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Author Kimberly Ragosta wrote a cookbook based on using farm produce and proteins in meals .
Farm-Fresh Fare
Learn how author Kimberly Ragosta got the idea for her cookbook , A Time to Gather , and get the recipe for einkorn apple cinnamon scones .
A local mom of five came up with a genius idea for a cookbook : She approached local farms about bartering for food in exchange for creating recipes using their meat and produce .
Kimberly Ragosta is a native Rhode Islander and homeschooling mom to five children ages six to fourteen , and her cookbook — A Time to Gather — focuses on making meals using produce from local farms .
“ I was able to not buy meat or vegetables for quite some time which was a huge help to my family ,” Ragosta says . “ I would go home with the products that the farms / artisans gave me , create a recipe using their products and then take beautiful pictures of the recipes and send them off to the farms .”
Ragosta then posted the recipes and photos to her Instagram account , @ littlehouseinthe forest , and the farms used the recipes on their websites , blogs and social media outlets .
“ It was a win-win for both myself and the farmer / artisan ,” Ragosta says . “ From this , I saw that my vision for a cookbook could finally come to life . I have been creating recipes for over sixteen years and just love sharing with others how cooking is a beautiful thing to be enjoyed with the importance put on using high-quality , local and seasonal ingredients .” The book can be ordered on Amazon or through her website , kimberlyragosta . com . “ Rhode Island has so many wonderful farms and artisans and my heart is to help people see the importance of eating local foods and becoming a part of the beautiful food community we have here in the Ocean State ,” she says . — J . C . 🆁
Einkorn Apple Cinnamon Scones
“ I love playing around with different flours when baking as I don ’ t only like to bake with white all-purpose flour . I find that einkorn flour has a deliciously nutty flavor that goes very well in baked goods . Sucanat sugar contains less sucrose and retains the natural molasses and extra nutrients , so I like to use it as a substitute for organic cane sugar as it is less processed . Einkorn flour is the most ancient wheat there is ( how cool !) and is a good source of protein and other vitamins and antioxidants .” — Kimberly Ragosta
12 tbsp butter , softened 1 cup Sucanat sugar 2 eggs 2 cups plain yogurt 4½ cups einkorn flour 5 tsp baking powder 2 tsp cinnamon 2 cups apples , diced Olive oil spray
Heat oven to 400 degrees . In a large bowl , mix butter and sugar together . Add eggs and yogurt — mix well . Add flour , baking powder and cinnamon — mix well . Once mixed properly , fold in the apples . Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper sprayed with olive oil . Scoop ¼-cup batter mounds onto sheets , keeping some distance between each mound . Bake for 20 minutes or until scones are cooked and light golden brown on the bottom .
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF KIMBERLY RAGOSTA / BELMONT & BLISS PHOTO CO .
18 RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY l JANUARY 2024