Visit a Farm This Winter – Preferably in Sonoma County
It’s really pretty easy to revel in the joys of summertime farmers' stands and markets, lousy with berries and stone fruit, leafy lettuces and perky melons, but if you really want the goodest goods, go right now to a year-round market – or better yet, out into some farm country – near you.
This is where you’ll discover just how much grows at different times of the year, and just how smart nature is about taking care of us, if we pay attention. This year’s late frost means there are still delicious leeks, the requisite and unexpected in the way of pears, apples, a world of amazing citrus…so many root veggies that build the basics of so many cultures and that boast so much nutritional value.
And then there are the pleasures of the stark. Glowing persimmons on dark, bare branches; clipped grapevines where sometimes as early as late January the first mustard flowers flash a blazing yellow, as a hint of winter winding down and spring to come.
And then there is the vast array of delicious meats. Winter is when succulent, buttery Dungeness crab gets plucked from Pacific Coast waters. It’s when cave-aged cheeses, made from warm summer milks hit ripening perfection; when roasts and steaks and chops seem like and eat like a really good idea. It’s when a whole roasted farm chicken ought to be pulled from a blazing oven and brought to the table, surrounded by roasted potatoes, Brussels sprouts, turnips, salsify…and who knows what else.
It’s why I live in Northwestern Sonoma County, where all of the seasons have their purpose and magic, and always, always something really good to eat. What’s growing and delicious down your road?
Freelance copy editor
11yEven in the far northern reaches of California (I'm in Humboldt), we still have great greens and citrus this time of year. Plus our grain farmers and apple orchardists still have plenty of great food. Maintaining a sustainable food system is vital for all of us.
VP & Corporate Controller, Fowler Packing Company
11yDid you really mean to say "lousy with berries and stone fruit" in the first paragraph???
Technology Editor Electronic Design Magazine, Innovator, Sociable Influencer, Provocateur, & Enginerd. Postings here are my own opinions, not my employer's.
11yYou forgot to mention the most important aspect of visiting a farm in the winter - everything you might step in is frozen....
Chief Operating Officer at OWNER
11yNATURE IS SWEET AND GIVES YOU HEALTH. THIS IS IS SIMPLY ENJOYABLE AND VISITS ARE VERY ECONOMICAL
Taking the outdoors to people
11yIm planning a cookout barbecue this evening and your writeup just kicked in a whole new bunch of ideas. I'm gonna chuck some jacketed potatoes into the fire so it cooks with the flavour of the roasted meats on the grill. Nice writing Clark.. it paints good pictures in the mind. I come from a small fishing village and shall visit the place soon just to see whats cooking out there. Cheers