Ultimately, food experiences in 2020 were more about taking joy where I found it, rather than seeking the newest, hottest, or best-of. Following are my top-five eats of this year.
My Five Favorite Eats in 2020
Category: Grow Local
To Market, To Market
Weather-wise, things have been just a bit too Seattlesque for my taste this spring. Now that we've (hopefully) seen an end to the seemingly endless rainy, grey days, it's time to get outside and enjoy our fine Bay Area weather. May is one of my favorite months in the 650, not only because our usually … Continue reading To Market, To Market
Field Trip: Another County Heard From
This past weekend I left the 650 behind and took a little road trip north, heading across the Big Red Bridge to Marin County. With unseasonably hot weather and clear blue skies, you would have thought it was mid-summer, not two weeks away from Halloween; nonetheless, it was perfect road-trip weather. Even the usual 19th … Continue reading Field Trip: Another County Heard From
Grow Local: Pick a Pepper
Oof -- last week was full of, well, for lack of a better way to summarize: fixin' stuff. The warranties on the car, household items, and yes, yours truly, are wearing thin. Mechanics, plumbers, and physical therapists are my new BFFs. That's why, when the weekend finally arrived, I was looking forward to doing whatever … Continue reading Grow Local: Pick a Pepper
Field Trip: Webb Ranch Blackberry Fields
One of the items on my Summer Bucket List this year is "blackberry picking at a local farm." Blackberry season here in the Bay Area is rather short, usually running from the end of June until the end of July. If you want to get the best berries (or any berries at all, for that … Continue reading Field Trip: Webb Ranch Blackberry Fields
Cooking from the Garden: Get Stuffed
Recently, while I was sitting in my home office putting together a post for this blog, I heard my elderly neighbor -- the one with the tomatoes -- yelling my name as he came across my driveway to the back door. He'd come over to give me a "zucchini" from his garden. Now that both … Continue reading Cooking from the Garden: Get Stuffed
Grow Local: How Does Your Garden Grow? — Part Deux
Time for the monthly progress report on my little edible garden! (Actually this post should have appeared last week, but the 4th of July holiday delayed things a bit.) We're about 9 weeks along at this point, for those of you playing the home game. Lots of sunshine and more than a few hot days … Continue reading Grow Local: How Does Your Garden Grow? — Part Deux
Grow Local: Got Stone Fruit?
The recent hot, hot days have kicked off the ripening process for stone fruit trees here in the 650. The 75-year-old apricot tree in my backyard is heavy with pale-orange, blush-kissed fruit. Every morning for the past week, I've stood under that tree, looking up and pondering which small treasures to pick for the day. … Continue reading Grow Local: Got Stone Fruit?
Grow Local: How Does Your Garden Grow?
As we're heading into the last weekend of May, it's time for the first update on my attempt to grow food. After just about a month, my little garden is flourishing! To date everything I planted is thriving, and much to my surprise, the lettuce is overflowing the planting boxes. As a comparison, here's what … Continue reading Grow Local: How Does Your Garden Grow?
Shop Local: Palo Alto Farmers’ Market
The Downtown Farmers' Market in Palo Alto is one of my favorite weekend markets in the 650. It's a small market, but with an abundant selection of local produce and hand-crafted foods. For many years it was my go-to market on Saturday mornings from spring through late fall. During the Gâteau et Ganache years, my … Continue reading Shop Local: Palo Alto Farmers’ Market