Page 51 - Sonoma County Gazette April 2019

Give Peas a Chance
climb up the trellis in the garden. I also love finding them at the farmers’ market to snack on through out the day. They are great raw but there are
a variety of ways to enjoy them cooked as well. Peas are native to Western
Asia and North Africa. According to Washington State University Extension, archaeologist have unearthed peas in ancient tombs and discovered old literature and drawings that describe peas. The Chinese think Emperor, Shu Nung, discovered pea plants about 5,000 years ago. He was characterized as the “Chinese Father of Agriculture”. Nung explored the country looking for edibles to sustain the populace and plant that might be used for medicinal purposes. Physical evidence of peas was found in Egyptian tombs of the 12th dynasty. Wild peas can still be found in Afghanistan, Iran and Ethiopia. They were first cultivated 10,000 years ago in the Middle East. Approximately 4,000 years ago, pea cultivation had spread throughout Europe and traveled east into India.
L.I.F.E. (Local Incentive for Food & Economy ) matches customers’ Calfresh benefits spent at participating markets (EBT), dollar-for-dollar, up to a $10 or $20 maximum, depending on the market. Participating Markets marked with:
Seasonal Markets
Cloverdale Tuesday Farmers’ Market - Tuesdays, 3pm-6pm, April 2 thru Nov 26, 225 N. Cloverdale Blvd. (Empty Lot Next to Plank Coffee); kjsallan52@gmail.com; cloverdaletuesdayfarmersmarket.com
Gualala Farmers’ Market ~ Sat 9:30- 12:30p, May 26 -Nov 3. Gualala Community Center, Hwy 1, Gualala. 707-884-3726
Healdsburg Certified Farmers’ Markets ~Sat. 8:30a to Noon (May 5 - Nov 24, 2018) West Plaza Parking Lot N & Vine St. 707-824-8717/ 707 529-4884, Healdsburgfarmersmarket.org, manager@healdsburgfarmersmarket.org
Petaluma Farmers’ Market Pop Up Shop ~ 2p-8p Thur. 151 Petaluma Blvd S Petaluma facebook.com/PetalumaFarmersMarket
Petaluma Walnut Park Farmers’ Market ~ Sat 2-5p (May 12-Nov. 17, 2018) Petaluma Blvd South at D Street 415-999-5635 info@ communityfarmersmarkets.com
Windsor Certified Farmers Market opens Sunday, April 7th. Fresh produce, local foods and handmade goods. 10a-1p, Rain or Shine, thru Dec. 8. Windsor Town Green, McClelland Dr.
Year Round Farm-Fresh Food
Oakmont Certified Farmers’ Market ~ Saturday 9a – noon, at the Wells Fargo parking lot corner of White Oak and Oakmont Dr. 707-538-7023
Petaluma East Side Farmers’ Market ~ Tuesday 10a -1:30p, Year Round, Lucchesi Park, 320 N McDowell Blvd, Pet. communityfarmersmarkets. com; 415-999-5635 info@communityfarmersmarkets.com
Santa Rosa Community Farmers' Market at the Vets Bldg ~ Wednesday 9a - 1p and Saturday 8:30a-1p Veteran’s Bldg, 1351 Maple Ave, Santa Rosa 415-999-5635 info@communityfarmersmarkets.com
Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers’ Market ~ Wednesday and Saturday 8:30a - 1p. Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, 50 mark West Springs Rd, Santa Rosa. thesantarosafarmersmarket.com 707-522-8629
Sebastopol Farmers' Market ~ Sunday 10a -1:30p Sebastopol Plaza Downtown Across from Whole Foods Market sebastopolfarmmarket.org 707- 522-9305 facebook.com/Sebastopol-Farm-Market-115479670123
Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers’ Market ~ Friday 9a - 12:30p, in the Arnold Field parking lot at 241 First St West (across the street from the Depot Hotel.), Sonoma 707-538-7023, svcfm.org
By Kelly Smith
One of my Spring time favorites is peas. I’m always excited to watch
Peas were grown in early times mostly for their dry seeds. Along with other beans as well as lentils, these formed an important part of the diet for most people in Europe during the Middle Ages. It wasn’t until the 1600s that it became popular to eat peas “green” or immature and right after they are picked. France and England led the way in eating green peas. New varieties of peas were developed by the English during this time, this is where the “English peas” came from.
Peas are a good source of fiber, folic acid, Vitamin A, C and K and iron making peas a great source for good nutrition. When dried they retain their nutrients. Peas can also be frozen to be used long after the harvest. Peas are planted in early Spring when the soil can be worked. They need a trellis to climb up much like beans and other legumes. Peas offer help to the soil adding nitrogen when turned in after the harvest. That’s just one of the reasons
you will find local farmers like to grow peas. You’ll find peas making their appearance very soon a farmers’ market near you.
Ingredients Smashed Pea Toast
2 cups of fresh peas, blanched
1/2 cup feta cheese, chopped
3 tablespoons of fresh mint leaves, chopped 2 tablespoons of olive oil
Salt and pepper
Rustic bread toasted
1 Egg, fried
Instructions
Combine the peas, feta cheese, mint leaves, olive oil and salt and pepper. Lightly smash in a bowl, then transfer to a blender or food processor. Blend in a food processor until coarsely combined.
Add pea smash to piece of toast and top with a fried egg.
Note: you can replace mint with thyme and lemon zest and add lemon juice to the peas for a different variation.
Kelly Smith • Agricultural Community Events Farmers Markets, North Bay Farmers’ Markets from Marin to Sonoma • communityfarmersmarkets.com, A 501(c)5 Nonprofit PO Box 113 , Kenwood
SPRING opens MORE Farmers Markets - make SURE we have CURRENT information for our readers. SEND to calendar@sonomacountygazette.com
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