We
are now so close to the start of Finger Lakes Cider Week! I can
almost taste it. But, I thought it might be nice to highlight a few
events that are especially welcoming to vegetarians. I eat a
plant-based diet, so I'm partly being selfish and planning out a few
of my own RSVPs for the week. Some folks love love love pork with
cider, but they will have no trouble finding exciting meals for that
classic combo, but this list is for those of us who look beyond that
into vegetable and cider pairings.
The
number one event for food variety will be Apple Harvest Festival in
Ithaca.
This
event runs Friday September 30th through Sunday October
2nd on the commons in downtown Ithaca. You can find out
about all of the activities and vendors at the website:
There's
not one set of cider and food pairings but you can fantastic food
from more than a dozen places, much of it vegetarian and several
local cider places will be sampling and selling cider too.
The
next event I want to highligh for vegetable lovers is the Tap
Takeover at Moosewood Restaurant. The taps will feature South
Hill Cider, Black Diamond Cider, and 1911 cider as well as the
classic rotating menu that has made Moosewood famous since the 70s.
Here's
a link to Moosewood's page about the restaurant:
http://www.moosewoodcooks.com/restaurant/
and
to the Facebook event for the tap takeover:
5
Days 5 Courses at Agava in Ithaca
Starting
this Sunday at Agava, there will be a 5 course tasting menu including
vegetarian options and local cider. I know South Hill Cider will be
featured, but I have a feeling that other local cideries will be
available as well. I do the cider week tasting menu every year at
Agava and I've never been disappointed
Facebook
event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/214101639006133/
Cider
Menu at Taverna Banfi in Ithaca
I
called the restaurant to find out if this week's special menu could
be vegetarian friendly and I was assured that all off the special
even menus at Taverna Banfi include vegetarian options and that this
week will be no exception.
Facebook
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/172553043184235/
Cider
Pairing Dinner featuring South Hill Cider at Nortstar House in Ithaca
This
is another restaurant I called, and I'm glad I did because of the
enthusiastic response! I love Northstar House and they tend to be
very vegetable-centric and inclusive of vegetarians. This dinner will
be multiple courses featuring different ciders from South Hill Cider
and delicious dishes by their chef.
Finger Lakes Cider House Presents: Cider + Cheese Saturday on Saturday, October 8th, 11:00am – 6:00pm at Finger Lakes Cider House, 4017 Hickock Rd. Interlaken, NY 14847
They
are celebrating the magnificent pairing that is cheese and cider with
area cideries and creameries in to offer you cider and cheeses paired
up for your tasting enjoyment from more producers than you can
imagine.
Event
page:
http://www.ciderweekflx.com/event/finger-lakes-cider-house-presents-cider-cheese-saturday/
Cider + Cheese Saturday at Engelbert Farms on Saturday, October 8th, 10:00am-5:00pm at 182 Sunnyside Rd, Nichols, NY 13812
There
will be free farm tours (weather permitting) from 11 to 4 on each
hour. Free samples of Engelbert’s organic cheeses and smoked
sausages will be available all day. Certified organic cheeses –
cheddars, goudas, feta, moochego and moovache, as well as farm-raised
certified organic meats and some winter vegetables will be available
for purchase in the farm store. Here are the cideries that will be
represented on the farm for the day: Eve’s
Cidery
and Good
Life Farm!
Cheese + Cider Saturday at Blackduck Cidery Saturday, October 8th, 10:00am – 5:00pm at 3046 Co Rd 138, Ovid, NY 14521.
This event will feature Crosswinds Creamery at Blackduck Cidery for cheese & cider tastings and pairings. Visitors can enjoy cider and family fun at the Candor Farm Festival. There will be barn tours, goat milk NY state made products, Eve's Cidery cider, and demonstrations of Atlatl (for those who don't know that's a specific type of ancient spear throwing). Just be sure to finish up your spear throwing before you settle in for some cider!
One
last cheese and cider pairing-
Orchard Tour & Tasting at Redbyrd Orchard Cider on October 9th, tours at 11:00am and 1:00pm at 4491 Reynolds Rd, Trumansburg, NY 14886
At
this event you can join orchardists and cider makers for a tour of
their biodynamic orchard and learn more about what goes into each
bottle of Redbyrd
Orchard Cider by seeing the
trees, sheep, geese, and family. Orchard walking tour beginning at
1pm and ending with a lovely apple, cheese, and Redbyrd Orchard Cider
tasting. I've been told that this event is rain or shine.
These
should be enough exciting activities to keep every vegetarian well
entertained and well fed!
