Spring Ramp Foraging

All images © Valery Rizzo

Every spring my good friend, landscaper, chef, singer and songwriter, Laura Comerford forages for ramps in the deep woods of Connecticut. This year I accompanied her to harvest the ramps, which she just about single handedly harvested while six months pregnant. I have to admit my husband Ivan (drummer in the band) was a big help as well, he learned how to harvest ramps, but unfortunately also brought home an unwanted friend burrowed in his leg, which I luckily managed to pull out easily before any damage was done. Ticks, one of the occupational hazards of ramp harvesting. 

Back in Brooklyn Laura showed me how to clean the ramps and separate the green tops from the bulbs. The green leaves can be sautéed and used very much like spinach, you can see my recipe from a couple years ago here. Laura uses the bulbs to make her Pickled Ramps, which she is known for, you can see that recipe here. This time I made Ramp Dressing with the leaves using the recipe from my collaboration with Chef Camille Becerra (Navy NYC) for Chickpea Magazine, it can be used on top of all sorts of salads.

Brooklyn Photo of The Week / Another Person's Trash

Photo © Valery Rizzo

Another thing I love about Brooklyn are the countless number of things you can find that people have left out for others to take. Sorry for being late to the party but one early morning on my way to the new Brooklyn Whole Foods in Gowanus for my fresh vegetable juice (my bullet had just broke) I was lucky enough to come across a stack of The Art of Eating magazines. Each one beautifully designed, they were new to me and I can't wait to enjoy the food writing inside.

Pure Green Magazine Vol 8 / Welcome Home

All images © Valery Rizzo, photo of Magazine © Pure Green Magazine

Pure Green Magazine Vol 8 / Welcome Home is out and includes a story I shot about Brooklyn Slate Company in Red Hook as well as a glimpse inside the beautiful home of it's creators Sean Tice and Kristy Hadeka.

The issue is now available for preorder at puregreenmag.com/subscribe

Foodieodicals / The Food Book Fair

The Food Book Fair, April 25 -27, Wythe Hotel, Williamsburg, Brooklyn. 
Foodieodicals happening again this Saturday, April 26 12 - 4pm

http://foodbookfair.com/

Ferdinando's Focacceria / Carroll Gardens

All images © Valery Rizzo

Carroll Gardens is a historic neighborhood in Brooklyn, filled with a history of Italian culture. This can especially be seen through all the family run restaurants, bakeries and specialty shops, which have been in business since 1904. Another unique character and a favorite of mine are all the religious statues in the front yards, found while wandering along the side streets. At this time of year especially when we are approaching spring and the celebration of Easter, there is a Good Friday procession not to be missed. I have only seen this performed in Italy and the fact that they still carry on this tradition through the streets of Brooklyn is why I love living here. 

Family owned Ferdinando's opened in 1904 and specializes in authentic Sicilian Cuisine. Originally it started out serving the nearby dock workers of the Red Hook Waterfront. When Ferdinando's son-in-law Francesco Buffa took over the place in 1975 he expanded the place while still leaving all of its old school charm. They are well know for their Panelle Sandwiches, made from fried chickpeas and flour, topped with ricotta and grated cheese, served in a house-made semolina roll. Most locals pair that with a Manhattan Special, a Brooklyn made espresso soda. My personal favorite though is the Arancina, I am perfectly happy just eating one of these baseball size rice balls filled with chopped meat, peas and sauce, topped with ricotta and finished off with sauce and grated cheese. Locals that have left the neighborhood still return to enjoy good food and memories here. Ferdinando's Focacceria, 151 Union Street, Brooklyn, New York. 

Cooking with Whole Grains / Chickpea Vegan Quarterly

All images © Valery Rizzo, cover photo Cara Livermore.

The Beautiful Spring Issue of Chickpea Magazine is out! Chickpea's Editor, Designer and Photographer Cara Livermore is such a talent and was a pleasure to work with.

Included in the issue is a collaboration I worked on with NYC Chef, Camille Becerra on a story about cooking whole grains. The shoot was also styled using gorgeous handmade ceramics from brooklyn makers CLAM LAB and Helen Levi, with all the grains sourced locally from the Park Slope Coop. I also included in this post some of my other favorite shots from the shoot.

Written by Chef Camille Becerra

Photographs by Valery Rizzo

Food Styling Camille Becerra

Prop Styling Valery Rizzo

Ceramics by CLAM LAB and Helen Levi

Pick up or order a copy for these and other amazing recipes included in the Spring Issue. Visit the Chickpea Magazine website for information about Digital Issues, Print Issues, Subscriptions or Stockists around the country where you can purchase a copy.

In and Around Brooklyn / Winter iPhone

All images © Valery Rizzo

1. The best thing to do on a grey snowy day, stay in and read.

2. Steamed chicken with peas and fresh mint.

3. Avenue U, Salt Marsh, Marine Park, Brooklyn.

4. Christmas trees from Vermont at the Park Slope Food Coop.

5. Four & Twenty Blackbirds Salted Honey Pie, Gowanus, Brooklyn.

6. Making apple pie with Chef Camille Becerra at New Amsterdam Market.

7. Black walnuts from Vermont found at New Amsterdam Market.

8. Making chocolate chip biscotti with brown sugar and semi-sweet chips.

9. The original Mike's Sharpening since 1941.

10. Italian cheesecake made with Ricotta from Savarese.

11. Chinese Lunar New Year aftermath, Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

12. Lion Dance Troupe, Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

13. Silly string wars, Chinese New Year, Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

14. More silly string fun.

15. Chinatown, Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

16. Street merchants, Chinatown, Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

17. Silly string and firecrackers.

18. Raw honey, speck and brie.

19. Brooklyn band, Sunset Victim playing at The Fifth Estate, Park Slope, Brooklyn.

20. Shooting Brooklyn Slate Co. for Pure Green Magazine.

21. Gorgeous flower seeds for my garden this year from the Hudson Valley Seed Library, found at the Park Slope Food Coop. 

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