Mrs. Meckler's Sugar Shack, with its shelves of provisions operates on an honor system, and every product is chosen to support the local community.

Amanda Smallwood, a second-grade teacher, created a successful granola business as an extension to her successful blog Maple & Thyme, to feed her desire to create along with her love of the culinary arts.

Keith and Liz Schubert opened Schubert Provisions at 353 Washington St. in Braintree in August. The store offers organic, vegan and local products.

Start here to find the South Shore and Southeastern MA, best new local dining and restaurants.

The spicy ginger balances out the sweet carrots for a warming healthy soup. Perfect for a light lunch or a dinner appetizer.

The Red Kuri is my favorite squash variety. Sadly, it's often passed by in favor of the easier-to-peel Butternut or the sensationally sweet Delicata. The Red Kuri has a flavor that is nutty and sweet, reminiscent of roasted chestnuts.

Kabocha is a firm, sweet winter squash that seems almost like a sweet potato with a dash of pumpkin thrown in. Cooking with it results in a rich and creamy sauce or soup.

Kingston micro-homesteader Laurie Sybertz adapts this recipe to suit her guests and larder. She might skip the bacon and use a lump of butter or dollop of oil for vegetarians, eliminate the milk and double-down on the corn broth for vegans, add a chopped hot red pepper or two at the sauté stage for spice [...]