Article by Lotus Fong
During the holiday months, adult Americans will typically gain 1 or 2 pounds. But as we are fortunate to live in the land of sustainable farming and amazing drink, I’d venture to guess that Sonoma residents may gain a wee bit more.
For many of these holiday gatherings, good company, tasty food and refreshing beverages are mixed, combined and swirled. Even the neighborhood curmudgeon may find themselves slipping into the silver lining of the season.
As most parties or dinners are planned, we have time to gather our favorite family or cookbook recipes. But what about the get togethers that you haven’t been invited to yet? We’ve all been there… a last-minute call, prompts you to rush out to the store aisles dropping loosely associated products into the cart that “might work”. While this is always exciting, and sometimes creative, it’s not always as good as it can be but I’ve found another way. Keep a food arsenal at home – a few ready “treats” from local purveyors. For me, life is emotionally richer when I support our neighbor food makers. And while it costs a bit more, it also means I get to share fresh ingredients grown with care as well as help keep a cheese maker’s lights on.
There are a little over 3,000 farms in Sonoma County. Like many, I am trying to make the monthly finances work. Pocketbooks are limited but for me, a little surprise sprinkled in makes a difference psychologically, emotionally and physically.
When thinking about what to bring to an impromptu event, I consider my audience – mostly, I think about the party host and their food preferences. My goal as a guest is to satisfy the eating style of the host(s) while staying true to myself. Omnivore? Vegetarian? Vegan?
For omnivores, I keep pate from Woodlands Charcuterie (https://woodlandscharcuterie.com) in the freezer. Their pates are rich, complex, meaty, spreadable decadence. Whether it’s their grand mère’s pate or duck liver maitake pate or duck rillette, they are all delicious and well worth the calories.
For my vegetarian friends, I buy fresh mozzarella or Estero Gold from the Valley Ford Cheese and Creamery http://www.valleyfordcheese.com). Another great choice is California Crazy Curds from the Achadinha Cheese Company (https://www.achadinha.com) in Petaluma. Or block cheeses like cheddar from Petaluma Creamery (https://www.springhillcheese.com ).
For the vegans in my life, I get cured olives and seasonal vegetables from Andy’s Produce Market in Sebastopol (https://andysproduce.com ). I choose the vegetables by color and texture. Then, after a quick blanche, ice, drain, the prep is completed. A purchased dip later, I’m ready to go.
For home get togethers, I sometimes add crackers and flowers along with the food stuffs onto a serving platter on my charcuterie board. I’m lucky to have a beautiful, 4’ wood board had crafted by our friend, Scott Robinson, who is the maker/owner of Wolf Star (https://www.wolfstarww.com).
Splurging for delicacies is an absolute, indulgent luxury. I am very thankful to live in the breadbasket of the bay area that some call the Provençe of California. However, lingering in the back of my mind is an acute awareness that many don’t have enough. When I was quite young, my mother told me, “Remember those who have nothing”. She wanted me to be grateful for what I had and most importantly, to share it. To break bread with others inherently provides sustenance to the body and soul. It is an act of survival as well as an act of love. For me, sharing is an act that needs to be repeated often and freely. And to do this with local ingredients is an absolute privilege.
