What's In Season ~ Northern California in June + Lovely Cherries

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(Photos Courtesy of Jupiter Images)

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Cherry History

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The cherry is one of the world's oldest cultivated fruits, along with its cousin, the apricot. Cultivation dates back to 300 B.C. and its lineage dates back even farther. The common cherry tree, Prunus avium, is native to the temperate areas of eastern Europe and western Asia and is part of the Rose family. Its name comes originally from the Greek, and in Latin means of or for the birds, due to the birds' obvious love of the fruit. The English word cherry originates from the Assyrian karsu and Greek kerasos. The tree was beloved by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans both for its beautiful flowers and its versatile fruit. Although a different species of cherry was already strongly established in America by the time the first colonists arrived, the new settlers brought along their favorite European variety and eventually cross-bred the two. Today, 90 percent of the commercial cherry crop is grown in the U.S., mostly in Michigan, California, Oregon and Washington. The most popular variety is the Bing cherry, which was developed by Seth Luelling od Milwaukie, Oregon in 1875. It was allegedly named for his Manchurian foreman. There are now thousands of varieties of cherries and most are still picked by hand.
(Info Courtesy of About.com)

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Vegetables

•artichokes

•arugula

•asian greens

•asparagus

•avocados

•basil
•beans

•beets

•bok choy

•broccoli

•cabbage

•cactus Pads

•cardoons

•carrots

•cauliflower

•celery

•chard

•collards

•corn

•cress

•cucumbers

•endive

•fava beans

•fennel

•garlic

•green garlic

•herbs

•horseradish

•kale

•kohlrabi

•leeks

•lettuces

•mushrooms

•nettles

•mustard

•olives

•peas

•purslane

•radicchio

•radish

•rapini

•rhubarb

•scallions

•shallots

•spinach

squash, summer

•tomatillos

•tomatoes
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Fruit and Nuts
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•apricots

•apriums

•avocados

•blackberries

•blueberries

•boysenberries

•cactus Pears

•cherries

•dried fruit

•figs

•lemons

•loquats

•melons

•nectarines

•oranges

•peaches

•plums

•pluots

•raspberries

•rhubarb

•strawberries

•tayberries

•tomatillos

•tomatoes

•walnuts

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P.S. Check out the NRDC and find out what's locally fresh in your area!!!

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What's In Season May + Yummy Blueberries

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Northern California ~

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Happy May Day!!

Blueberries will arrive in late May and I can hardly wait!! Blueberry pancakes, muffins, pies, smoothies, salads, the list never ends! I am going to try and make a few gluten-free/healthful recipes - since my last attempt at this went so well. I still need to research a few more reliable recipe sources. I hope everyone is enjoying this "lovely spring season" and all the wonderful seasonal food that is out there!! 
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Interesting Fact: Of the hundreds of crops grown in the United States today, very few commonly eaten fruits are native to our soils.

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Blueberries and Antioxidant Activity

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* Antioxidants are thought to help protect the body against the damaging effects of free radicals and the chronic diseases associated with aging. Blueberries contain 14 mg of Vitamin C and 0.8 mg Vitamin E per 1 cup of blueberries. The Research Center on Aging (Boston, MA) says that, blueberries are among the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity.Yay, blueberries!!

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Vegetables_
•artichokes
•arugula
•asian greens
•asparagus
•avocados

•basil
•beans
•beets
•bok choy
•broccoli

•cactus pads
•cabbage
•cardoons
•carrots
•cauliflower
•celery
•chard

•cucumbers

•dandelion/chicory

•eggplant

•endive
•fava beans
•fennel
•garlic
•herbs
•horseradish

•kale
•kohlrabi
•leeks
•lettuces
•mushrooms

•mustard
•nettles
•onions
•peas

•peppers (bell and chili)

•potatoes
•purslane
•radicchio

•radish
•rapini
•rhubarb

•scallions

•shallots

•spinach

•summer squash

•tomatoes

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Fruits and Nuts
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•avocados
•apricots

•apriums

•blackberries

•blueberries 

•boysenberries

•cactus pears
•cherries

•dried fruit

•lemons
•loquats

•nectarines

•oranges
•persimmons

•peaches

•plums
•pluots

•raspberries

•rhubarb
•strawberries
•tomatoes

•walnuts
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* Above Information Courtesy of Highbush Blueberry Council
__Photos courtesy of Jupiter Images

What's In Season - April Carrots

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Northern California

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Carrots - available in white, purple and gold, in addition to orange. High in beta-carotene, which is converted in the body to Vitamin A.

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Tip - Store carrots away from apples or pears because they release ethylene gas, which can turn carrots bitter.

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Recipe - Yummy Roasted Carrots

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Ingredients

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12 carrots
3 tablespoons good olive oil
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons minced fresh dill or parsley

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Directions

_Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

_If the carrots are thick, cut them in half lengthwise; if not, leave whole. Slice the carrots diagonally in 1 1/2-inch-thick slices. (The carrots will shrink while cooking so make the slices big.) Toss them in a bowl with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Transfer to a sheet pan in 1 layer and roast in the oven for 20 minutes, until browned and tender.

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Toss the carrots with minced dill or parsley, season to taste, and serve.

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Vegetables

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• artichokes

• arugula

• asian greens

• asparagus
• avocado
• beans
• beets

• bok choy
• broccoli
• cabbage

• cardoons
• carrots

• cauliflower
• celery
• chard

• collards

• dandelion

• endive

• fava beans
• fennel
• garlic
• herbs

• horseradish
• kale

• kohlrabi
• leeks

• lettuces
• mushrooms

• nettles
• onions
• parsnips
• peas

• peppers

• potatoes

• purslane

• radicchio

• radish

• rapini

• rhubarb

• rutabaga

• scallions
• spinach
• turnips

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Fruits

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• avocados

• apriums

• cherimoyas

• cherries

• dried fruit
• grapefruit

• guavas

• kumquats

• lemons

• limes

• mandarins
• oranges
• rhubarb

• strawberries

• tangerines

• walnuts

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Images Courtesy Of Jupiter Images

What's In Season - March + Kiwi Facts

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Northern California

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Kiwi, what a wonderful fruit!! Much like apples and pears, which are available from cold storage well into spring, kiwis are a nice alternative to imported fruit during the winter months. What we now call kiwi or kiwifruit was long referred to as "Chinese gooseberry" in New Zealand, where the fruit flourished after being brought from China early in the last century. In the 1960s, when the then-exotic fruit was introduced in California, it was dubbed the kiwi after the national bird of New Zealand.

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Is Organic Healthier?

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As the debate rages on about whether organically grown food is better for us than the "conventional" produce we have become used to, a new study sides firmly with organic. Scientists found that some organic food is more healthy after tests on kiwi fruit grown by both methods.The American researchers discovered that organically grown kiwis had significantly higher levels of vitamin C and polyphenols - compounds associated with health benefits including reducing cholesterol, improving circulation and preventing cancer. I'm not surprised - just one more reason to go with organic -- when you can!! xx's 
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Vegetables

_•artichokes
•arugula
•asian greens
•asparagus
•avocados
•beans
•beets
•bok choy
•broccoli
•brussels sprouts

•cabbage
•cardoons
•carrots
•cauliflower
•chard
•collards

•cress
•dandelion/chicory

•endive
•fennel
•garlic
•gourds
•herbs
•horseradish

•kale
•leeks
•lettuces
•mushrooms
•nettles
•onions
•parsnips

•potatoes
•radish
•rapini

•rutabaga

•scallions

•spinach

•sunchokes

•turnips

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Fruits and Nuts

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•avocados

•cherimoyas

•dried fruit

•grapefruit

•guavas
•kiwi
•kumquats
•lemons
•limes

•mandarins

•oranges
•pears
•persimmons

•pomelos

•tangerines

•walnuts

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What's In Season - January 2013

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Happy 2013, everyone!! .

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Northern California

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Vegetables
.•asian greens

•avocados

•beans
•beets
•bok choy
•broccoli
•brussels sprouts
•cabbage
•cardoons
•carrots
•cauliflower
•celeriac
•celery
•chard
•collards
•cress

•dandelion/chicory

•endive
•fennel
•garlic

•gourds
•kale
•leeks
•lettuces
•mushrooms

•nettles
•onions
•parsnips
•potatoes
•radish
•rapini
•rutabaga
•scallions
•spinach
•squash, winter

•sunchokes
•turnips
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Fruits and Nuts

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•avocados
•dates
•dried fruit
•grapefruit
•guavas
•kiwi
•kumquats
•lemons
•limes
•mandarins
•oranges
•pears
•persimmons
•pomelos
•tangerines
•walnuts

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(Photos Courtesy of Jupiter Images)

Simple, yet Luxurious ~ Oeufs en Cocotte

Breakfast recipes -- this is my latest find. It looks and tastes amazing and takes very little time and can tweaked to include anything you may have on hand or be in the mood for. Happy Holidays!! xx's

Oeufs en Cocotte (Eggs in Pots)

Eggs and crème fraîche are all you need for this super-simple yet very tasty dish. You can also throw in almost anything savoury you find in your fridge. Try serving it with plenty of crusty bread.

Ingredients

• 5½oz crème fraîche
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• pinch nutmeg
• handful of chopped dill
• 4 free-range eggs

To garnish

• red lumpfish or salmon  roe
• small sprigs of dill
  
  

Preparation method

1. Preheat the oven to 350F .
   
   
2. Season the crème fraîche (homemade recipe below)  with salt, 
   
   freshly ground pepper and a pinch of nutmeg.
   
   
3. Place a heaped tablespoon of crème fraîche in the bottom of a 
   
   ramekin or cup, followed by a little dill.
   
   
4. Crack an egg on top, add a second tablespoon of crème fraîche 
   
   and sprinkle with a pinch each of salt, pepper and nutmeg. Repeat 
   
   with three more ramekins.
   
   
5. Place the ramekins in a baking dish and pour enough lukewarm 
   
   water into the dish to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins.
   
   
6. Bake for 15 minutes or until the egg yolks are set to your liking.
   
   
7. If you like, finish each serving with a teaspoon of red lumpfish roe 
   
   and a sprig or two of dill.
   
   
   
   
   Serve in cup and saucer for a prettier effect.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Homemade Crème Fraîche
   
   
   
   
   1. 1 cup whipping cream mixed with 2 tablespoons buttermilk.
   2. Combine well in glass jar and cover.
   3. Let stand at room temperature (about 70 degrees F.) for 8 to 24 hours, or until thickened.
   4. Stir well and refrigerate.
   5. Use within 10 days.

   Tips:

   1. Use as a thickener for soups or sauces.
   2. Spoon over fresh fruits, puddings or warm cobblers.
   3. Can be used in boiled recipes as it will not curdle.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Recipe via - http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/eggs_in_pots_93154
   Photos Copyrighted to Sabina DeShazo @ barefoot in the orchard
   
   
   
   
   
   

What's In Season - December

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Happy Holidays!! Wherever you are located - try to find something fresh and locally grown to add to your holiday food menu and don't forget to support your local businesses when buying gifts this year!!

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Some Good Info:

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Food grown in your own community was probably picked within the past day or two. It's crisp, sweet and loaded with flavor. Several studies have shown that the average distance food travels from farm to plate is 1,500 miles. In a week-long (or more) delay from harvest to dinner table, sugars turn to starches, plant cells shrink, and produce loses its vitality.

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Northern California

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Vegetables

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•artichokes

•asian greens

•avocados
•beans

•beets

•bok choy

•broccoli

•brussels sprouts

•burdock

•cabbage

•cardoons

•carrots

•cauliflower

•celeriac

•celery

•chard

•collards

•cress
•endive

•fennel

•garlic

•kale

•kohlrabi

•leeks

•lettuces

•mushrooms

•onions

•parsnips

•peppers, bell

•peppers, chili

•potatoes

•radicchio

•radish

•rapini

•rutabaga

•salsify

•scallions

•spinach

•squash, winter

•sunchokes

•sweet potatoes

•turnips

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Fruits and Nuts
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•avocados

•chestnuts

•dates

•dried fruit

•grapefruit

•grapes

•guavas

•kiwi

•kumquats

•lemons

•limes

•mandarins

•oranges

•pears

•persimmons

•pomegranates

•pomelos

•tangerines

•walnuts

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(Photos Courtesy of Jupiter Images)

'Tis the Season of Gratitude and Generosity

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According to the Department of Agriculture approximately 17 million people had trouble putting food on the table this year in the US - 1/2 million of those individuals were children. While you're out buying all the goodies for your Holiday table this year - toss a few items in your basket for your local Food Bank, or go to "Find A Local Food Bank" to find out other ways to donate. Let's have a blogging, facebooking, twittering food drive!! The faces of hunger may surprise you!! Spread a little HOPE & JOY!!

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(Some of the above photos courtesy of Jupiter Images)

Looking For The Perfect Thanksgiving Kids Table?

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I made this Thanksgiving kids table (from Martha Stewart's Living magazine) for the my two nieces back in 1999, before I knew I would have a second set of youngsters to raise and again in 2007. It was a big hit! What can I say except -- it is just a perfect kids table!! 

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Directions
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A miniature Mayflower sets sail on a map tablecloth, while Paper-Boat Place Cards guide young guests to their seats. Paper boats mark each place at a special table just for kids. With some assistance, kids can assemble the boats and write the names on the name-tag sails.

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Directions on how-to are listed below or can be found on the Martha Stewart website.

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1. Fold a 5-by-7-inch piece of construction paper in half along its width, with the folded edge away from you.
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2. Mark the middle of the folded edge. Fold the two top corners in so they meet at the middle and form a triangle with a double-layer flap at its base.
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3. Fold the front flap up to the front; fold the back flap up to the back.

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4. Take hold of the center front and back of the triangle, and pull apart, pushing in the opposite corners so they lie flat against each other to create a diamond shape.
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5. Fold the front and back bottom corners of the diamond up the front and the back, respectively, to meet at the top corner. You should now have an open-bottomed triangle.

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6. Pull the triangle open, flattening the opposite sides against each other as in step 4.

7. Pull the top layer out on both sides to form the hull of the boat.

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8. For a mast, weave a toothpick through a white paper name-tag sail; insert in the center of the boat.

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Trace one boat bottom and two boat sides onto thin cardboard, and trace the sails onto white paper; cut out all the shapes. Form the hull (the body of the boat) by attaching the sides to the bottom with masking tape placed on the inner seams. To make the hull look wooden, trace two additional side templates onto a piece of veneer, and cut them out with a utility knife. Brush the outside of the cardboard hull with white glue, and affix the veneer panels. Glue lengths of 3/8-inch-wide satin ribbon over the seams at the bow and the stern. For the mast, cut a thin wooden dowel to the desired height. Punch holes in the sails (as indicated on the template), and weave the mast through the holes. Fill the ship with fruits and nuts, and insert the mast and sails.To print templates go to the link below:

http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/pdf2/kidtable_mayflower.pdf

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What's In Season - November

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November - Check out your local farmers market or any grocery store that supports local farming -- who knows what interesting/delicious things you might find.

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The following is a rough list of what I might find here in California. Eating seasonally means enjoying the ripest and freshest food at the height of its natural harvest time. It means supporting local farmers who transport their goods the shortest distance to your plate. It also means experimenting with interesting foods you might not otherwise consider adding to a meal!

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Fruit

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•apples

•carambola

•cherimoyas

•citrus:

grapefruits

lemons
tangelos/tangerines
valencia oranges

•figs

•grapes

•guava

•pineapple

•kiwi

•green passion fruit

•peaches

•persimmons

•pomegranates

•quinces

•raspberries

•rosehips

•sapote
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Vegetables

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•artichokes

•asparagus

•basil

•beans, green

•beets

•broccoli

•brussels sprout

•cabbage

•carrots

•cauliflower

•celery

•chard

•chili pepper

•collards

•corn

•cucumber

•eggplant

•greens:

chicory

chard

kale

spinach

arugula

fava

•kohlrabi

•lettuce

•mushrooms

•mustard

•okra

•onion

•peas, black-eyed

•peppers

•potatoes

•squash, summer squash

•winter tomatillos

•tomatoes

•turnips

•yams

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