Faeries

An Autumn Feast in the Hollow Hills

“Each child should be taught a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life, as an unfailing anecdote against the sterile preoccupation with things that are artificial, the alienation from the sources of our strength.”

~Rachel Carson

.

.

.

.

One visit to David Cavagnaro’s garden—an enchanting maze of paths and plants—and it was obvious we were to explore the world of Faeries and their home in the Hollow Hills.  Guests parked off-site and were brought by bus to the location through the rolling hills of the Driftless Region.

Our driver pretended to break down on the long driveway….

.

.

they were attacked by ogres,

.

.

..

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

lectured by Rod Serling,

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

then led to the house by a mysterious hooded figure on horseback.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

There they could wander the magical gardens, talk with a Satyr, and pick their very own hand carved wooden spoon from the Spoon Tree with which they would eat their meal.

.

.

.

Many varieties of faeries visited the diners that night,

some tall and some small

(one so small that he popped out of a giant pupmpkin),

.

.

.

some were BLUE

.

.

.

.

.

.

some were small

.

.

.

.

some were like DRAGONFLIES

.

.

 

and all diners were given a primer about Faerie Facts and Etiquette by a local schoolmarm.

.

.

.

.

.

 

.

.

Apparently everyone observed the lecture because as far as we know, no one was left stuck in the Hollow Hills.

.

.

.

.

The dinner was almost entirely local,

the dishes were almost entirely edible.

.

.

Menu…

Soup

Puree of Pumpkin Soup with Nutmeg, Fresh Sage and

crumbled Gorgonzola Cheese

served in a Squash Bowl

.

Entrees

A) Beef Sauerbraten

B) Pork Loin and Fig Kebabs roasted with a Pomegranite Glaze

C) Vegetarian Pasty filled with Wild Mushrooms, Roasted Leeks,

Roasted Rutabegas, and Jarlsberg Cheese

.

Sides for All

~Pan de Muerto seasoned with Anise and Cinnamon

~Sweet Potato Leek Pancakes topped with Apple Compote and Sour Cream

~Pickled Spicy Carrots

~Homemade Spätzle baked with Sharp Cheddar Cheese

~Sweet and Sour Onions and Dried Cherries

~Warm Red Cabbage Salad

.

Dessert

A cozy roll of Hazelnuts, Dried Fruits and Sticky Rice

wrapped in a Banana Leaf


.

.

“Food is a mystery…(it) always has a cultural overlay or an inner life that may come from nation, region, family, or personal experience.  Food may also have its mythology, its own dream life, and its religion.”

~Thomas Moore

.

.

.

 

Slideshow Music by Jaojoby

.

Back To Archives

Comments are closed.