Speckled Hen Inn » Shopping

Time to visit a Greenhouse

Pat Fischbeck — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 21:19:44 +0000

Celebrate Earth Day this year by planning to add some green to your own little patch of Earth. The Madison area greenhouses are filled with wonderful plant material just waiting to turn your home into your own private oasis this summer.

At the Speckled Hen Inn, we prefer to buy our plants from local greenhouses rather than the big box discounters because we are assured that the plants are suitable for our growing conditions and the knowledge that the folks working in the greenhouses are willing to share, makes sure that we have selected to right plant for our needs.

Here is a link to a map with some of our favorite local garden centers and plant nurseries on it.

View Madison Area Garden Centers and Nurseries in a larger map.

Dane County Winter Farmer's Market

Pat Fischbeck — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:33:07 +0000

Many of the guests at The Speckled Hen Inn enjoy the Dane County Farmer’s Market in the warmer seasons but few realize that the market is open in the winter also. From January 3 until April 11, 8:00 AM to noon, the market is indoors at the Mifflin Street Senior Center. Listed below are the things that you can find and enjoy at the winter market.

Wondering what you can find at the DCFM Winter Market? Here’s a listing to help guide you.

Fruit
Apples; Cider; Jams, jellies, and preserves; Pears; Pear and apple butters; Raspberry products

Stored Vegetables
Carrots, Garlic, Potatoes, Shallots, Turnips

Fresh Vegetables
Chard, Greens, Kale, Lettuce, Micro-greens, Radish, Spinach, Tomatoes

Meats
Beef, Bison, Brats and sausage, Chicken, Conventional and special cuts, Emu, Ground beef, Highland beef, Jerky, Ostrich, Pork, Roasts, Turkey, Steaks

Decorations
Bison products, Emu products, House plants, Orchids, Ostrich products, Potted flowers

Cheeses
Flavored cheeses, Goat cheese, World-class aged cheeses, Fresh cheese curds

Baked Goods
Flat breads, Biscotti, Cheesecake, Pastries, Cinnamon rolls, Sweet breads, Torts, Cookies, Muffins, Panettone, Sourdough bread

Specialty Items
Mushrooms, Maple syrup, Wool products, Candles, Honey, Pesto, Vinaigrettes, Eggs, Hot sauces, Flavored sea salt, Goat milk soap, Salsa, Yarn, Sheepskins, Hides and leather, Soups, Pasta sauce, Fresh-ground whole wheat flour, Herbal vinegar

The market vendors are also a great source for recipes using their products and many offer delicious samples.

Farmers

Last Minute Holiday Shopping in Madison

Pat Fischbeck — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 21:16:00 +0000

Everyone has to eat. So, it just makes sense that gifts of food are always welcome. There are lots of places in Madison where you can pick up fabulous local foods to suit everyone on your shopping list.
Wisconsin is all about cheese and there is a lot to choose from. Stop in Fromagination on the capitol square to get your imagination going. Or visit and sample your way through the artisan cheeses at Carr Valley Cheese in Middleton. The tiny, tiny cheese store in Paoli is tons of fun too. Not too far from the Speckled Hen Inn you will find Mouse House and Ehlenbach’s Cheese Chalet. Have someone take your picture with the huge cow to prove that you were really there.

If you have someone who loves to cook on your list, stop in Penzy’s spice store on University Avenue. Their double vanilla is divine and the variety of pepper and the mills to grind it is excellent. It is a Holiday treat for your nose just to walk into the shop. Next door, there is a cookware store that will actually sharpen your knives while you wait and next to that there is a shop that sells all kinds of wonderful vinegars and oils. If you need something to finish off a food gift basket, Whole Foods is right across the street.
Chocolate lovers will long remember any gift of truffles from Gail Ambrosious Chocolatier. Coffee lovers might appreciate the freshly roasted beans from Victor Allen, Steep and Brew, or Ankora Coffee Roasters. Everyone loves pasta. The fresh pasta from RP’s is excellent.
We will be happy to help guests at The Speckled Hen Inn find the perfect gifts for all those question marks on their shopping list. One final suggestion: How about a Speckled Hen Inn Gift Certificate tucked into a copy of a Wisconsin Bed and Breakfast cookbook? We can make it happen.