Seven Simple Stress Savers
The holidays are fast approaching and our Orinda Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday to offer a few simple ideas.
Buy early when you see what you like – sweet potatoes, potatoes, carrots, onions and squash all store nicely in a dry, well-ventilated space. Brussel sprouts and apples keep for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
Visit Ernesto Garcia’s booth, from Nuno Farms, where he sells onions and sweet potatoes. With his onions, you can make onion soup, caramelized onion tart, stuffing, focaccia, roasted onions, baked sweet potato, pies and casseroles – all great for the holidays.
Thinking about making a pie? Pick up and prepare your favorite apples to slice, toss with sugar and cinnamon and place in freezer bags – ready when you are to make holiday pies or tarts. Whole, unbaked apple pies can also be frozen and baked right out of the freezer on that special day.
Several vendors sell delicious, ready-to-go baked goods. East Bay Bakery has fabulous lemon bars, crumbles and assorted dessert boxes. Fresh pasta, sauces, raviolis, desserts and ready-to-bake dishes are the Italian Corner’s specialties. Be sure to ask about the gluten-free Eggplant Parmigiana and Arancini.
Hummus and tamales offer plenty of choices for a quick pick-me-up, appetizer or snack. Achadinha Cheese is best known for award-winning farmstead cheeses and also sells goat cheese, fresh feta and a selection of curds – all great choices for your next charcuterie board.
Don’t forget to pick up some holiday beverages. Stop by the Kombucha stand to ask William Tse about the holiday flavors. Nick Wugofski at the Epidemic Ale stand brings some tasty treats for the adults, such as…
Decorate with a Farmers’ Market flare by using bowls filled with nuts and citrus. Pears make a nice display with sprigs of holly down a table runner or use a variety of small winter squash in between some beeswax candles from Pete’s Gold Honey.
Start some of your holiday shopping early. Make your own personalized gift baskets with jams from the Cottage Kitchen, dried fruits and nuts from J & J Farms, honey from Pete’s Gold Honey, coffee beans from Zolo Coffee and cheese from Achadinha Cheese. You can always add some crackers, a fun tea towel, a coffee cup, cheeseboard or a book to complete the basket.
The Orinda Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Orinda Way in Orinda Village.
For more information visit www.cccfm.org, facebook.com/OrindaFarmersMarket and Instagram at OrindaFarmersMarket or call the market hotline at 925.322.6228.
Ernesto Garcia from Nuno Farms is ready with onions and sweet potatoes for your holiday dishes. Onion soup, caramelized onion tart, stuffing, focaccia, roasted onions, baked sweet potato, pies and casseroles are all on the menu!
