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 [...]
Call it Bloomfield 2.0, Bloomfield Reborn or the Return of Bloomfield: Bloomfield Farms is back. For fifteen years, the farm--eighty acres hidden in plain view near the intersection of Roblar and Valley Ford Roads in Bloomfield--thrived. Under the direction of Mike Collins, one of the world’s leading permaculture authorities, the [...]
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 [...]
When you prepare polenta in a slow cooker, flavors and textures blossom deliciously. Here's a link to the technique from the Seasonal Pantry archives.
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 [...]
For reasons that remain a mystery to me, only half of today's Seasonal Pantry, which you can read here, was published. Here's what is missing. Later today, I'll have photos from the July 11 water tasting so be sure to check back. Rethink Your Drink Waters There are [...]
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 [...]
How can you tell you’re shopping at Beet Generation Farm’s market stall? First, there’s the beautifully arranged produce, each item so pretty and pristine in its own basket. Then there’s the produce itself, curly-cue shaped cucumbers, tiny Padron chiles, salad greens so fresh they look like they grew right in [...]
In today's Seasonal Pantry, which you can read here, I talk about Romanesco zucchini and promise to post a photo, so here you go. This zucchini can also take the place of pasta. Using a mandoline, you can slice it into long thin ribbons that [...]
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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.