Excerpt
Introduction -- 1
Spring
1. On settling in and making maple -- 9
2. On snapping turtles and strawberries -- 18
3. On asparagus and the all-too-brief window -- 30
4. On early beets and solar hoop houses -- 37
5. On chooks and coffee -- 49
6. On spring lamb and the butcher’s headaches -- 62
Summer
7. On springing heifers and well-made cheese -- 79
8. On fireflies, sweet cherries, and the hissing kettle -- 95
9. On wild-crafting, bartering, and the very warm hat -- 105
10. On dog days, a new arrival, and heretical thinking -- 113
11. On cicadas, sweet corn, and the pleasure of a job well done -- 127
Fall
12. On the traitorous sumac, seeking warmth, and the plentiful pantry -- 145
13. On cider, cornmeal, and comfort -- 158
14. On pumpkins, pears, and woolly bears -- 175
15. On Thanksgiving and the local table -- 186
16. On making something from nothing, or the value of kitchen wizardry -- 194
Winter
17. On chilly winds and homey contentment -- 209
18. On blizzards and dried beans -- 220
19. On intoxicating aromas and the world outside my door -- 231
20. On deep snow, bitter nights, and newfound wealth -- 240
Afterword -- 249
Acknowledgments -- 251
Appendix: How to Can -- 253
Measurement Conversion Charts -- 256
About the Author -- 257
Index -- 258