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Food
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. Food: Want to find some great turkey for Thanksgiving?!? ...
If you've ever has occasion to drive out Route 17 through New Haven, between New Haven village and Bristol, chances are you might have noticed something at the top of the hill. East, above the village, there are acres and acres of white-feathered flocks, free-ranging on the hillsides.
The birds, of course, are turkeys, only part of the the delectable fare that comes out of Misty Knoll Farm, a family-owned and operated farm which, according to their lit, is "devoted to producing the finest Vermont range poultry and poultry products." ... And if their customer list is any indication, that devotion has paid off. A Growing Business ... Growth at Misty Knoll has not translated into some of the usual short-cuts associated with larger poultry operations. The processing, as well as the grading, is still all done by hand. It takes a bit more time and effort. But according to Palmer and Litch, it's worth it in more ways than one. Not only does this labor-intensive approach mean "that only the finest birds are offered for sale," it also means "providing jobs for people not machines."
Misty Knoll's list of local restaurant sales reads like a litany of some of the most popular dining spots and eateries in the region: Roland's Place, the Basin Harbor Club, the Inn at Shelburne Farms, Mary's at Baldwin Creek, Stone Soup, Pauline's, and the new Eat Good Food over in Vergennes, just to name a few. They also sell to specialty stores like the Cheese Outlet and Hunger Mountain. Co-Op, and the Natural Food Deli over in Saratoga Springs.
. The birds start out from "the healthiest poults available," in a specially-designed brooder house, well-protected from the elements. This is essential until the birds can take our cool Vermont nights. Once they can, though, they're moved to open barns from which they're free to range some of the lush pastures of the 24-acre Misty Knoll Farm. Of course, once the winter sets in, even the hardiest turkeys have to get inside, usually between late December and early March. So sure is Misty Knoll of the quality of its birds that it offers a straightforward guarantee: If for any reason you are dissatisfied with any of our products, we will promptly replace the product or refund your money. Period.
Minda LaFountain says things are really gearing up for the holiday turkey season about now. But the work has been going on for some time. The first batch, she says, "starts out in May." This brood will usually come in "around 30 lbs. or so." From there, the cycle repeats about every two weeks, with the last brood, which will weigh in dressed at about 10-12 lbs., starting out in August. About 200 turkeys a day make their final journey from the holding pen to the processing room. From there, they go to the cooler, where they're kept at 29º-30º, "cold enough," according to Minda, "to freeze water, but not meat." This way, the birds are sure to stay fresh and tender. Getting a Bird from Misty
Knoll ... "The Sunday before is when things start up," she noted. And the traffic can get pretty thick on the Monday and Tuesday, when Misty Knoll is open from 8 'til 6. But for those who haven't made it by then, Misty Knoll also opens its doors for a half-day -- 8 to noon -- on the day before Thanksgiving. Well ... If you've never tried a turkey from Misty Knoll, you don't know what you're missing. There's a delicious difference to be found here. ... But, please, be aware: Any bird that's overcooked will come out dry. "It's amazing," Minda says. "How many people try our birds, then say they didn't taste any difference. But then I ask then how they cooked it and thy tell me ..." Her voice trails off for a moment. "You just can't put a bird in the oven all night long and expect it to come out moist and tender the next day. It's not gonna happen." The best insurance against a dry bird, Minda tells us, is a meat thermometer. "They're simple. They're inexpensive" she says. "And they really belong in every kitchen." In order to add to the likelihood that you'll enjoy the tastiest bird possible, though, Misty Knoll also offers up a simple handout about proper storage and cooking instructions. If you follow them, Misty Knoll promises the result will be "a meal to remember." That's certainly been our experience. ... Misty
Knoll Farm Mange forte!
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