Sitka Platters

Swiss buttercream with Shelby Williams by KCAW

Living in Alaska has its drawbacks, and for Nina Vizcarrondo specifically, access to food is a big one. But she and others have found a work-around.

“We Swiss people eat a lot of cheese” Jeanette Farah says. “It’s good to share my little bit of Switzerland with somebody else."

"Kale grows really well in Sitka," Renee says. "It doesn’t get that cold so you’ll have these enormous kale plants. Kale in December will be kind of tough. But, if you massage it, it’ll still be good."

In an episode of “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” the lead, Kimmy, takes issue with the phrase “The World Is Your Oyster.” An unsophisticated white girl from Indiana who has lived in an underground bunker for the last 10 years, “Why can’t the world be my noodles and butter?” she asks. I hear you, Kimmy. I’d live on top of spaghetti if I could. But after spending an afternoon with chef Edith Johnson as she rolls out homemade fettuccine that melts in your mouth, I’m not sure noodles and butter will suffice anymore.

On the morning I meet with Lisa Sadleir-Hart to make homemade yogurt, I’m a little frazzled. It’s early, I’m not sure if this is the right house, what sound does yogurt make, anyway? I take my shoes off and walk into her quiet, dimly lit home, sunlight pouring in from the kitchen windows. And I’m forced to relax. Because Lisa isn’t just making yogurt. She’s doing yoga.

“That’s how I love people. I make them food. And cookies are something that anybody can appreciate.”

Jerry Fleming has a recipe for you. Something you can’t get just anywhere- king salmon bellies. But Jerry gets them delivered to his door in massive bags. And then he just gives them away.