Behold the Celery Root

Lots of customers ask us about celery root. When I tell them the true name is celeriac, they're sure I'm talking about Aunt Ethel's malady. And when I point them in the direction of celery root, they decide I've found something that fell off the nose of the Wicked Witch. Yes, if there's such a thing as Ugli Fruit, its stepsister must be Ugly Vegetable, aka celeriac.
Celeriac is a root vegetable, somewhat related to carrots and parsnips. It actually is the root of a variety of celery and has been refined over time into the big, lumpy root balls you'll find at Daisy Mae's at Findlay Market. Cut the thick skin off with a paring knife, and you'll find a white, creamy flesh that tastes a little like celery and a little like parsley. This white flesh can be shredded or chopped and eaten raw in salads, or stewed, roasted, simmered, or fried as an alternative to potatoes.
Because celeriac is a root vegetable, it generally starts appearing in stores and recipes as we approach winter. It stores well, tastes great when combined with other vegetables, is high in fiber and potassium and low in calories, and can add a unique flavor to common dishes. Trust me on this--Beauty is only skin deep.

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati: This Week and Every Week in Over-the-Rhine

Sprechen Sie Deutsch? Maybe not, but whether or not you speak German, you can enjoy celebrating during Oktoberfest season in Cincinnati. Who doesn't enjoy spending the day with good friends, fine food, and a cold beer? The Germans call it "Gemütlichkeit," a word that describes a feeling of comfort and acceptance that may not have an exact English translation, but a word that is easy to understand once you experience it. This weekend is Cincinnati's Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, the largest Oktoberfest held in the United States. Over a half million visitors will stroll the six block area around Fountain Square while munching on pretzels and sausages.
If huge celebrations aren't your style, we celebrate our German heritage regularly at historic Findlay Market. We're in the heart of Over-the-Rhine, the area where thousands of Germans immigrated in the mid-to-late 1800's. Many of our shop owners are of German descent and feature products like sausage, cheese, and sauerkraut. Our neighborhood features several local breweries, and our OTR Biergarten is operated on weekends by volunteers from the OTR Brewery District. So when you've had enough of your busy life, come share some Gemütlichkeit with us at Findlay Market. We've got fine food and cold beer, and we think you'll get that "feeling of comfort and acceptance." Alles is gut bei Findlay Market.

Best Fruit Snack Ever!

Here's the simplest and best way to use fresh fruit as a snack. You'll need 1 apple, 1 orange, and 1 lemon. I like to use a crisp red apple like a gala, but a Granny Smith is great, too, and gives that extra burst of tartness. Squeeze the juice from your orange and lemon into a small bowl and mix together. Sure, you can get all fancy with a juicer, but I just cut the orange and lemon into quarters and squeeze the juice by hand into the bowl. Cut your apple into thin slices, place in a small bowl, and pour the juice over the apple. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes and you're ready to start snacking. You'll be surprised how refreshing the taste is and how easy it is to grab some apple slices instead of grabbing a handful of chips. Great for packing with lunches, too!