Page 53 - Sonoma County Gazette 11-17

Gratitude Stuffed in a Turkey...or Not
By Kelly Smith
As we head towards Thanksgiving, I believe most in Sonoma County agree that we
have lots to be thankful this year. We are all beaming with love for our rst responders and re ghters and everyone who joined in to ease a very di cult situation when
the res erupted on October 9th. Going to the farmers’ market and meeting with your community will be more enjoyable now than ever. Supporting the small farmers and the micro businesses at the farmers market is a wonderful way to help rebuild Sonoma County. We have all su ered a loss and long for the normal.
I chose persimmons this month. As a younger person we often gave fruit to our loved ones during the holidays. Persimmons were always appreciated but a mystery to me. While doing research I was excited to learn more about a persimmon native to America. I thought I would share this information with you.
The genus name for persimmon literally means “Fruit of the Gods.” Two species of persimmon (Diospyros) have signi cance as fruit crops: The kaki, or Asian persimmon, was the most widely grown fruit in East Asia until the 20th century. The American persimmon was relished by Native Americans, but has never been embraced as a commercial fruit crop because many cultivars are too soft for commercial shipping. These species are similar in many ways, but the American persimmon is more cold- hardy, with some cultivars hardy to Zone 4 (though ripening can be a problem). It is also softer and dryer than the kaki, but has a richer avor. American persimmon is also higher in nutrients like vitamin C and calcium.
The following describes the American (Virginiana) variety, unless speci ed otherwise. Persimmon trees are usually dioecious (either male or female), but some have complete owers that make them self-fruitful. They are somewhat unique in that sexual expression can vary from year to year. Trees remain dormant longer than most fruit trees, and blossoming is relatively late in the season and rarely damaged by late-spring frosts.
American persimmon are high in soluble tannins until they are thoroughly ripe. Unripe fruit is extremely astringent, but throughly ripened fruit is sweet and delicious (though some may not like the soft, pudding-like texture). Persimmons can be eaten fresh, dried or cooked into pies, cookies and cakes. Native Americans used them in gruel, cornbread and pudding.
As the name suggests, American persimmon is a native fruit. Its native range is New England to Florida and west to Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Kansas. Kaki has had centuries of improvement through breeding, but American persimmon has had very little breeding attention. Most of the named cultivars are chance seedlings. There is much room for cultivar improvement through selective breeding.
Mostly what we see at the farmers’ markets are Japanese varieties including: Fuyu and Hachiya. Fuyu is sweet less astringent and can eaten raw where the Hachiya you will want to use in cooking due to it’s stringent avor.
Persimmon & Sage Stuf ng
• 8 cups of sour dough bread, cubed (1/2 loaf) • Olive oil
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
• 2 shallots, minced
• 4-5 celery stalks, trimmed and thinly sliced • 2 medium leeks, cleaned and thinly sliced • 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 fresh sage leaves, chopped
• 3/4 teaspoon dried or fresh thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 cup low-sodium vegetable or chicken stock • 3/4 tablespoon salt
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 3 ( rm) fuyu persimmons, cubed
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Add sliced squash to a to bowl and toss with oil and sea salt. Then arrange in a
single layer on baking sheet.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes, ipping once at the halfway point to ensure even
baking. You’ll know it’s done when fork tender, golden brown, and slightly
caramelized.
4. While squash is baking, prepare dressing by adding tahini, lemon juice, and
maple syrup to a small mixing bowl. Whisk to combine, then add hot water 1 Tbsp at a time and whisk until pourable. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
5. To serve, arrange baked squash on a serving dish and top with dressing, pomegranates, walnuts, and parsley. Serve warm.
L
.
L
bL.eI.nFe.Efi.t(sLospcaelnItnactepnatirvtiecifpoartFinogodm&arEkceotsno(EmBTy)), mdoaltlcahr-efosrc-udsotlolamr,eurps’tCoaalfr$e1s0hor $20
.
mbeanxeimfitusmsp,deneptaetnpdainrtgicoipnatthinegmmaarkrkeet.tPsa(ErtBicTi)p,adtoinllgarM-foar-kdeotsllamra,urkpetdowai$t1h0: or$20
I
I.
.F
F.
.
E
E
.
.(
(L
Lo
oc
c
a
al
l
I
In
n
c
ce
en
nt
t
i
i
v
v
e
ef
Go to farmersmarketlife.org for more information
fo
o
r
rF
Fo
oo
od
d&
&
E
E
c
co
on
maximum, depending on the market. Participating Markets marked with: Go to farmersmarketlife.org for more information
SEASONAL MARKETS: SEASONAL MARKETS:
n
o
om
B B o o d d e e g g a a B B a a y y C C o o m m m m u u n n i i t t y y F F a a r r m m e e r r s s ’ ’ M M a a r r k k e e t t ~ ~ S S u u n n . . 1 10 0 - - 2 2 p p ( ( M M a a y y t t h h r r u u Oct) Bodega Bay Community Center, 2255 North Hwy 1, Bodega
my
B B o o d d e e g g a a B B a a y y C C o o m m m m u u n n i i t t y y F F a a r r m m e e r r s s ’ ’ M M a a r r k k e e t t ~ ~ S S u u n n . . 1 10 0 - - 2 2 p p ( ( M M a a y y t t h h r r u u Bay, 707-875- 9609; bbcommunityassoc@comcast.net; facebook.com/
Oct) Bodega Bay Community Center, 2255 North Hwy 1, Bodega BodegaBayFarmersMarket/
y
)
Bay, 707-875- 9609; bbcommunityassoc@comcast.net; facebook.com/
C C l l o o v v e e r r d d a a l l e e T T u u e e s s d d a a y y F F a a r r m m e e r r s s ’ ’ M M a a r r k k e e t t ~ ~ T Tu u e e s s . . 3 3 - - 6 6 p p ( ( A A p p r r 4 4 t t h h r r u u D D e e c c . .1 19 9) ) 2 2 2 2 5 5
)
m
m
a
a
t
tc
ch
he
es
s
c
c
u
u
s
s
t
t
o
om
me
e
r
r
s
s’
’C
Ca
al
l
f
fr
r
e
e
s
sh
h
BodegaBayFarmersMarket/
N. Cloverdale Blvd, marne@14feet.net cloverdaletuesdayfarmersmarket.
C C l l o o v v e e r r d d a a l l e e T T u u e e s s d d a a y y F F a a r r m m e e r r s s ’ ’ M M a a r r k k e e t t ~ ~ T Tu u e e s s . . 3 3 - - 6 6 p p ( ( A A p p r r 4 4 t t h h r r u u D D e e c c . .1 19 9) ) 2 2 2 2 5 5 com
N. Cloverdale Blvd, marne@14feet.net cloverdaletuesdayfarmersmarket. Gualala Farmers’ Market ~ Sat 9:30- 12:30p, May thru October. Gualala
com
Community Center, Hwy 1, Gualala. 707-884-3726 facebook.com/Gualala-
Gualala Farmers’ Market ~ Sat 9:30- 12:30p, May thru October. Gualala Farmers-Market
Community Center, Hwy 1, Gualala. 707-884-3726 facebook.com/Gualala- Healdsburg Certified Farmers’ Markets ~ Sat. 8:30a to noon & Wed 4p to
Farmers-Market
7p (Jun-Oct) West Plaza Parking Lot N & Vine St. 707-824-8717/ 707 529-
Healdsburg Certified Farmers’ Markets ~ Sat. 8:30a to noon & Wed 4p to 4884, Healdsburgfarmersmarket.org, manager@healdsburgfarmersmarket.
7p (Jun-Oct) West Plaza Parking Lot N & Vine St. 707-824-8717/ 707 529- org
4884, Healdsburgfarmersmarket.org, manager@healdsburgfarmersmarket. Occidental Bohemian Farmers’ Market Fri 4-dusk (Jun-Oct) 3611 Bohemian
org
Hwy. 707-874-8478 facebook.com/occidentalfarmersmarket
Occidental Bohemian Farmers’ Market Fri 4-dusk (Jun-Oct) 3611 Bohemian Petaluma Walnut Park Farmers’ Market ~ Sat 2-5:30p (May-
Hwy. 707-874-8478 facebook.com/occidentalfarmersmarket N N o o v v . . 1 1 8 8) ) P P e e t t a a l l u u m m a a B B l l v v d d S S o o u u t t h h a a t t D D S S t t r r e e e e t t 4 4 1 1 5 5 - - 9 9 9 9 9 9 - - 5 5 6 6 3 3 5 5 i i n n f f o o @ @
Petaluma Walnut Park Farmers’ Market ~ Sat 2-5:30p (May- communityfarmersmarkets.com communityfarmersmarkets.com
N N o o v v . . 1 1 8 8) ) P P e e t t a a l l u u m m a a B B l l v v d d S S o o u u t t h h a a t t D D S S t t r r e e e e t t 4 4 1 1 5 5 - - 9 9 9 9 9 9 - - 5 5 6 6 3 3 5 5 i i n n f f o o @ @ facebook.com/PetalumaFarmersMarket/
communityfarmersmarkets.com communityfarmersmarkets.com Sonoma Golden Park ~ Sat. 9-12p (May- Oct) 19996 7th St. East Sonoma
facebook.com/PetalumaFarmersMarket/
Master Gardeners available. sonomagardenpark.org
Sonoma Golden Park ~ Sat. 9-12p (May- Oct) 19996 7th St. East Sonoma W W e e s s t t E E n n d d F F a a r r m m e e r r s s ’ ’ M M a a r r k k e e t t ~ ~ S S u u n n d d a a y y 9 9 : : 3 3 0 0 - - n n o o o o n n . . ( ( A A p p r r - - N N o o v v 2 2 6 6) ) # #9 9 4 4 t t h h S S t t . .
Master Gardeners available. sonomagardenpark.org Railroad Square Santa Rosa 707-477-8422 wefm.com
W W e e s s t t E E n n d d F F a a r r m m e e r r s s ’ ’ M M a a r r k k e e t t ~ ~ S S u u n n d d a a y y 9 9 : : 3 3 0 0 - - n n o o o o n n . . ( ( A A p p r r - - N N o o v v 2 2 6 6) ) # #9 9 4 4 t t h h S S t t . . Windsor Farmers’ Market ~ Sun. 10a - 1p & Thur 5-8p (Apr-Dec.) Windsor
Railroad Square Santa Rosa 707-477-8422 wefm.com
Town Green, 701 McClelland Dr at Market St, Windsor 707-838-2947
Windsor Farmers’ Market ~ Sun. 10a - 1p & Thur 5-8p (Apr-Dec.) Windsor windsorfarmersmarket.com; www.facebook.com/windsorcertified/
Town Green, 701 McClelland Dr at Market St, Windsor 707-838-2947 windsorfarmersmarket.com; www.facebook.com/windsorcertified/
Year Round Farm-Fresh Food
Year Round Farm-Fresh Food
Oakmont Certified Farmers’ Market ~ Saturday 9a – noon, in the parking lot
at White Oak and Oakmont Drive 707-538-7023
Oakmont Certified Farmers’ Market ~ Saturday 9a – noon, in the parking lot T T h h e e P P e e t t a a l l u u m m a a E E a a s s t t S S i i d d e e F F a a r r m m e e r r s s ’ ’ M M a a r r k k e e t t T Tu u e e s s d d a a y y 1 10 0 a a - - 1 1: : 3 3 0 0 p p, , Y Y e e a a r r R R o o u u n n d d , ,
at White Oak and Oakmont Drive 707-538-7023
L L u uc c c c h h e e s s i i P Pa a r rk k , , 3 32 2 0 0 N N M Mc c D D o ow we e l l l l B Bl lv vd d , , P Pe e t t . . c c o o m m m mu u n n i it t y y f f a a r r m m e e r r s s m m a a r rk k e e t t s s . .c c o o m m ; ;
T T h h e e P P e e t t a a l l u u m m a a E E a a s s t t S S i i d d e e F F a a r r m m e e r r s s ’ ’ M M a a r r k k e e t t T Tu u e e s s d d a a y y 1 10 0 a a - - 1 1: : 3 3 0 0 p p, , Y Y e e a a r r R R o o u u n n d d , , 415-999-5635 info@communityfarmersmarkets.com
L L u uc c c c h h e e s s i i P Pa a r rk k , , 3 32 2 0 0 N N M Mc c D D o ow we e l l l l B Bl lv vd d , , P Pe e t t . . c c o o m m m mu u n n i it t y y f f a a r r m m e e r r s s m m a a r rk k e e t t s s . .c c o o m m ; ; Santa Rosa Community Farmers' Market at the Vets Bldg ~ Wednesday
415-999-5635 info@communityfarmersmarkets.com
9a - 1p and Saturday 8:30a-1p Veteran’s Bldg, 1351 Maple Ave, Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa Community Farmers' Market at the Vets Bldg ~ Wednesday 415-999-5635 info@communityfarmersmarkets.com
9a - 1p and Saturday 8:30a-1p Veteran’s Bldg, 1351 Maple Ave, Santa Rosa
S S a a n n t t a a R R o o s s a a O O r r i i g g i i n n a a l l C C e e r r t t i i f f i i e e d d F Fa a r r m m e e r r s s ’ ’ M M a a r r k k e e t t ~ ~ W W e e d d n n e e s s d d a ay y a a n n d d S S a at t u u r r d d a ay y
415-999-5635 info@communityfarmersmarkets.com
8:30a - 1p. Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, 50 mark West Springs Rd,
S S a a n n t t a a R R o o s s a a O O r r i i g g i i n n a a l l C C e e r r t t i i f f i i e e d d F Fa a r r m m e e r r s s ’ ’ M M a a r r k k e e t t ~ ~ W W e e d d n n e e s s d d a ay y a a n n d d S S a at t u u r r d d a ay y Santa Rosa. thesantarosafarmersmarket.com 707-522-8629
8:30a - 1p. Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, 50 mark West Springs Rd, Sebastopol Farmers' Market ~ Sunday 10a -1:30p Sebastopol Plaza
Santa Rosa. thesantarosafarmersmarket.com 707-522-8629
Downtown Across from Whole Foods Market sebastopolfarmmarket.org
Sebastopol Farmers' Market ~ Sunday 10a -1:30p Sebastopol Plaza 707- 522-9305 facebook.com/Sebastopol-Farm-Market-115479670123
Downtown Across from Whole Foods Market sebastopolfarmmarket.org
S S o o n n o o m m a a V V a a l l l l e e y y C C e e r r t t i i f f i i e e d d F F a a r r m m e e r r s s ’ ’ M M a a r r k k e e t t ~ ~ F F r r i i d d a a y y 9 9 a a - - 1 1 2 2 : : 3 3 0 0 p p, , i i n n t t h h e e A A r r n n o o l l d d
707- 522-9305 facebook.com/Sebastopol-Farm-Market-115479670123 Field parking lot at 241 First St West, Sonoma 707-538-7023 svcfm.org
S S o o n n o o m m a a V V a a l l l l e e y y C C e e r r t t i i f f i i e e d d F F a a r r m m e e r r s s ’ ’ M M a a r r k k e e t t ~ ~ F F r r i i d d a a y y 9 9 a a - - 1 1 2 2 : : 3 3 0 0 p p, , i i n n t t h h e e A A r r n n o o l l d d Field parking lot at 241 First St West, Sonoma 707-538-7023 svcfm.org
Ingredients
Instructions
11/17 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 53