Cook a Holiday Feast: 3 Recipes to Eat Local This Holiday Season

You can eat locally, lower your food’s carbon emissions and save money while serving up a festive holiday meal.

By Pieter Dijkstra
November/December 2008
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The holidays are a time to give thanks and celebrate the harvest. Honor our relationship with the earth by fixing a feast that's light on the land.
Photo By Joe Lavine
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We put more carbon into the atmosphere by eating than we do by driving. That distressing news—based in part on how far food travels to reach our plates—has many cooks exploring “low-carbon” diets that call for eating less meat and dairy, and buying local whenever possible. When the holidays approach, it’s tempting to call off any type of diet in the spirit of the season, but you don’t have to. These delicious, low-carbon recipes—crowd favorites at A Spice of Life Catering in Boulder, Colorado—make a solid base for a delicious meal just like Grandma might have made.

Chicken Roasted with Thyme 

Chickens don’t emit huge amounts of methane (the gas cattle produce that contributes to global warming), and they require only 2 pounds of grain to produce a pound of meat, compared with about 6 pounds of grain for a feedlot cow and 3 pounds for a pig. Choose free-range chicken (it’s raised more humanely and is actually more nutritious) and local veggies and cream.

Au Gratin Potatoes 

These potatoes are simple to make and always please a crowd. 

Mushroom Bread Pudding

Finding a local source for mushrooms goes a long way toward lowering your holiday meal’s carbon footprint. 

Pieter Dijkstra is chef de cuisine for A Spice of Life, a green catering company in Boulder, Colorado. 

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Archived Comments

  • Emily Morrison 11/21/2008 7:06:25 AM

    I am an old woman, living in Senior Housing, HUD assisted. Have you ever done Natural Home issues on apartment living where you don't have much opportunity to affect your surroundings.
    For example, I have measured that it takes a gallon of water from the kitchen tap before it is hot enough to do dishes. I saw where there is a "under the sink" unit that pre-heats the water and would be an answer.
    I did bring the problem not the sink unit to management's attention, got nothing back, for we are a low income housing complex and the word usually is "we don't have the money" and that is true for me, as well. Living green on low income.
    Well, if you have ever focused on this problem and can direct me to issue date and number, I might be able to obtain it through the library.
    Thank you. I would ask you not to publish my name.

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