2015: In today's Seasonal Pantry, I explore shrubs, an increasingly popular category of beverage with history that extends back to pioneer days. You can read that column here. In today's Seasonal Pantry, which you can read here, I talk about apricots, with recipes for Chicken Kababs with Onions, Bacon, [...]
This year our beloved Gravenstein apple came on strong and fast. The crop is down because of warm weather in January, early drought and then rain right during bloom. If you love Gravensteins, don't miss this weekend's Gravenstein Apple Fair.
The Patch of Sonoma was the first farm with figs this season. Fresh Fig Chutney • Makes about 2 1/2 cups In the United States, we typically think of cooked chutney like Major Grey's when we think of chutney. But there are many styles of chutney, some sweet, others [...]
It is blueberry season and what a glorious season it is.
Blueberry season is in full swing in Sonoma County now. After you've eaten your fill of them neat, here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy them.
The Healdsburg Wednesday afternoon market began its 2014 season a couple of weeks ago and even though it is a small market by vendor count it is a big market when it comes to its selection of produce. Autumn's Garden, located on Pine Flat Rd. above Alexander Valley, has what [...]
The Royal Blenheim apricot is probably the most popular variety of apricot. Apricots, as I write in today's Seasonal Pantry, arrived a few weeks earlier than usual this year. This doesn't mean there will be a longer season but rather the opposite; the season will likely conclude earlier [...]
One of our newer markets, the Redwood Empire Farmers Market in central Santa Rosa, features both long-time vendors familiar to us all and some new kids on the block, like Ludwig Farm, located on Ludwig Rd. in southeast Santa Rosa. Ludwig Farm’s specialties are inspired by southern crops; they currently [...]
A bit south of the pretty little town of Occidental, in the forested hills that are increasingly cleared for vineyards, there is an oasis of history, a two-acre orchard of 200 apple trees and 100 pear trees. Yet Bella Ridge, as both the orchard and the region are [...]
The Frates Rd. entrance to Green String Farms is lined with olive trees and rose bushes planted in wine barrels. The Adobe Rd. entrance takes you through fields of crops punctuated by trees, marigolds and other flowers, past a large chicken coop filled with happy laying hens and a few [...]
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Have trouble remembering what’s in season when? Looking for a favorite recipe from the Seasonal Pantry or Pairing archives? Michele Anna Jordan, Press Democrat columnist, chef, teacher and author of almost 20 books, draws from 17 years of columns and articles for seasonal suggestions, recipes and menus and tips on exactly where to get the finest local foods at their peak moment. And, yes, she takes requests. Just name the dish or even a few of the ingredients and, like magic, you’ll find the recipe here in no time. Any questions related to ingredients, cooking, nutrition and eating are welcome.