Page 53 - Sonoma County gazette September 2018

Grapes: a different kind of berry
By Kelly Smith
At the farmers’ market you will find all sorts of grapes in season from
Concord grapes to seedless grapes to green grapes. They are great for making jams and jellies, juice, grape seed oil, raisins, currants and sultanas, not to
A grape is a botanically
a berry, of the deciduous woody vines of the flowering plant genus
Vitis. Grapes started being cultivated in the Middle East 8000 years ago. Today, 72 million tons of grapes are grown each year worldwide, mostly to produce wine.
Of that amount 109.1
million boxes were grown
in California in 2017. The grape growers have been reaching a milestone of
table grape production over the past 6 years growing approximately the same amount each year. That number converts to 1.81 billion dollars, according to the California Table Grape Commission. California ships table grapes to over 59 countries each year.
Grapes offer many health benefits including help to protect against cancer, eye
problems, cardiovascular disease, and other health conditions. Resveratrol is a key nutrient in grapes that may offer aid to health benefits. Grapes are suitable for people with diabetes, as long as they are accounted for in the diet plan. This delicious fruit also contains fiber and potassium which can help support a healthy heart and lowering blood pressure. Fiber along with water in grapes can keep bowel movements regular and reduce risk of constipation. The high water content is also great of hydration. A little known fact is that grapes can help with allergies. Because of the anti-inflammatory effects of quercetin, some suggest that consuming grapes may help alleviate symptoms of including runny nose, watery eyes and hives according to Medical News Today’s website.
Roasted Grapes with Thyme,
Fresh Ricotta, & Grilled Bread
Ingredients
• Grapes
• Olive Oil
• Kosher Salt
• Fresh Thyme Sprigs
• Good Rustic Bread, sliced into 1/2 inch think pieces • Fresh Ricotta
Instructions
mention wine. Although my favorite way to eat them is by popping them off the vine and into my mouth.
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
Bodega Bay Community Farmers’ Market ~ Sun. 10- 2p (May 27, 2018 thru Oct) Bodega Bay Community Center, 2255 North Hwy 1, Bodega Bay, 707-875- 9609; bbcommunityassoc@comcast.net
Cloverdale Farmers Market ~ Tues 3-6:30p Apr 3 - Dec 18, 225 No. Cloverdale Blvd. Empty lot next to Plank marne@14feet.net 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
Russian River Certified Farmers’ Market (Guerneville) ~ Thur 3-7pm, (May Sept. 17.) 5th St, corner of Armstrong Woods Rd. Guerneville,Pegi Ball, 707-481-6800, pegi@thesantarosafarmersmarket. com
Sonoma Garden Park ~ Sat. 9-12p (April 14- Oct) 19996 7th St. East Sonoma Master Gardeners available. sonomagardenpark.org
Valley of the Moon Certified Farmers’ Market ~ Tues.5:30p-(May-
Sept.) Sonoma Plaza, behind City Hall. 453 1st St E, Sonoma, www.
sonomaplazamarket.org/
West End Farmers’ Market ~ Sunday 9:30-2p. May 6 - Oct 28) #9 4th St.
Railroad Square Santa Rosa 707-477-8422 wefm.com
Windsor Farmers’ Market ~ Sun. 10a-1p (Apr 8 - Dec 10 ) & Thur 5-8p (Jun
7- Sep 6) Windsor Town Green, 701 McClelland Dr at Market St, Windsor windsorfarmersmarket.com
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, Sonoma 707-538-7023
svcfm.org
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spread grapes onto a sheet pan. Drizzle with Olive Oil. sprinkle with salt. Lay thyme leaves over top. Toss all to- gether gently with your hands. Place pan in the over for 7 to 9 minutes or until grapes just begin to burst. The shorter roasting time will help keep some grapes in tact.
Heat a grill or grill pan to medium- high. Brush the bread with olive oil and grill until toasty.
Assemble the open faced sandwiches: Spread fresh ricotta over bread. Top with roasted grapes. Discard thyme sprigs.
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