Butternut Cranberry Waffles with Cranberry Maple Syrup

Last fall, I was asked by Savour Muskoka (an organization promoting food producers and artisans in the area) to contribute a recipe to be included in a calendar. The recipe was to highlight locally-grown products and ideally it would be suitable for making throughout the year and not just during the short growing season.

Butternut squash, cranberries and maple syrup are all produced in Muskoka and they all have longevity beyond their harvest time. And they all taste absolutely delicious when combined in these hearty waffles!

Savour Muskoka hit some snags and never did print those calendars, but this is a recipe worth sharing at any time of year.

Butternut Cranberry Waffles

We love butternut squash for the sweet, mild, nutty taste but any winter squash (or canned pumpkin) can be substituted.

Winter squash—such as butternut, hubbard, and kabocha—are harvested in the fall before the first hard frost. They can be stored in a cold cellar or other cool, dry place for many months and the prepared puree can be frozen in pre-measured portions for easy convenience. Fresh cranberries freeze beautifully (do nothing to them but toss them in a ziptop freezer bag). This allows us to enjoy our local produce long after the growing season has ended.

Makes 4 servings

• 1 cup unbleached all purpose flour 
• 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder 
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 
• 14 teaspoon ground nutmeg 
• 1 cup butternut squash puree* 
• 2 eggs 
• 1 tablespoon sunflower or vegetable oil 
• 1/3 cup pure maple syrup 
• 1 cup buttermilk (or plain milk soured with a splash of lemon juice) 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1/2 cup dried sweetened cranberries 

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the butternut squash puree, eggs, oil, maple syrup, buttermilk and vanilla.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until just combined. Don't over mix (a few lumps are okay). Let the batter rest for 20 minutes.

While the batter is resting, soak the dried cranberries in hot water for 10 minutes to plump up. Drain in a mesh sieve. Stir the drained cranberries into the batter.

Cook the waffles in a preheated, greased waffled iron according to manufacturer's instructions.

Serve waffles hot, topped with Cranberry Maple Syrup, toasted pecans and a dusting of icing sugar. Enjoy!

* To make butternut squash puree: Carefully cut squash in half lengthwise. Scrape out and discard seeds and strings (or bake seeds until toasted and eat as a snack!). Place squash halves cut side down in a baking dish. Add 1/2" water to the dish. Bake in a hot oven until tender throughout, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Peel away and discard skin. Mash squash in a bowl with a potato masher (or whiz in a food processor) until smooth and lump-free. Butternut puree can be used in the waffle recipe above, added to soup, mashed with yellow or sweet potatoes, or baked in a casserole. Unused puree can be frozen, well-wrapped, for up to two months.

Cranberry Maple Syrup

• 1 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen 
• 1 cup pure maple syrup 

In a sauce pan over medium high heat, bring cranberries and maple syrup to boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries start to burst. Serve warm.

Leave it to Beavers

Beavers have been working away from both sides.

Amazing to see the tooth marks chiseled in the wood.

In a previous post, I included a picture of this big, beautiful maple tree that is quite clearly a work-in-progress for a very ambitious beaver. Since then, Jim and I have taken some guests on a guided tour of our property and we included a visit to this tree and the area around it.

Our guests found it as remarkable as we do, so I thought I'd share some more with you. The photos don't quite do it justice (they never do), but I'd be happy to show you in person during a visit to the inn.

Talk about ambitious -- I can't even get my arms around it!

From mossy trail to beaver pond.

A couple years ago we discovered a little beaver pond in the woods just off our mossy trail. We couldn't see it from the trail but could hear a loud chorus of frogs singing and went to investigate. 

What we found was a stretch of pond--shallow and rather murky--clearly not from a steady flow of fresh water. It's not a large pond, from what we can tell, but it's hard to get a look at it for all the debris of trunks and branches. What's remarkable is the sheer number and size of the trees that were obviously taken down by beavers.

One of many stumps.

Tree down!

The tree I mentioned is still standing, but for how long? A beaver (or beavers) have chewed chunks out of both sides. There are others that are just stumps and others that look like pieces of a giant "pick up sticks" game.

While it's easy to think of the beavers as "destructive", keep in mind that the changes they wreak on their environment also create habitat (for frogs, for instance) and open up parts of the forest to sunlight, creating opportunities for sun-loving plants to take route and flourish. A forest is never static. It's an ever-evolving system and beavers are just one tool of change.

Giant game of Pick Up Sticks

To my fellow Canadians out there, I have to say: If you've ever bemoaned the fact that our national animal is a large, buck-toothed rodent; if you've ever wondered why we didn't instead choose to represent our country with an intimidating grizzly or polar bear or a majestic bull moose... bemoan no more. 

The beaver is underestimated, quietly yet assuredly effective, fiercely determined, analytically intelligent and adaptable, charmingly cute, and has a wickedly dry sense of humour (I'm just guessing on that last one). Leave it to beavers to be the surprisingly apt ambassadors of the true north strong and free.

The busyness of beavers.

Reading the Forest - Peek into the Past

In my last post, we read the signs of animal activity in the forest. It amazes me every time to see how much is going on every day in our own patch of woods. But there's more than just current animal tales to see. If we know what to look for, we can peek into the past and see how the land was shaped by settlers over a hundred years ago and by the forces of nature over millennia.

Ancient bedrock. Somewhat-less-ancient Jim and Saba.

If we start at the beginning of the narrative, we'll have to go back a few billion years to the Precambrian era which is when the Canadian Shield formed. The exposed bedrock you see as you travel through the region is some of the oldest in the world. Though the elevation is quite low now, these rocks are the roots of ancient mountains, eroded over time and rising up (like an iceberg) above the mantle below.

If this wall could talk...

Glaciers advancing and receding over Canada over twelve thousand years ago also left marks we can still see during a walk in the woods today. The ice sheets of the glacial period picked up and transported rocks and debris as they moved, scraping away soil and scouring lake basins. Every time I see a lonely bolder sitting amid a stand of trees I wonder if it was dropped there by a glacier "back in the day".

Was this boulder left behind by a glacier?

It can be easy to assume, when I'm surrounded by tall, strong trees, that the soil here is rich and deep. But then, after a windstorm perhaps, I'll see a healthy tree has come down with it's root system still attached. And I'll see the roots have only been growing in a mere foot and a half of soil which was lifted--intact--off solid rock as the tree fell.

You can see solid, bare rock on the other side of those roots.

You can see the sparseness of the soil over bedrock (and the stubborn determination of these trees to grow in it anyway) when you see a tree with it's roots spread out over the ground instead of reaching deep down into it.

Big, beautiful tree is holding on to a thin layer of soil over rock.

Saba walking on a furrow.

Turning the pages of the history book forward, the signs of recent history are easier to see and decipher. This land was settled as part of the Land Grants program in the 1880's. One of the conditions of the deal was that settlers had to clear 40 acres for farming (which would not have been an easy task). We can still see the furrows, now covered in moss, very clearly on our Mossy Trail.

You can still see the furrow (now covered in moss) from the farm days.

Throughout the property are piles of fieldstones. Every stone in every pile would have been lifted by hand and piled up out of the way of the field work. Very likely it was a job for the children to do.

One of many piles of fieldstone throughout the property.

Nicely intact section of fence, perhaps 100 years old.

In one spot just off the Mossy Trail, you can see the remains of a split rail fence covered in a lovely, vibrant moss. Was this to keep cows in? To mark a border? How long was it and who built it? We don't know and probably will never find out.

There are many narratives only hinted at throughout the forest--of current activity as well as the recent and distant past. Take a walk, keep your eyes open, and enjoy the mystery as much as the answers.

You can glimpse the split rail fence from the Mossy Trail.

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Discover the stories of the wildlife in our woods in Reading the Forest - Animal Tales.

Reading the Forest - Animal Tales

This is a work-in-progress for a busy beaver.

Just about anyone can enjoy a walk in the forest. You don't have to know your flora and fauna, your history or geology, in order to appreciate the fresh air, natural surroundings and gentle workout that comes with a hike through the woods. But if you're so inclined, you can get more out of the experience than a clear head and physical exercise. If you pay attention and read the signs, you'll see the forest tells a story.

Work of pileated woodpecker.

Actually, it tells many stories—of the creatures that call it home and the history that shaped the land in recent years and in the distant path. While we rarely get to see the actual animals in the woods (they're too shy and stealthy most of the time), we can see where they've been and what they've been up to.

A pair of pileated woodpeckers have been busy all around the property lately. We hear them rat-tat-tatting every day, but more than that, we see firsthand the results of their work. This is just one long-dead tree trunk that a woodpecker has "written" on. You don't even have to see the woodpecker to know it's been here, or to know it is one big bird.

We can also see that a cousin of the pileated has also been active. These neatly drilled holes are the work of a sapsucker. This smaller woodpecker makes the holes to get to the tree sap, eating both the sap and the insects that are drawn to it.

Neat holes drilled by a sapsucker.

Old scar on a tree, scratched open for sap.

Birds aren't the only forest inhabitants who like sap. This scar is a few years old, but you can clearly see the claw marks where a bear scratched through bark to get to the sap. 

Other animal stories are told by tracks and trails (pictured bottom), scat (not pictured!) and even hatched egg shells from a snapping turtle. The well-gnawed tree trunk (pictured top) is clear evidence of beaver activity.

Empty shells from hatched turtle eggs.

Snow is especially good at telling a story of what just happened. It's an excellent (though temperary) slate for recording tracks, trails, skirmishes and the food chain in action. I've seen a little track from some unfortunate little rodent end abruptly at a swish made from the wing feathers of some fortunate bird of prey. I didn't get a picture of that scene but this photo (taken after a wild turkey trotted through our yard) shows you what I mean about the wing swoosh.

A wing swoosh and footprints in the snow tell us a wild turkey was here.

Animals are just some of the character in the forest stories. Rocks, trees and even the earth have their own tales to tell. I'll have to save that for another post. This is one story that is, well, to be continued...

Moose track.

Moose trail.

20 Things to Do on a Spring Getaway

Spring is the quiet season around here. There are no crowds, no long waits at the popular restaurants, no sharing the trail with the masses. 

But if you've always thought a getaway up here means snowshoeing or swimming, you might be wondering "Just what the heck can I do on a Spring getaway?" Never fear, we've got 20 great ideas for you...

1. Listen to the frogs sing. Step outside in the evening to listen to the spring peepers singing in the distance; or stroll over to the beaver pond and let their song fill your head.

2. Hike the Seguin Trail. This former rail line is an easy-to-walk ribbon through the wilderness.

3. Catch up on your reading. Peruse our eclectic selection of books or bring your own. We provide comfy reading spots and few distractions.

4. Spend the day in Algonquin Park. Hike the trails, learn about the history of the park, gain a greater understanding of the land and animals through the interpretive dispays.

5. Watch for moose and other wildlife. Spring is a great time to see the moose, birds and other inhabitants of the boreal forest.

6. Stroll through Burk's Falls. Slow down for a small-town pace and explore the shops or walk along the river.

7. Gaze deep into a starry sky. When our dark sky is clear of clouds and moon, you'll swear you can see to the other side of the universe.

8. Meander the country roads and see where they take you. Follow the back road to Huntsville and stop in the hamlet of Ilfracombe for a breather.

9. Walk through an outdoor artscape. Visit the landscape canvas of a local artist and step into another world.

10. Go day-tripping to Parry Sound. Explore this charming little town on Georgian Bay with a day trip loop that will take you through some lovely countryside on your way there and back. In town, a climb up the fire tower is a must!

11. Marvel at the moss. If you've never seen what a "carpet of moss" looks and feels like, this is your chance. Our woods are so  verdant and lush with it you'll have to reach down and feel the cool, springy cushion for yourself.

12. Paddlers can paddle. Experienced canoers and kayakers have been itching to get out on the lake since the first ice-out reports have come in. Now's your chance! Novices are best to wait until the water is warm enough for swimming.

13. Follow the Real Simple Itinerary. Relaxing and reconnecting are the main highlights.

14. Be a bargain hunter. Spring is the season for barn sales, yard sales and country auctions when you can prove the old adage true that one man's garbage is another man's treasure.

15. Savour the tastes of spring. Asparagus, chives, rhubarb, and strawberries kick off the growing season in Musoka.

16, 17 & 18. Get outside and active. Cycling, golfing, and horseback riding will engage your body and mind and make you revel in the fresh air of the great outdoors.

19. Treat yourself to a little treat with the money you'll save. Save $10/night on your Spring Getaway when you stay two nights or more, so go ahead and get that high-tech outdoor gear from Algonquin Outfitters or a bottle of award winning wine from Muskoka Lakes Winery.

20. Tour the waterfalls from Arrowhead to Algonquin Park. Discover the natural gems of the region before the busy summer season sets in.

Do you have more ideas for experiencing the best of Spring in Muskoka and Almaguin? Tell us what you love to do!

Maple Braised Fennel

Fern Glen Inn • www.ferngleninn.blogspot.com

March is maple syrup month. Usually, anyway. It's the transition time from winter to spring—when the nights are cold but the days are warm and sunny—that makes the sap run in the maple trees, sweet and clear and abundant. Usually. This March has been different.

For the past couple of weeks we've had record warm days with temperatures reaching above 20°C and night time lows staying above the freezing mark. This has curtailed the sugar bush operators around here but hopefully the early start they got to the season will make up for it. Plus, if we get a return to "normal" temperatures we could see the sap flowing again before the sugar shacks are closed up for the year.

In the meantime we've been enjoying this early taste of summer and the fact that the first day of Spring (on the calendar) actually felt like Spring! I think that's a first in the seven years we've been here. We've got some of the deck furniture out, the snow has cleared away and the grass is already turning green and it isn't even April yet!

But I haven't forgotten we're in the north and this preview of what's to come is just that: a preview. The cool evenings still call for comfort food and a cozy (if smaller) fire. I'm still cooking with winter vegetables at this time of year but I can't resist injecting a spring twist to the flavours. Maple Braised Fennel is the perfect side dish to bridge the transition of the seasons.

I'll warn you, it's not a very pretty dish. It's fitting, though, considering March is not a very pretty month. Both the dish and the month are rather muted in colour and messy in appearance but they offer other charms if you take the time to savour them.

Maple partners beautifully with the earthy, herbal notes of fennel. The cooking method—a blend of braising and roasting—mellows out the licorice flavour that fennel (also called anise) is known for. If you don't like fennel because the licorice taste is overwhelming when the bulb is used raw or blanched (often in salads), don't rule out this recipe. The vegetable takes on a completely different  character when cooked like this. You may just surprise yourself and discover a new favourite spring side dish.

Maple Braised Fennel
Serves 4

• 2 fennel bulbs
• 2 shallots
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup, plus more for drizzling
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• coarse kosher salt
• cracked black pepper
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme or a pinch of dried thyme leaves

Preheat oven to 425°F.

Cut off and discard stalks from fennel. If the outer layer of bulb is tough, remove and discard it or use a vegetable peeler to pare off the dry/discoloured parts. Trim a slice off the root end just to freshen it. Cut each bulb lengthwise into eight wedges.

Peel and trim the shallots. Cut each lengthwise into six wedges. Put the fennel and shallot wedges into a 9"x13" lightly oiled baking dish.

In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, vinegar, olive oil, a good pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. If using dried thyme leaves, stir those in, too.

Pour the maple mixture over the fennel and shallots and stir to coat. Distribute the vegetables evenly in the baking dish. Tuck in the thyme sprigs if using. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes.

Uncover and give it a stir. Continue roasting, uncovered, until fennel is fork-tender and caramelized around the edges, about another 25-30 minutes, stirring once or twice. Drizzle with a small spoonful of maple syrup for the last 5-10 minutes if desired to encourage browning and bring the maple flavour forward.

Serve hot or warm alongside roasted or grilled lamb, pork or chicken; or serve at room temperature as part of an antipasto plate.

Enjoy!

Fuel & Fun Package

Get $100 in free vouchers when you get out of the city for a spring getaway!

Book your getaway before March 31 for a 2-night stay at Fern Glen Inn between April 3 and May 17. Register your reservation while quantities last and you'll receive a $50 Gas card and 2x $25 Experience vouchers which can be used-as-cash at participating shops, restaurants, outfitters and attractions. Quantities are limited and it's "first come, first served" so act quickly to avoid disappointment.

Book your Fuel & Fun Getaway Package at Fern Glen Inn

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This is all courtesy of Explorers' Edge, our regional tourism organization. If you haven't heard of Explorers' Edge yet, you will! The region includes Muskoka, Algonquin Park, Parry Sound and the Almaguin Highlands. There are so many things to see and do (and places to dine and shop, activities to discover, scenic spots to explore) and Explorers' Edge is helping bring us all together.

So are you wondering what you might see and do on a spring getaway in Muskoka & Almaguin?

Spring is a quieter time around the region.—in fact, it's our Quiet Season, which means our rates are lower than during the high seasons. There are some things you can't do at this time of year (swimming and dog sledding are not recommended!) but there are still more things to do than time to do it all.

Hiking is always popular. You can hike our own trails, the Seguin Trail, or the trails of Arrowhead Park or Algonquin Park.

Day trips to explore local towns, artist studios, galleries will intrigue and inspire. To reconnect with nature, you can discover the hidden gems and scenic spots before the crowds of summer arrive.

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know that I Heart April. You'll want to hear the Soundtrack of Spring for yourself. Reach down to touch a Carpet of Moss, go for a Spring Walk on the Seguin Trail, or take a Day Trip to Parry Sound. Maybe you can add to my list of 25 Things to Love About May. For more ideas on how you might spend a spring getaway, check out our line-up of packages for oudoor adventures or relaxing escapes.

Jim and I are really excited to participate in the Fuel & Fun promotion because it lets us give such a great gift to our guests. Who doesn't want free gas and spending? 

But we also love the chance to showcase this beautiful season and share it with people who may not otherwise discover it. We hope to see you this spring!

In partnership with