In Our Summer 2017 Issue

By Colleen Leonardi / Photography By | Last Updated July 15, 2017
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up close watermelon on cover

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

As Edible Columbus celebrates its eighth year in print, I’d like to welcome Franklin County Farm Bureau to our team. Their stewardship of our magazine and mission makes our continued publication possible.

And now I’m going to get philosophical  on you for a moment. I know—it’s summer and the beaches are calling. Yet the main source of pleasure at the beach—the Mother Ocean—is what I want to speak to. It’s no secret our waters are in jeopardy, and our drinking water is not exempt from these risks. Before Aristotle, there was the Greek philosopher Thales of Miletus, who developed a whole cosmology around water as the root of all matter, the source of all life. The indigenous people of our time, therefore, are not the only ones—our history shows water was revered and respected as the seeds of Western civilization were being planted.

In a recent study by The Nature Conservancy, “80% of large cities could meaningfully improve their drinking-water quality and reliability by boosting land conservation and changing agricultural practices in the watersheds that supply them.” Water and earth are intimately linked. Our summer issue looks at this relationship by exploring water in Central Ohio, from our watersheds to a growing market known as aquaculture that is dedicated to raising fish on farms. We also take a look at our soil and community garden efforts in Columbus. The story of the gardens at Big Lots’ corporate headquarters and the fruit parks created in Weinland Park and the South Side of Columbus by Los Angeles artists David Young
and Austin Burns in collaboration with the Wexner Center are beacons of inspiration for what is possible when communities build trust and come together to make beauty we can all eat.

And then there is the eating. And for that we’ve dished up recipes from Mi Ae Lipe’s handsome cookbook, Bounty from The Box: The CSA Farm Cookbook, including Watermelon Chicken Salad and Stuffed Squash with Basil and Honey. We also share stories about trailblazers in our community, from the artist Sarah Fairchild to hiker Danielle Vilaplana, who shares her original recipes for dehydrated Spicy Avocado Hummus  and Mushroom Miso Ramen for those looking to take in some long-distance hiking this summer. And then there is a day-trip, and for that we highlight some new eateries and food destinations down south through Hocking Hills and Lancaster.

And back to history for one more breath. You must read about and visit the historic Rock Mill in Fairfield County. This amazing structure has been restored for mill production, an amazing accomplishment for our region and Ohio’s food traditions.

Stay cool, eat some watermelon and enjoy the summertime sun!

Roasted Eggplant Salad with Beans and Cashews

eggplant
Our recipe for eggplant comes from Mi Ae Lipe’s cookbook, Bounty from the Box: The CSA Farm Cookbook. 

Inside the Kitchen of Alex Homan & Tamara Howard in German Village

inside the kitchen
Alex Homan and Tamara Howard renovated their German Village home's old galley-style kitchen into an airy and efficient space flanked with large windows, tall ceilings and rich accent colors.

Day Trip Destinations and Local Eateries in Lancaster and the Hocking Hills Region

Lunch at The Well in Lancaster, Ohio, with Blood Builder Juice, Nourishing Bowl and Zesty Beet Orange Kale Salad.
Lancaster’s recently revitalized, charming downtown and the Hocking Hills’ awe-inspiring natural wonders lend themselves to a relaxing getaway that is enhanced by the abundant fresh fare found...

The Phenomenal Paintings of Artist Sarah Fairchild and Her Electric Approach to Food and Nature

We catch up with Columbus artist Sarah Fairchild about everything from her childhood to her favorite parts of being an artist.

The Wellington School Gardens

Children learning about gardening as a part of the wellness integrative initiatives at the Wellington School
At The Wellington School, the school gardens are a way to enrich the lives and lessons of students who interact in them. And, as students and teachers throughout the school focus on integrated...

What to Eat (and Not Eat) While Long-Distance Hiking for Optimum Health

preparing food for the trail
By preparing food ahead of time you can incorporate more diverse and nutritious items into your diet while backpacking trails.

Backpacking Food: How to Cook Dehydrated Meals for the Trail

cooking dehydrated avocado hummus
Grains can be cooked in a normal manner but double the serving size for a trail appetite. Leave out most oils or fats that a grain recipe...

Deep City Fishing: A Look at Fish Farms and Business in Central Ohio - Yep, Ohio

fresh catch at freshwater farms
Central Ohio, has increasingly cast a net on farming fish—a practice known as aquaculture—and reining in the effects of overfishing the oceans, or at least the taste of days-old fish.

English Pea Risotto with Poached Shrimp

english peas illustration
For the seafood minded, we offer a simple risotto with fresh shrimp and peas. Risotto takes time, so plan ahead. It’s well worth it, though, once you sit back and enjoy your risotto with a glass of...

The Way of Water: Central Ohio’s Watersheds and Our Food System

ohio watersheds
In Central Ohio, the waterways in our region reside in the Scioto River watershed, which provides drinking water for more than 2 million people in the Columbus metro area alone. Here we delve into the...

Community Gardening at Big Lots’ Big Garden

big lots community garden
With some help from master gardeners and a determined group of volunteers, the Big Lots' community garden continues to serve both the teams that cultivate it and a local community in need.

Reviving the Rock Mill

The Rock Mill in Fairfield County.
Preservationists in Fairfield County restore a historic landmark for mill production

From the Amazon to Ohio: A Q&A with Environmental Anthropologist, Nick Kawa

Nick Kawa
A Q&A with Environmental Anthropologist, Nick Kawa, about healthy soils, agricultural production and biosolids.

South Side Fruit Park Gives the Gift of Fruit

The community gathering at the South Side Fruit Park on the first day of the planting.
A global art project dedicated to growing fruit parks takes root on the South Side of Columbus
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