Episode 61: Food, Forest, and a Little Language

One more time, we’re providing a potpourri of interesting topics in an episode. If you're interested in cooking with fresh, locally sourced produce and are looking for creative ways to use winter vegetables, you'll love Patch to Plate, hosted by Annie Scibienski. In this episode, Annie shares an easy recipe for sweet potato and black bean salsa that can be used in everything from salads to pasta dishes.

And for those who want to expand their knowledge of gardening and botany, It's All Greek to Me is a must-listen. While plants are rooted in soil, their names are more often as not rooted in Latin. Host Jean Thomas takes a deep dive into the world of Latin plant names and the fascinating stories behind them. You'll learn how plants like the poinsettia and magnolia got their names and the individuals they were named after, including botanists and doctors.

Lastly, if you care about preserving the environment, don't miss Pests and Pathogens. Hosts Jackie Hayden and Dede Terns-Thorpe discuss the emerald ash borer, an invasive species that has caused significant damage to the ash tree population in North America. Jackie and Dede cover everything from the beetle's life cycle to the measures being taken to prevent further spread.

With topics ranging from creative recipes for winter vegetables to the fascinating stories behind plant names, and the impact of invasive species on our ecosystem, this episode of Nature Calls: Conversations from the Hudson Valley has something for everyone.

Hosts: Tim Kennelty and Jean Thomas

Guests: Annie Scibienski, Dede Terns-Thorpe, Jackie Hayden

Photo by: Tim Kennelty

Production Support: Linda Aydlett, Teresa Golden and Annie Scibienski