Tag Archives: wapsie farms

Interviews

During my/our travels and work experiences, I’ve met a number of very interesting people. Mary Cech is publishing her second cook book, the first on wine lovers’ desserts and this new one on savory pastries and I’m nervous as she’ll be my first interview. This is a teaser so you’ll have to come back.

Lest you fear I’ve let the capon issue rest (over 60 of you have visited on this issue alone, not the Concord grape but it may be the next wave) I recently got off the phone with the president of Wapsie Farms, an organic farm that raises capons and he’s agreed to be interviewed in a couple of weeks. My mother, God rest her soul, always cooked capon for special occasions outside of Thanksgiving (turkey) and Christmas (prime rib and Yorkshire pudding). Wapsie’s president asked me where I was raised and said capons were often available in the Northeast. I’m on a quest for interviews with interesting food mavens.

So, turn your channel to Dee and let’s find out what makes these culinary stars tick. And why we can’t make that souffle rise, Mary?… Dee

Capon

Once I realized we weren’t going to be able to go to TX for the grand clan gathering of my husband’s family because of business, I’m stymied that I have to cook Thanksgiving a deux, the first Thanksgiving I’ve ever cooked alone! No, the husband doesn’t cook. He takes out the dog and keeps her out of my kitchen, and grills occasionally.

When I was growing up, Mom used to get capons a few times per year, for special occasions. The “neutered” rooster develops extraordinary flavor, is larger and tastier than the largest young hen would be, and makes for a special occasion.

I’ve happened upon Wapsie Farms, the nation’s largest capon producer, and asked them where I can find a capon for Thanksgiving. It’s just the two of us and I’d rather a 6-8 lb. bird rather than a minimum 12-16 lb. turkey. Today, I asked a Whole Foods butcher, who had information out for holiday ordering, where I could find a capon and she’d never heard the term and advised me to look elsewhere. So that’s when I sent an email out to Wapsie Farms.

A turkey breast sitting over stuffing is a last resort, and WF has Diestel organic turkeys. Aside from Labor Day, it’s the only holiday Jim will have this year. I don’t want to make it all about cooking. Just a bird, great stuffing, mashed potatoes (my fourth masher, others in storage) and perhaps glazed carrots and roasted brussels sprouts. And perhaps a mincemeat tart to salute the Penny sisters.

So, are there any family farms in Utah who raise organic capons? Cheers, Dee