As days shorten and evenings turn cold, there’s a sense of dismay among those of us who eat seasonally: Summer fruit is over, we sigh. But not to worry, not yet. Gravensteins may be gone and peaches, plums and nectarines are winding down, but there are plenty of melons, grapes, [...]
Tomatoes are glorious this year. They arrived earlier than many of us anticipated and they are lingering deliciously at their peak flavor. Tomorow, there's one more chance to sample a wide range of heirloom varieties for free at the Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers Market, the one in [...]
Hector Alvarez of Hector’s Honey Farm just may be the James Brown of local agriculture. Granted, he doesn’t sport a satin cape or fall to his knees in faux heartbreak. But when you look at his schedule--nine farmers markets a week at the height of the season--it’s hard to argue [...]
For eight years, Jeff Russell has farmed in east Santa Rosa, on Rincon Valley land purchased decades ago by his great aunt. Today, fruit trees--including French prune plums--planted more than a hundred years ago and likely purchased directly from Luther Burbank are still productive. Russell chose Redwood Empire Farm as [...]
Although you wouldn’t realize it by looking at the wooden boxes and bins filled with colorful chiles, cucumbers and eggplant, Tierra Vegetables hasn’t yet hit its 2012 stride. The peak of its harvest is still about three weeks away. “This is due to colder than normal night temperatures about a [...]
As promised in today's Fresh From Our Farmers, which focuses on Dry Creek Peach & Produce and which you can read here, here are some of my favorite peach recipes from the Seasonal Pantry archives. If you have a favorite recipe using peaches, tell us about it in the comment section [...]
In today's Seasonal Pantry, which you can read here, I ask for your favorite ways to enjoy summer's bounty. What do you do with Gravenstein apples, other than eat them? Do you make pesto at home? What is your favorite way to enjoy summer tomatoes? Got a trick [...]
For a few short weeks in mid summer, Berkeley’s Chez Panisse, perhaps America’s most iconic restaurant, serves a single Arctic Gem white peach as its fruit plate. Occasionally, there may be a few berries alongside but more often it’s just an Arctic Gem and a knife. The peach [...]
On Sunday at the Sebastopol Farmers Market, First Light Farm’s stall was brimming with just-picked vegetables, beautifully arranged. One long table featured mustard greens, collard greens, kales and pretty heads of butter lettuce and red leaf lettuce. Another table was piled high with Nantes carrots, red beets and [...]
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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.