My world is at the eastern edge of California's Sacramento Valley. Not quite on the valley floor but not really the Sierra Foothills, Hubby likes to call it the "toe hills".
One of the great things about this area is its variety of locally grown food.
In the Summer you can find a Farmer's Market any day of the week, and there are two year around markets. While the variety may not be as great in the winter months it puts the cook in touch with the rhythm of the seasons and encourages one to try cooking what is currently growing. With the coming of spring, the number of vendors has increased here at the Auburn market, open Saturdays year 'round.
While most of the vendors feature produce and goods from Placer or the adjoining counties, Rodriguez comes from Watsonville on the coast. It's about 200 miles, not close but a lot closer than most grocery stores get their food.
With its marine influence, it is hard to beat the quality and variety of food grown there.
If citrus is what you crave, though, you can't beat Placer grown mandarins! Mine don't come from the market but from my own garden.
So what can you find besides veggies? Well, how about some fresh picked mushrooms?
Or some freshly baked bread.
Pistachios, locally grown, in the shell, flavored or turned into a spread.
Olive oil in several flavors. Dedrick's features cheese from north of San Francisco as well as imported cheeses.
Tired of chicken eggs? How about turkey or duck eggs?
We don't eat much meat but most of what we do eat comes from my friend Bob at Coffee Pot Ranch. The beef is all grass fed and lean. All of the meat is hormone and antibiotic free. I've been out to the ranch and seen how well treated the animals are.
Wine? Of course. This is California after all and not all of the wine comes from Napa or the Central Coast. There are plenty of fine wineries in the foothills.
If you don't want to wait until you get home with your purchases to eat, well how about some pizza. Not in the mood for pizza? There is also a vendor selling fresh hummus and pita, another with samosas and other Indian food and of course Mexican food is also on offer.
One rancher even brought his livestock. This man sells skin products made from emu oil! He assured me this gal would never be turned into "product". She has a name and once named the animals are safe. At least until old age makes them unproductive breeders.
You can see more of our wonderful world at Our World, Tuesday.
