Holiday 2022 Issue

ON THE COVER: Apple illustrations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Pomological Watercolor Collection.Rare and Special Collections, National Agricultural Library, Beltsville, MD 20705.

The green hills of Hunterdon County were gorgeous, as always, in the late summer sun. But as we drove along, we weren’t really appreciating the view. We were rushed, and we were late.

Ray and I had not allowed ourselves enough driving time and we pulled into Unionville Vineyard feeling a bit distraught. It appeared that the welcoming reception behind the farmhouse had ended and the guests were moving into the field for dinner. Suddenly, Unionville’s General Manager John Cifelli approached, welcoming us with a big smile. Waving off our apologies, he handed us each a glass of beautifully sparkling wine, and graciously encouraged us to take a breath, relax, and join the group. Walking toward our seats at the table, we felt an immediate camaraderie with our fellow guests and the excitement of gathering together for a good meal. We were here.

The excitement of gathering: In many ways, that may be how I will long recall 2022. The harvest dinner in the Unionville vineyard was an exceptionally spectacular night, with wonderful wine, outstanding food prepared by Chef Christopher Albrecht of The Ryland Inn, and fantastic company. But this year, every opportunity to gather seemed a moment to savor.

After a slow start due to Covid’s grip, the year was full of opportunities, big and small, to come together in person again and I felt extremely fortunate for each and every one. From an open-house reception at the Garden State Wine Growers Association’s new headquarters in Haddonfield, to a panel discussion about food at Rutgers University, to the potluck dinner at the Foodshed Alliance’s SAgE farm in Newton, to sharing coffee and scones with a friend at Bread Alone in Maplewood, and so many more moments, I felt as if I was seeing the world with new eyes. And it was delicious to tangibly feel that sense of community again.

A sense of community is interwoven with New Jersey’s food culture. Just visit a weekly farmers’ market and feel the welcoming vibes. See the generosity of local chefs during any crisis. Taste the incredible diversity of Garden State towns and cities (page 67). As Tim Vetter shows us in “Tasting Iraq” (page 62), —literally, breaking bread together— allows us to better understand other cultures and revel in our shared humanness. Food is welcoming, food is hopeful, and food is a surefire way to create community.

In the year ahead I encourage everyone, myself included, to look for ways to create community. We are facing tremendously serious issues around the world, certainly, that involve hunger, the economy, the environment, loneliness, violence, and war. But there are many points of hope and light and, to me, these usually seem to spring from a spirit of community.

We hope this issue, from its “Circle of Holiday Cheer” (page 26) to its recipes, Food & Gift Guide (page 43), and more, helps inspire your gatherings this holiday season and throughout the winter, and we look forward to sharing our food community with you in the year ahead.

Best wishes to you and yours for a healthy, happy, and delicious 2023.

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HOLIDAY 2022 FEATURES