News from the local food scene
• Tastes of France: Portsmouth’s The Music Hall will present a virtual author discussion and Q&A on Wednesday, April 28, at 7 p.m., featuring Bill Buford on his 2020 book Dirt: Adventures in Lyon as a Chef in Training, Father, and Sleuth Looking for the Secret of French Cooking. The author and James Beard Award winner will talk about his journey learning traditional French haute cuisine while working under esteemed chefs in the city of Lyon. Chef-owner Evan Mallet of The Black Trumpet Bistro will serve as the event’s moderator. Tickets to access the livestreamed discussion are available at themusichall.org for $5 per person — a video link will be provided in your email confirmation. Virtual attendees also have the option to purchase a copy of Buford’s book for an additional $17 with their ticket purchase. Books can be shipped to you after the event, or available for pickup at the Music Hall’s Historic Theater (28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth).
• Greek goodies: In honor of Greek Easter on Sunday, May 2, jajabelles (143 Main St., Nashua) is taking orders now for a variety of specialty Greek pastries, like baklava, spanakopita and tiropita, as well as finikia (date-nut filled cookies), kourambiethes (powdered sugar cookies), kataifi (walnuts wrapped in shredded phyllo and covered in homemade syrup), and koulourakia (twisted sesame cookies), all of which are available by the dozen. Other items include dolmathes (lamb- and beef-filled grape leaves) and tsoureki (Greek sweet bread). Orders are due by April 28 (by April 25 for the tsoureki), with pickups on either May 1 or May 2. Visit jajabelles.com or call 769-1873.
• All about dandelions: Register now for Dandelion Delights, a program of the Beaver Brook Association to be held on Sunday, May 2, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Maple Hill Farm (117 Ridge Road, Hollis). Instructor Rivka Schwartz will go over all the different ways dandelions can be enjoyed in foods and drinks and used in medicine to help stimulate digestion and aid the liver. Dandelion wine, soda, salad, tea and fritters will be covered, with take-home recipes and an information packet available for attendees. The cost is $22 for Beaver Brook members and $25 for non-members. Visit beaverbrook.org.
• Poutine pause: For the second year in a row, the New Hampshire PoutineFest will not be taking place at Anheuser-Busch Brewery in Merrimack, according to a statement posted on the popular event’s Facebook page on April 14. “That said, this doesn’t mean that all is lost for 2021,” the statement read. “We are currently investigating all potential opportunities. … When, where, how … TBD.” The poutine-centered festival was canceled last year due to the pandemic, with a roadshow “passport” promotion held in its place in which poutine lovers could visit participating restaurants across the state and get 25 percent off a regular order of poutine. Visit nhpoutinefest.com for updates.