Page 51 - Sonoma County Gazette MARCH 2020

Not Your Usual Spring Greens
By Kelly Smith
Seems Spring is coming early this year. February was filled with bright sunny
days bringing us luscious green pastures and patches of what most people think are weeds but I find them nutritious ingredients to add to our dinners or salads. One of those “weeds” I love is stinging nettle. I have been cultivating a little
patch in a nice shaded area of our yard since they’re sometimes hard to find at the farmers’ markets. I do know a few farms that bring them to market and I pick them up whenever I see them. They are great to add to soups, salads and savory baked goods.
Stinging Nettle is found world wide but it’s origin is traced back to Europe, Asia and North Africa. You can find Stinging Nettle all over the U.S. except
for Hawaii. Nettle has been used since 3000 B.C. It was used mostly in textiles throughout the ages. You can find stories of nettles being used for medicinal purposes as far back as Ancient Egypt. Native Americans hold the plant in high regard due it’s medicinal properties.
* INFO: ilovefarmersmarkets.org ** 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. *
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 STARTING JAN 8 NEW LOCATION: Farmers Lane Plaza, 1501 Farmers Ln, Santa Rosa ~ 9a - 1p, 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 **
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**
When cooked the flavor of nettles can be similar to spinach with cucumber. It’s rich in Vitamins A and C, iron, potassium, manganese and calcium. In it’s peak season, nettle contains up to 25% protein, dry weight, which is high for a leafy green. It’s best to harvest the plants when they are young in the Spring. Soaking the nettles in water or cooking them removes the stinging chemicals from the plant. Nettles can be used to make herbal tea. They offer their rich flavor and great health benefits to polenta, pesto and purée. Nettle soups are common in Northern and Eastern Europe. In Greece, young leaves are used, after simmering, as a filling for hortopita, which is a similar to spanakopita.
I am always looking for new uses for stinging nettle. Also, being born on St Patrick’s Day, I’m constantly in need
to find foods that honor the holiday
but are not corned beef and cabbage.
I guess I was scarred by a childhood
of corned beef and cabbage birthday dinners made by my mom. This year we will be serving Boxty an Irish potato scone meets latke. Below is a easy recipe that includes stinging nettle and dandelion greens, another “weed” that is so good for you!
Irish Boxty with Nettle & Dandelion
Ingredients
• 1/3 of pound of potatoes, boiled • • 1/3 of pound of potatoes,
1 small bunch of young stinging nettle
1 small bunch of dandelion greens 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, I like to use sunflower oil
uncooked and grated
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons milk
Directions
• •
1. Blanch stinging nettles and dandelion greens in hot water for 30 seconds. You can add them to the potatoes towards the end of their cooking time.
2. In a large bowl mash the boiled potatoes until smooth.
3. Add the grated uncooked potatoes, blanched nettles, dandelion greens
roughly chopped, salt and flour.
4. Add milk until you have a soft batter. You may need to add more milk de-
pending on your potatoes.
5. Heat oil in a skillet. Add in a large spoonful of potato mixture. Push down
FARM MARKET VENDORS:
with spoon to create a pancake. Repeat until there is no longer room in the
Now’s the time to find the market where you want to see your goods. From fresh and prepared
pan.
6. Cook on Medium High heat for 2-3 minutes.
7. Flip and cook other side. Salt to Taste
Serve with traditional Irish sausage and eggs for a lovely St Patrick’s Day breakfast.
foods to arts & crafts, this is the time to get out in communties, set up a booth and meet customers. FIND a comprehensive list of Farmers Markets on the Sonoma County Farm Trails website. Markets usually begin in May and June, so sign up now to make sure you have a booth reserved.
Kelly Smith • Agricultural Community Events Farmers Markets, North Bay Farmers’ Markets • communityfarmersmarkets.com 501(c)5 Nonprofit PO Box 113 , Kenwood
https://www.farmtrails.org/farmers-markets/
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