Features

WHAT ARE THESE BOOTS MADE FOR?

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In Boston, there are many signs of Spring. 

People training for the Marathon.

Spring Training in Florida.

And the Walk for Hunger.

This year, I can’t predict who will win the big race and where the Sox will place, but I can tell you for sure that, on May 4, thousands of people will gather to walk three miles starting at Boston Common to raise funds and awareness for Project Bread.

Over the past 56 years, the Walk has raised millions and hopes to raise over $1 million this year alone to support Project Bread and its affiliates as they strive to stave off food insecurity in Massachusetts and to allow every citizen to enjoy healthy meals.

And it’s never been easier to be involved!

Walkers can form teams or are welcome to come alone and contribute to the community of caring. 

If you are already involved in another food-sharing organization (like I am with TheWishDishProject.com), you can participate in Project Bread’s co-fundraising program, The Commonwealth. 

If downtown Boston is not convenient for you, you can set up an alternate route in your neighborhood or anywhere you like to walk with the Walk Your Own Way program.

Even if you can’t walk, you can donate to Project Bread or become involved in other ways by visiting  projectbread.org/walk.

Spring is a time of renewal and growth. Make the Walk for Hunger part of your annual ritual to help others grow and renew as well.

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A COOKBOOK THAT WON’T LEAVE YOU FLAT

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I recently had the pleasure of interviewing historian and chef Hélène Piñer for the online publication Jewish Unpacked and, as her latest book is a cookbook and as Passover is coming, I wanted to share it with you all as well!

As a professor of Medieval French and Spanish history, Piñer has become an expert on Sephardic Jews from the Iberian Peninsula. Seeing food as a means to track people and cultures through time and place, she has created a series of books that focus on this ancient population. In addition to such international favorites as shakshuka and shug, the Sephardic Jews also apparently have a heavy hand in the history of the famous food that is highlighted not only at Passover but at every Catholic Mass- matzah!

In Matzah and Flour: Recipes from the History of the Sephardic Jews, Piñer looks at the various forms of flour that have been traditionally used when leavening was not allowed and the delicious and historic creations that have resulted. While the unleavened bread of Passover is the root of the story, Piñer offers recipes that use this simple but complicated cake to make meals that work well at any time of year. In the process, she also explores and engages readers in the deeper meanings of what is traditionally called the “bread of affliction” and how food can be a symbol of freedom and a sustainer of not only the individual but society as well.

In addition to the traditional Passover plates like lechem oni (“poor man’s bread”) and sweet and savory matzah-based recipes, the book also offers such Passover pleasers as unleavened tortillas, empanadas, burnt cheesecake, and Passover shortbread. And while the base of the Iberian-inspired book is matzah, it also offers recipes from other places and for other holidays, such as an Egyptian hummus, orange and raisin donuts, “Jewish” marzipan, and a well-named dish called the bread of the seven heavens. 

Whether you trace your roots back to Spain or the Mayflower, the story of Passover is a universal tale of overcoming oppression and celebrating through food. If you need a guide, I can think of few better than Hélène Piñer and this amazing new book!

www.academicstudiespress.com/

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SWEET FREEDOM

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While Passover may best be known as a story of slavery, there is a sweetness and sustenance to the Spring holiday that help keep more people participating than in any other Jewish holiday.

In an effort to up the ante, chocolatier Sarah Shapiro of Wild Child Chocolate in Somerville has combined her passion for single-origin chocolate with her Jewish roots to come up with a series of culinary questions that are as delicious as they are provocative.Based on the famous four questions that are for many an anchor of the observance of Passover, Shapiro has created a quartet of candies that encourage those who enjoy them to pose further questions about the people and relationships that are involved in their production and consumption and to make sure that the people involved are free to produce and procure them without anyone feeling enslaved or insulted.The four bars (which Shapiro maintains are the only small batch, Orthodox-certified Kosher chocolates made in the Northeast if not the country!) are all made with single-origin chocolates that are ethically-sourced. As they are all made with only three ingredients (cacao beans, cocoa butter, and sugar), they allow even the flavor of each bean to roam free. And as they are available as a set of tasting squares or larger bars, they can be enjoyed alone, at a family seder, or with groups of any size at any time of year.For those who want to be guided through the process (just as they may be at a seder), Shapiro also offers tasting experiences at her new Davis Square location, where guests can also enjoy her adventurous truffles made with such surprising ingredients as olive oil, curried peanuts, lapsang tea, and coffee and bourbon, and drinking chocolates enhanced with lavender, orange, wasabi, ginger, and even mole spices.Whether you ask the four questions at Passover or just want to know where to get the best locally-made chocolate, Wild Child Chocolate is a great place to find the answers.

SNAKES and SCULLERS

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It’s March, which means Mardi Gras is coming. And ‘round Boston, that means two things- Shaun Wortis’ Mardi Gras party is in the works and the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble will be on the move.

While I wait for Shaun’s latest hootenanny, I am looking forward to going to Scullers Jazz Club on March 1 to catch the Ensemble at a special Mardi Gras dinner party that is sure to bring the Bayou to Boston.

Especially as this is the year of the Snake, a Snake Ensemble show is all the more appropriate and fortuitous and they are always fun as all heck. This year, the Ensemble will be joined by local Jazz legend Jason Palmer and New Orleans native Henri Smith at both the 7 and 9 PM performances, so y’all can come.

And while any Snake show is worth the trip, the Scullers shows can also include a delicious Mardi Gras-themed dinner featuring flavors fresh from N’awlins.

While Snake Ensemble shows are always extra special, any night at Scullers is a reason to party!

In addition to some of the hottest names in local, national, and international Jazz (including Michael Weiss March 15, a weekend with Gerald Albright April 11 and 12, and a special 7 PM show with Joe Locke April 25), Scullers also offers packages that include dinner and even discounted hospitality at the DoubleTree Hotel.

Speaking of dinner, Scullers offers such jazzy flavors as roasted butternut squash soup with pea beans, whole milk burrata with roasted tomatoes, a traditional lobster roll, a baked salmon bowl with real Vermont maple, a pulled pork sandwich with onions braised in Jack’s Abby beer, and of course, DoubleTree’s legendary chocolate chip cookies.

Mardi Gras is a time to shake off your woes and let it all hang out before buckling down for Lent and preparing for a productive Spring.

I hope to see you shakin’ what the Lord gave ya’ at Scullers!

POP GOES THE PARTY

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For years, we’ve talked about the Boston International Wine & Food Festival at the Boston Harbor Hotel and the Boston Wine Expo.

And while those are both amazing, I’m excited to pop the cork on a new wine event in Boston.

On Saturday, February 15 from 6 to 10 PM, the national sensation known as Uncorked Wine Festivals will premiere at the SoWa Power Station in Boston’s South End.

Featuring over 100 wines and bubblies from around the world. Uncorked will also offer DJ-directed dancing and food trucks that will have a flavor for every sip you savor.

For the braver oenophiles, there will be a blind tasting bar where you can try your taste buds and find new faves amongst seasoned swirlers and amateur aerators.

VIP tickets cost $110 and include access to all four hours of the event plus exclusive access to an upstairs lounge that will offer premium tastings, pairings, and other special treats. For those who want a taste of special access, early admission tickets are $85 and include all four hours of festivities and some exclusive pours for the first hour. General admission starts at 7 PM and includes more than 100 wines for only $70.

For the ultimate, oenophilic experience, Uncorked has an app that you can download at https://uncorkedwinefestivals.com that will allow you to keep track of all of your new favorite wines and get info about the food vendors that might not even be available on Matt’s Meals!

Whether you’re a wine aficionado or just looking for something fun to do to keep the Valentine’s Day vibe bubbling, check out the Uncorked Wine Festival and help start a new Boston tradition.

SALUTE!

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There is not much better than an amazing meal at Prezza in Boston’s legendary North End. And there are a few better ways to wash down your favorite flavors than with a great Italian wine.

Perhaps that is why owner Anthony Cutarano has arranged a Great Wines of Italy dinner at Prezza on January 21 at 6:30.

At this specially-priced, five-course meal, guests will enjoy such creative delights as Mediterranean prawns with Calabrian chili, seared scallops with lobster butter, duck confit with mushrooms and a tomato veal stock, parmesan polenta, grilled sirloin and veal chops, and a pistachio sundae with mango sorbet. And while the delicious dessert will surely end the meal with a flourish, the fact that every other course is being paired with some of Italy’s most beloved wines will make this meal truly special!

From a 2023 Ca’Marcanda Vistamare to a 2020 Gaja Barolo and 2018 Sesti Brunello di Montalcino, Caturano is pulling out all the stops and a bunch of great corks to celebrate his Italian heritage and the flavors that have inspired him and his guests for so many years.

If you are not able to snag a table on the 21st, rest assured that any night at Prezza is a treat! From their trend setting antipasto board and ravioli di Uovo to their famed crispy shrimp with Italian slaw, wood-grilled venison, branzino, and their freshly-caught squid and octopus medley, lobster-loaded fish stew, and of course, handmade pastas topped with everything from duck to veal to saffron and shrimp, Prezza combines traditional, Italian favorites with creative combinations of fresh ingredients and flavors that make it a great place to bring family friends or just to drop by to see what’s new on the menu. 

And if you can’t decide on just one thing, Prezza recently brought back their petite portion menu, featuring oysters, tuna, tartare, and their famous gourmet meatballs, offering everyone plenty of options to make their own tasting menu or a lighter meal or snack.

Molto bene!         

EVERYONE’S INVITED!

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Many times when chefs try to combine cultures and flavors, something falls flat.

At the Watertown eatery named Nzuko, however, the curated combination of Haitian-Caribbean and Mediterranean flavors is pretty spot on!

From conch fritters and plantains to hummus, grape leaves, and two types of falafel and meze boards that combine influences from both regions, Nzuko’s Chef-owner (and former social worker) Laurette Ndukwe and her Persian partners combine real, fresh, healthy ingredients in a menu at Nzuko that is varied enough to allow for new discoveries each time you visit but not so much that the core competencies become blurred. From the giant spiced lamb shank to the multiple varieties of fresh fish topped and infused with international spices to an entire menu of kebabs and delicious desserts like the passion fruit Basque cheesecake and pistachio loukoumades, each course is an international adventure that will not leave you feeling lost.

In an effort to expand their repertoire and their culinary community, Nzuko is expanding their celebration of African-American Heritage Month to include all of the communities and cultures that make this region and this nation so rich. In addition to adding new items to the menu like a crispy duck, the kitchen team at Nzuko will be enhanced by other area chefs who will bring their own flavor and flair. One high point is sure to be a gumbo cook-off that will include both traditional and vegan varieties. However, pretty much everything on the menu is the best at what it can be and a visit to Nzuko is always a culinary adventure you will be glad you took.

FUN, FANTASTIC, AND FLEXIBLE

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It has been a bit since I raved about Neroli Italian restaurant and market in Westwood, but they have so much going on, I just had to update people!

As a family-owned establishment, Neroli prides itself not only on family-inspired recipes and friendly, comfortable service, but also on offering something for everyone.

As January is a time to eschew alcohol for many, Neroli is currently offering a number of booze-less beverages in addition to their full bar and world-wide wine list, including an espress-no martini that has all the flavor and fun without the guilt.

Speaking of flavor and fun, Neroli is also making it more appealing for people who cannot enjoy alcohol ever to come by offering free kids meals throughout the month as well.

If you don’t have kids yet, you may be able to head that way if you are lucky enough to grab a table when the incomparable Winiker Brothers perform at Neroli February 13 and March 20, but the most romance-friendly offering may be their three-night Valentine’s Weekend Extravaganza!

That’s right! Realizing that many of even their most devoted fans (including yours truly) are busy on weekends, Neroli will be offering a special Valentine’s Day dinner not just on the day itself but also on the days before and after, making it easier to fit not only delicious food but also romance into your schedule and your life.

Be sure to check out http://neroliitalian.com soon (and often) to see what else they have in store and be sure to drop by their store for fresh Italian food and drink any time of day.

CRAFT-ING WINTER FUN

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As even Amazon has recently demanded that their staff work from the office, you know its time to rethink office culture!

Fortunately, a growing set of area offices have been blessed with the addition of Craft Food Halls- a revolutionary concept in corporate catering that offers not only signature food systems like Project X Pizza, Sousviderie, and Vessel, but an amazing wall of pay-what-you-drink beer and wine and also games, big screens, work spaces, and other accoutrements that make returning to work something to look forward to!

And the best part is- they’re open to the public!

On February 15 from 6-8PM, Craft Food Hall at City Point in Waltham will host its Winter Festival, featuring a tap takeover by Sam Adams and samplings of the latest delicious distillations by Bully Boy Distillers. The after-work event will also offer live music from the Soul Roots Ramblers, a Winter Bazaar Market that will feature local artisans, and an indoor cornhole tournament that will surely heat up a cold winter’s night and give the Waltham working community a reason to stay late and party hard and for others from far and wide to come see all they get to enjoy on a daily basis.

There is also a Salsa Night scheduled for the Hall at 200 Fifth Street in Waltham on January 24 from 6:30 to 8:30, live Blues with The Gravel Project Sundays from 1-4 PM at Revolution Hall in Lexington, and other great music and events at their other 10 locations. To see the latest offerings, check out http://craftfoodhalls.com.

With all of its great food and fun, the Hall is always a great place to drop by for a meal, a meeting, or just to hang out with the folks that make the workplace work.

WASSAIL YOU HAVE?

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As someone who primarily celebrates Hanukkah, I’ve always been fascinated with the traditions around Christmas, Kwanzaa, and other winter time festivals

One which has particularly perplexed me is the tradition of Wassailing.

I’ve thought about it since I was in elementary school chorus, but never quite knew what it was.

Fortunately, my friends at Champlain Orchards have offered an answer.

Not only that, they’ve even offered an invitation!

On Sunday, February 23 from 3 to 6 Champlain will be hosting a Wassail celebration at their Orchard in Shoreham, Vermont.

As it turns out, this is rather appropriate, as wassailing is an English tradition in which people sing to apple trees to scare off evil spirits and to bless them for the forthcoming season.

As a huge cider fan, I can tell you that few orchards have trees more blessed than Champlain!

Whether you enjoy their products in fruit form or pressed and fermented, Champlain offers flavors that are truly worth singing about, including such favorites as the dry- hopped Citra, unfiltered Kingston, single varietal Honeycrisp, Spanish-inspired Sidria, and Mac and Maple, which is like Vermont in a can.

And as they donate a quarter pound of apples for every four pack of cider that is purchased even more people are able to celebrate and look forward to another season.

Whether or not you can make it to the orchard, check out https://champlainorchards.com and find out what all the wassailing is about.