Brunswick stew is something that many Southerners hold sacred. In fact, recipes are kept secret until they need to be passed down to the next generation. My father inherited such a recipe from a long line of Scoutmasters that have used this stew for troop fundraisers. I, of course, think it is the best stew ever...but I'm not exaggerating...In fact, Virginians take their Brunswick Stew so seriously that we even claim that we invented it. I am one of those Virginians, so, it seems is the person in charge of placing road markers along state highways as evidenced below...
Ingredients for the stew vary as to where you get your recipe, as to how it is prepared. Also, whether you prepare your stew over a gas flame or fire can make a difference in the way the stew turns out. You can try a smattering of stew types and flavors at the Brunswick Stew Festival at the Farmer's Market this weekend. I am a purist but really do enjoy seeing what spin folks put on their stew. The festival is free to attend but stew samples cost $1 or so per sample. Stew can also be purchased in larger quantities while supplies last.
The Urbanna Oyster Festival is also a timeless tradition in the Richmond area. Urbanna, a small town on the Chesapeake Bay, is part of an area popular with urbanites and suburbanites for summer time fun but the crowds flock in for this fall festival. You can try oysters prepared any kind of way you can imagine; raw, steamed, fried, stewed, etc...(imagine Bubba's LONG description of the many ways to cook shrimp in Forest Gump and apply that verbiage here but change shrimp to oyster). There are plenty of goodies, food and otherwise, for folks who don't relish the oyster. There are crafts, holiday shopping, music and friends! A good time to be had by all!
There is a lot to do in the River City! Enjoy this beautiful, crisp fall weather we are experiencing. Winter will be here soon enough...and we can hope it won't be like last year's winter!
Coming Soon: The Richmond Christmas Parade!!!
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