Page 49 - Sonoma County Gazette 12-2019

The Perfect Holiday Gift
By Kelly Smith
No matter which holiday you celebrate this time of year, we can all agree it’s
a time to show gratitude and appreciation to our loved ones with gifts from our local Sonoma County businesses. This year I’m way ahead of the game with homemade jarred tomato puree made from tomatoes I got from The Patch in peak season. I am pairing it with pasta made from California grains which I get from The Silo, a farmers’ market vendor who sells package free grains and pasta’s. I will dry fresh Oregano from my garden and add in garlic from Krout’s Sunset Ranch. Rick Krout prides himself on many varieties of garlic and has a vast knowledge of each one.
Each basket will have something to enhance the flavor or add an extra touch to the meal and will be catered to the receiver’s unique taste. Now I get not everyone has the time, know-how or passion to create a basket with such detail but since the greek mythological times, a horned shape basket called a Cornucopia filled with fruits and vegetables has been a symbol of abundance. This is my inspiration for my choice of gift for family and friends.
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* INFO: communityfarmersmarkets.com/markets ** YEAR-ROUND
SATURDAY:
Oakmont Certified Farmers’ Market ~ 9a – 12p, at the Wells Fargo parking lot corner of White Oak and Oakmont Dr. 707-538-7023**
Santa Rosa Community Farmers’ Market at the Vets Bldg ~ 8:30a-1p Veteran’s Bldg, 1351 Maple Ave, Santa Rosa 415-999-5635 * & **
Santa Rosa Original Certified Farmers’ Market ~ 8:30a - 1p. Luther Burbank Center, 50 Mark West Springs Rd, Santa Rosa. thesantarosafarmersmarket.com 707-522-8629**
SUNDAY:
Sebastopol Farmers’ Market ~ 10a -1:30p Sebastopol Plaza, Downtown Across from Whole Foods Market sebastopolfarmmarket.org **
The Springs - 10a-2p, through Dec. 15th on the Plaza at Boyes Blvd. and Hwy 12 next to the Post Office, CalFresh. *
Windsor Certified Farmers Market - 10a-1p, through Dec. 8th. Rain or Shine, Windsor Town Green, McClelland Dr. windsorfarmersmarket.com
TUESDAY:
Petaluma East Side Farmers’ Market ~ 10a -1:30p, Year Round, Lucchesi Park, 320 N McDowell Blvd, Pet. communityfarmersmarkets.com; 415-999-5635 info@ communityfarmersmarkets.com**
WEDNESDAY:
Santa Rosa Community Farmers’ Market at the Vets Bldg ~ 9a - 1p, Veteran’s Bldg, 1351 Maple Ave, Santa Rosa 415-999-5635 * & **
Santa Rosa Original Farmers’ Market ~ 8:30a - 1p. Luther Burbank Ctr, 50 Mark West Springs Rd, Santa Rosa. thesantarosafarmersmarket.com 707-522-8629 **
THURSDAY:
Petaluma Farmers’ Market Pop Up Shop ~ 2p-8p, 151 Petaluma Blvd S Petaluma facebook.com/PetalumaFarmersMarket
FRIDAY:
Sonoma Valley Certified Farmers’ Market ~ 9a - 12:30p, Arnold Field, 241 First St West (across from the Depot Hotel.), Sonoma 707-538-7023, svcfm.org**
Cornucopia is derived from two Latin words “cornu” meaning horn and “copia” meaning plenty. Cornucopia can be interchanged with Horn of Plenty but around my house, we prefer to say Cornucopia because of it so much fun to say. Originally a goat horn was used and filled with fruits and grains which would be placed in the center of the table during fall or winter holiday feasts.
The story of the goat horn came from the story of Zeus, the father of Gods and men. Zeus had to be hidden in a cave so his cannibal father didn’t eat him. While hiding in the cave, a goat named Amalthea watched over Zeus. Her horn was accidentally pulled off by young Zeus. Zeus promised the horn would always bring her what she wanted and being a goat, Amalthea wanted an abundance of fruits and vegetables.
I know the story isn’t very holiday-ish but “The Horn of Plenty” has become a holiday staple in the U.S. and in Europe for many years. I encourage you this holiday season to create your own version of a Cornucopia, which we often use as a term to express abundance of something, and give it to those you cherish. It’s easy at the farmers’ markets. You can design it around a meal like I am doing or gather fruits and vegetables to deliver to someone
to enjoy. You can even add in some chocolate because almost everyone loves chocolate. I hope everyone will have an abundance of happiness this season.
Christmas Eve Veggie Lasagna
Ingredients
3 medium-size zucchini
1 clove of garlic
1 small onion
Lasagna Noodles (enough for 3 layers) 16oz tomato sauce (can be homemade or jarred)
2 cups ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
(NOT pre-shredded, it will be too dry)
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
Directions - Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Coat your baking dish with oil spray and set aside.
Cook your lasagna noodles according to the package. While those are being cooked you can start on your zucchini.
Slice zucchini to 1/8 inch thick slices.
Sauté in a cast iron pan onions, garlic, and zucchini until cooked. Add sauce to the pan and heat up to a simmer. Then set aside.
Lay cooked noodles on a paper towel and pat them dry.
Build the lasagna first with a layer of noodles, then a layer of sauce,
then another layer of noodles, then a layer of ricotta cheese, another
layer of noodles and top with the rest of your sauce.
Add mozzarella cheese and then parmesan cheese.
Cover with foil and bake for 30 mins. Remove foil and bake for 15
more minutes to create a golden-brown crust on top.
You can make this ahead and store in the refrigerator until it’s time to put in the oven.
Kelly Smith • Agricultural Community Events Farmers Markets, North Bay Farmers’ Markets • communityfarmersmarkets.com 501(c)5 Nonprofit PO Box 113 , Kenwood
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