Will you pass the husk cherry sauce, please?
Thanksgiving is a celebration of the harvest.
As a child growing up in Peterborough, Ont., a city nestled in the countryside northeast of Toronto, this time of the year usually marked the end of the growing season — with the end of local produce not far behind.
Windsor-Essex, on the other hand, is home to some of the most fertile, productive land in the country. Thanks to our geographic location, the growing season here is far from over.
To get an idea of the local fruits and vegetables available for your thanksgiving feast this weekend, I met up with Leslie Huffman Balsillie.
She runs The Fruit Wagon in Harrow with her husband, Doug. Apples are their main crop, but they have tomatoes, peppers, pears, herbs and kale, to name just a few other things they grow. Most of these items are still available — in fact, many have yet to be harvested.
Click on the audio player to hear our conversation.
Move over, cranberries
One of The Fruit Wagon's newest crops this year are husk cherries. Leslie says they would be wonderful in pies, or as a replacement for cranberries or raisins.
Click on the video player to learn more.
Where is The Fruit Wagon?
The Fruit Wagon is located at 793 County Rd. 50 in Harrow. The wagon is out from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. — and it's cash only.
Leslie and Doug have also been long-time vendors at the Downtown Windsor Farmers' Market. They'll be at the final market of the season this Saturday at Charles Clark Square.
