Preserved and Pickled

06/10/2026

Nearing the end of Shad Season.

Leaving their home in Atlantic waters, schools of shad begin a long ascent up the Connecticut River to spawn in late March, just as spring waters begin to warm to about 50 degrees. The spawning season lasts until June, when the fish make their way back to the coast. From Old Saybrook to the Holyoke,...

06/10/2026

Would you agree?

Bamboo and h**p are quietly becoming the answer to a lot of problems we've been trying to solve. They grow fast, need minimal inputs, and thrive in places where other crops struggle. That matters when you're thinking about land use and sustainability.

What's striking is the sheer range of what they can become. Over 50,000 products pull from these two plants alone. Textiles, building materials, fuel, packaging—things we currently source from petroleum, forests, and coal. The substitution isn't theoretical either. It's happening in factories right now.

The job creation piece gets overlooked sometimes. Growing, processing, and manufacturing these crops actually employs people in ways that oil extraction and industrial logging don't compare to. That's real economic benefit tied to regenerative practice.

Neither plant is a magic fix for everything. But as part of a broader shift toward renewable resources, they're genuinely useful. They work with what the land can actually provide instead of against it.

06/10/2026

Hot or Cold Meloves Metea!

Happy National Iced Tea Day! 🍋 Adding a slice of lemon or orange is a delicious, refreshing way to add a twist to your tea today. This recipe calls for oranges and fresh mint! Yum! Almanac.com/recipe/dog-days-iced-tea

06/10/2026

Love Me a Cuppa....

A warm cup of herbal tea can be a simple way to slow down, reset, and give your body a little support on stressful days.

This blend uses lemon balm and holy basil, also known as tulsi, two herbs traditionally used for calming support, stress, tension, and those moments when your brain feels like it has twenty tabs open.

Lemon balm is a gentle, lemony member of the mint family. It is often used to support relaxation, mild nervous tension, mood, and restful sleep. It has a bright, soothing flavor that makes it perfect for an evening tea or a quiet afternoon reset.

Holy basil, or tulsi, is known as an adaptogenic herb, meaning it may help the body better handle stress. It has been traditionally used for stress support, mental clarity, emotional balance, and overall resilience.

What you need:

1 teaspoon dried lemon balm leaves
1 teaspoon dried holy basil, also called tulsi, leaves
8 oz hot water
1 to 2 teaspoons honey or agave syrup, optional

How to make it:

Add the lemon balm and tulsi to a mug or tea infuser. Pour hot water over the herbs, cover, and steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain, sweeten if desired, and sip slowly.

Tulsi: https://amzn.to/4e7HXEB
Lemon balm: https://amzn.to/4oetbiw

⚠️Safety note: Lemon balm may cause drowsiness for some people and should be used with caution with sedatives or thyroid medication. Holy basil, also called tulsi, may affect blood sugar or blood clotting and is usually avoided during pregnancy, nursing, or when trying to conceive unless cleared by a healthcare provider.

06/10/2026

06/10/2026

Pirate Guacamole!!

06/10/2026

06/10/2026

06/10/2026

This is one of those drinks that looks fancy, tastes refreshing, and does not require you to act like you graduated from beverage school.

The cherries give it that beautiful fruity flavor, the ginger adds a little warm bite, and the tea keeps it from being overly sweet. Serve it over ice and suddenly you look like you had a whole plan.

What You Need:

4 cups water
4 black tea bags or green tea bags
1 cup pitted cherries, fresh or frozen
1 to 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, sliced
2 to 4 tablespoons honey, maple syrup, or sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Ice
Extra cherries for serving, optional

Method:

Add the water, cherries, and sliced ginger to a pot. Bring it to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes.

Use the back of a spoon to mash the cherries a little while they simmer. We are not being delicate here. We want that cherry flavor to show up.

Turn off the heat and add the tea bags. Let them steep for about 5 minutes, then remove them.

Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer. Press the cherries a bit to get all that good juice out, because wasting flavor is not the plan.

While the tea is still warm, stir in your honey, maple syrup, or sugar. Add the lemon juice and mix well.

Let it cool, then refrigerate until chilled.

Serve over ice with extra cherries if you want it to look cute and like you had your life together that day.

Notes From the Kitchen:

If you like a stronger ginger kick, let the ginger simmer a few extra minutes.

If you like it sweeter, add more sweetener. Taste as you go, because cherries can be sweet or tart depending on their mood.

Fresh or frozen cherries both work. No need to make this harder than it needs to be.

For a fizzy version, fill your glass halfway with the tea and top it with sparkling water.

This is also great made ahead and kept in the fridge, because it tastes better once it has had time to mind its business and chill.

06/10/2026

Crostini with Whipped Ricotta, Roasted Strawberries, Hot Honey, Walnut, and Fresh Thyme

Ingredients:

For the Crostini:

1 baguette, sliced into 16 pieces
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
For the Whipped Ricotta and Roasted Strawberries:
1 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
1 tbsp heavy cream
2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
1 tbsp honey