Page 53 - Sonoma County Gazette - January 2020

Lucky Foods for a NEW Year!
By Kelly Smith
It’s that time when we all make commitments to our new year’s resolutions. I’ve given up on creating new goals at the beginning of the year. Every day is a new day and a great day to start on a new goal, new year or not. What I really need in my life is some luck! So, I thought I would research lucky foods for the new year and make a list of all the ones you can find at your local farmers’ market.
I don’t want to discourage anyone from having resolutions especially if one of your goals is to eat healthy and support your local food system as well as the local economy. Think of the luck you will be invoking as you eat!
Lucky Foods across the Planet: Pork is considered lucky in some countries including Cuba, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, Austria because in most of those countries the pig symbolizes progress. It is believed that the animal never moves backward as it pushes forward it’s snout to the ground foraging for food. So, rejoice in having bacon or pork chops in the new year.
Second on the list of fortuitous foods is round fruits. Yes, round fruits including oranges are held in high regard around the globe because their shape represents a coin and their sweetness and the sweetness of wealth are the common denominator. In the Philippines the custom calls for 13, a lucky number there. In the US and Europe the number is 12 to represent the months in the calendar year.
* 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**
Chinese Cuisine holds number 3 on the list in high regard. A whole fish insures a good year from start to finish. The Chinese word for fish sounds similar to the word abundance, another reason it is a good luck food.
Fourth on the list is Pomegranate. This jeweled fruit is a treasure in Turkey. Their red color, which represents the human heart, denotes life and fertility; their medicinal properties represent health; and their abundant, round seeds represent prosperity.
In the Americas, South and North as well as Europe you’ll find our fifth lucky food which is eaten to encourage prosperity. Leafy greens including Collards, Kale and Cabbage are thought to bring prosperity in the new year if eaten on New Year’s Day. Since they are similar in appearance to paper cash it is believed the more you eat the more prosperous (and healthier) you will be.
Now you have all you need to be happy, healthy and prosperous in 2020. See you at the farmers’ market!!!
Easy Slow Cooker Pork Loin and Sauerkraut
Directions
Place whole pork tenderloin into a slow cooker. Arrange potatoes around the pork; pour the sauerkraut and juice over the pork and potatoes. Add butter cubes, salt, and black pepper. Cook on Low until pork is tender, 8 to 10 hours. Add more water after 8 hours if mixture seems dry.
Kelly Smith • Agricultural Community Events Farmers Markets, North Bay Farmers’ Markets • communityfarmersmarkets.com 501(c)5 Nonprofit PO Box 113 , Kenwood
Ingredients
1 lb whole pork tenderloin 1.5 lb baby potatos
Large jar of saurkraut (make
your own or pick up from a
local fermenter)
1 cup of water
1 stick of butter, cubed Pepper & Salt to taste
Serve with roasted beets or radishes as a side dish
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