
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STAY CONNECTED!
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Featured Article
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New Mecklenburg Cooperative Extension director named
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| Nelson McCaskill, County Extension Director |
A long-time North Carolina Cooperative Extension 4-H agent in Iredell County has been named to lead the Cooperative Extension program in Mecklenburg County.
Nelson McCaskill is the new Mecklenburg Cooperative Extension director. McCaskill's appointment as Mecklenburg extension director was announced by Sheri Schwab, associate director and director of county operations for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service at North Carolina State University, and Michael Kirschman, Deputy Director, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department. He succeeds Robbie Furr, who was named to direct the Cooperative Extension program in Cabarrus County. Read more
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The Farm Fresh Table
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Butternut Apple and Curry Coconut Bisque
by Kristin Davis, Extension Agent
Fall is my favorite season! The thoughts of warm soups and holiday gatherings with family evoke a feeling of warmth and thanksgiving. Among my favorite cold season veggies is butternut squash. Recently, while visiting the farmers market, I picked up two small butternut squash with an intention to create a variation of a soup that I tasted recently at a friend's home. After around one hour in the kitchen, I arrived at a great butternut bisque with a tasty combination of savory and sweet. I'd love to hear your feedback. Let me know if you give the recipe a try!
Ingredients
5 cups of butternut squash, peeled and cubed (seeds discarded)
1 large onion, diced
2 cups of apples, peeled and cubed
I used Jazz variety since I had them on hand.
2 cups of vegetable broth
3/4 can of light coconut milk
1 1/2 tablespoons of curry powder
Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper, to taste
Procedure:
- Over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a pan. Add diced onion and saute until tender.
- Add one tablespoon of curry powder to onions and mix well for 30 seconds.
- Add one tablespoon of olive oil to pan. Add squash and saute for one minute.
- Add vegetable broth to pan and bring to a steady simmer.
- Add apples, 1/2 tablespoon of curry powder and stir. Cover and simmer on medium-low heat until squash and apples are tender. Contents should break easily with a spoon when done.
- When contents are tender, remove from heat and cool for 15 minutes.
- Add 1/4 cup of light coconut milk. Using handheld immersion blender, puree until smooth. If you do not have an immersion blender, feel free to use a regular blender.
- Add remaining coconut milk and blend until mixed well.
- Garnish with sliced apples or fresh herbs, serve warm and enjoy!
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Food Safety Update
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Holiday Food Safety
Source: U. S. Food & Drug Administration
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| Holiday Food Safety |
"Tis the season of giving and sharing! During this time of year, many families will spend hours in the kitchen preparing meals. It is important to maintain proper food safety practices in efforts to keep your family safe. Check out the great video with helpful information on food safety tips for the holiday.
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Sensible Snacks for Holiday Travel
By Kristin Davis, Extension Agent
 Road trip! What better way to kick off the holiday season, than a long distant drive with the family in tow? When traveling long distances, it is important to pack snacks that not only feed your hunger, but provide fuel via protein, healthy carbohydrates and fiber. Try these great tips from our friends at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for road trips and distance travel.
- Choose grab-and-go options: Unsalted nuts, dried fruits, pre-cut raw veggies, whole wheat pretzels and crackers, and plain popcorn are great options.
- Pre-portion snacks: You can divide larger bags of snacks into snack-size storage bags to manage portions.
- Bring along a cooler for fresh snacks: Coolers are great for storing snacks that need to remain cool such as low-fat yogurts, low-fat cheeses, hummus dips and deli-meat sandwiches. Use ice packs to assure that temperature remains below 40°F inside the cooler.
- Stay hydrated: Water is essential to maintain hydration for you and your family during travel. Keeping water on hand will curb resistance to purchase unhealthy options during fueling stops.
Safe travels!
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Support Local Food! NC 10% Campaign
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| www.NC10Percent.Com |
COUNTY-WIDE CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
Here's where we are so far in Mecklenburg County:
469 participating Individuals and 32 Businesses, Non-Profits and Civic Groups have spent $206,198 on local food and saved $11,862 by growing their own food.
Great job Mecklenburg!
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MECKLENBURG COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCES PROGRAM
Contacts:
Local Foods & Farmers Market Outreach
Kristin_Davis@ncsu.edu
Adult Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program
Ph: 704.336.2082
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Help us to enhance educational programming in our community!
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The purpose of the Mecklenburg County Family and Consumer Sciences Enhancement Fund is to provide funding that will sustain and enhance educational programming regarding local foods, food safety, home food preservation and food preparation programming in Mecklenburg County. Donations are tax-deductible.
Online:
Please enter "Mecklenburg County Family and Consumer Sciences Fund (011435)" as the fund name to designate donation.
Check by mail:
Make checks payable to Mecklenburg County FCS Enhancement Fund.
Mail to:
Attn: Kristin Davis
Mecklenburg Extension
1418 Armory Dr.
Charlotte, NC 28204
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