Showing posts with label local foods. Show all posts
Showing posts with label local foods. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

2015 Hollister Certified Farmers' Market


The farmers' market in Downtown Hollister is open every Wednesday from 3:00 to 7:30 p.m. until September 30. Whooo-hooo! 

The market is on San Benito Street, between Fourth and Seventh Streets. So, from around noon to 8 p.m or so, you'll need to find another way through Downtown Hollister. Truly no big deal for fresh vegetables, fruit, and meats; or for baked goods, prepared food, prepackaged foods, and food cooked on the spot; or for such other items as fresh flowers, plants, clothing, jewelry, and crafts. There are also information booths for products, businesses, and nonprofit groups.





The farmers market again features live music from local talents as well as culinary demonstrations. New this year is the First Wednesday Art Nights, hosted by the San Benito County Arts Council. In the works is wine tasting, also on the first Wednesday of the month. 

For more information about the Hollister Certified Farmers' Market, check out its webpage at the Downtown Hollister Association or the market's Facebook page.


Today is Our World Tuesday, and that's where I'm linking up. Click here to visit other participants from around the world. 

Monday, May 18, 2015

A Cute, Big Honey Bee


The San Benito Gold Honey Bee was holding court at last week's Downtown Hollister Certified Farmers Market.

I'm hooking up with Monday Mellow Yellows today. Check out other participants by clicking here.

Friday, May 15, 2015

Sun Coast Organic Farm Bakery


After a yummy lunch with friends at the 19th Hole Booze and Food in Tres Pinos, the Husband and I decided to take a leisurely drive back to Hollister via Southside Road. It had rained a little bit that morning, so life was refreshingly grand. How grand? By the time we reached the bridge by Thomas Road, I wanted some ice cream. But, neither of us felt like driving to San Juan Bautista.

As we crossed over the bridge, I remembered that Sun Coast Organic Farm made gelato. Whoo-hooo! Within a minute or so, we saw Sun Coast's sign and turned into the driveway. The bakery was open. Again, Whooo-hoo! 


We bought a pint each of handcrafted lemon gelato and blueberry gelato, which we ate at home while watching a Netflix movie. (I tell you it was a perfect afternoon). The lemon gelato had the perfect marriage of tart and sweet in each spoon full. Wowza! The blueberry gelato was delicious, too, with what I thought was a hint of cinnamon.


The bakery sells all sorts of handcrafted breads, rolls, cookies, and other sweet and savory treats. Their racks were nearly sold out. They do their own milling of organic grains, by the way. It's worth the drive to purchase the artisanal goodies. They also sell cups of coffee, so you can sit and enjoy some of your treats, as well as the scenery, on their cute patio.


The Sun Coast Organic Farm Bakery is open on Fridays, from noon to 7 p.m., and Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The gorgeous—and humorous—view from the bakery's patio.


Saturday, May 2, 2015

From the Archives -- The Organic Farm Stand


I'm posting articles from my archives for the next few days. This one is about purchasing fresh organic vegetables from the Pinnacle Organic Farm on Saturdays in 2008, which we still do today. FYI: I edited the original piece.

 If It's Saturday, It Must Be Farm Day
(originally published on October 25, 2008)

We live in an agricultural area where some organic produce is grown. Yet, when the Husband and I moved to Hollister five years ago, one of the things I really missed about living in the big city area was being able to buy organic produce year round. Ironic, isn't it?

Between May and late August, we are fine. The local farmers market comes to downtown Hollister every Wednesday afternoon. It’s a small market, which seems to get smaller each year. The unfortunate thing about farmers markets is that the cost of fruits and vegetables are higher than in the stores. I think it’s worth paying the extra pennies for lettuce, tomatoes, squash, onions, potatoes, apples, artichokes, and so forth to feel, smell, and taste them the way that they are created to be.

A couple of winters ago, we learned that the Pinnacle Organic Farm(part of the Phil Foster Ranches) in San Juan Valley opens it farm stand every Saturday morning. FYI: Phil Foster Ranches sells its certified organic produce to Whole Foods Markets and other grocery shops. The farm stand is open year round, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. It's located on Duncan Avenue, between Bixby Road and Lucy Brown Road.

We go to this farm stand almost every Saturday. Early or late, it doesn’t matter. The produce is fresh. If some things are low, just ask, and they’ll replenish the stock if they have more on hand.

I wrote a note back in September that we had bought potatoes, onions, garlic, yellow cauliflower, watermelon, cilantro, carrots, apples, zucchinis, and a few other things for just over $20. I would've spent much more for the same amount, if I bought the food at a Whole Foods Market.

Other farm stands in the area are Bertuccio's Market/The Farm and Casa de Fruta. Along with produce, which may or may not be certified organic, they sell other food products. Casa de Fruta also offers fun activities for kids and adults.

Today is Saturday. We’re off to the farm.

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Z is for. . .


Zip! Zap! Zee!

The challenge is done. No more thinking in ABC. Hooray!

Tomorrow, we shall be back to regular programming. Which is uhm I dunno.

By the way, there are still a few windmills around Hollister. This one is at the Suncoast Organic Farm on Southside Road, where the Husband and I stopped to buy a pint of yummy lemon gelato. Talk about a zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay taste!


Click here to find other A to Z challenge participants.


Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Llamas in San Juan Bautista

Sure, everyone knows about the wild chickens roaming the streets of San Juan Bautista. But, who knows about the llamas?


Now, did I say they are live llamas?

But, there are live llamas in San Benito County. Oils of Paicines raises llamas on their ranch just north of the Pinnacles National Park. They shear the animals yearly and turn their wool into fiber which they sell.

Back to the llamas in San Juan. If you want to check them up close, here's where you'll find them.



Wednesday, December 24, 2014

The Bakery in San Juan Bautista


 When I was a kid, the Mama would bring home freshly-baked French bread from the bakery in San Juan Bautista once or twice a week. Back then, it was known as the Paradis Bakery. Several owners later, the bakery at 319 Third Street is now called the San Juan Bakery & Grocery. The Husband and I like to stop by now and then to purchase a loaf of French bread for the Mama.

According to the San Juan Bautista Historic District Walking Tour pamphlet, the bakery is housed in the Gardella Building, which was built around 1860. Frank Gardella operated a store and, for his security, kept a parrot, which let him know when he was being robbed. For more interesting facts about the building and other places in San Juan Bautista, check out the pamphlet.

By the way, don't you just like the bakery's festive holiday display? Check out the painting in the left window. Look familiar? (Here's a close up.)


Saturday, November 15, 2014

Stopping at Casa de Fruta


Casa de Fruta is a pit stop haven for drivers, including the men and women who operate those big rig trucks and trailers. Originally opened in 1908 as a fruit stand, Casa de Fruta is located on California Highway 152, several miles northeast of Hollister.

The fruit stand is still there, which sells fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts, dried fruits, jars of olives, bottles of hot sauce, pickled vegetables, and much, much more.  But, if you're hungry for a hot meal or a piece of pie,  head over to Casa de Restaurant. Just want to snack on candy and such, then try Casa de Sweets. Or, if you're not the designated driver, you might consider sampling Casa de Fruta's own wines at  Casa de Wine. The kids can have fun riding the Casa de Carousel and the Casa de Choo Choo, or pan for gold at the Casa de Sluice. If you need a place to rest your head, you can get a room at Casa de Fruta's Peacock Inn or a space at the RV Park.

The Casa de Fruta grounds is a good size, so you can get in a decent stretch if you walk from the fruit stand to the RV Park and back. And, if you walk by the trees on the east side of the choo-choo tracks, you can check out vintage tractors and other farm equipment. 

Oh, yeah, there is a gas station at Casa de Fruta, in which you'll find Casa de Burrito inside.

Today, I'm hooking up with The Weekend in Black and White. To see other B&W photos by bloggers around the world, please click here.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

The Second Annual San Benito Olive Festival


This Saturday, October 11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., is the second annual San Benito Olive Festival, which celebrates the natural beauty and agricultural bounty of our county. I have no doubt that it will be another successful fun and joyful affair that will be attended by hundreds of people from near and far.

San Benito Olive Festival is both the gourmet event and the not-for-profit organization that plans, organizes, and brings the event together. The group's mission is to promote awareness and appreciation of the region's world-class culinary agriculture and premier artisans who make award-winning olive oils, wines, chocolates, Blenheim apricot products, and more. All net profits made from the event are donated to service, educational, and other community groups in San Benito County.


This year, the gourmet celebration is going to be at the gorgeous, historic Bolado Park, which is 8 miles south of Hollister. It's easy to find and reach on Highway 25, whether driving from the north or south.

There will be lots to eat, to drink, to purchase, and to enjoy at the festival. General admission tickets -- $20/adults and $10/children, ages 5-12 -- include the cost of entry to the festival, parking, cooking demonstrations, and entertainment. The $35 VIP ticket grants guests access to the wine tasting tent and five tastings of wine and craft beer from wineries in San Benito, Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara counties. I'm a beer drinker myself, but I would be tempted to taste samples from places with such great names as Alicats Winery, Wild Eye Winery, Lightheart Cellars, and Graveyard Vineyards.


Six celebrity chefs are scheduled to conduct live cooking demonstrations of dishes using olives or olive oil. Starting off will be Chef Eric Carter, Director of the Culinary Arts at Cabrillo College in Aptos, at which the students run the popular Pino Alto Restaurant on campus. Following him will be Chef Dorothy McNett, the popular foodie legend of the California Central Coast, after which the chef duo Gene Sakahara and Sam Bozzo, also known as SakaBozzo, the twins separated at birth, from the Gilroy Garlic Festival will take the cooking stage. Next up will be Chef Mike Fisher, a Hollister native and local caterer who was trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and ending the day will be Chef David Boswell who is the Chef de Cuisine at Yahoo!


It's going to be a toss up for me -- watching the cooking demonstrations or listening to the live bands. I've heard three out of the four that will be performing Saturday, and just the music alone makes me realize what a bargain the festival tickets are for a great afternoon of fun. Festival guests will be hearing a range of music from jazz and big band by Mr. O's Jazz Band, doo-wop by The Flashbacks, and popular rock by Shiloh and The Retrospect.


I could go on and on about the San Benito Olive Festival, but I shall stop here. To learn more, check out the festival's website and read this article that the festival posted at BenitoLink.com.

Today, I shall be hanging out at Our World Tuesday. Come join me by clicking here.


Friday, September 26, 2014

BBQ, Bread, and Honey


Where can you buy some of the best locally-made BBQ, European-style breads, and honey from San Benito County bees?

"Ooo-ooo, I know, I know," she said, waving her arms in the air.

Head for that empty lot on the west side of Highway 25, just before you reach Bertuccio's, which is near the corner of Union Road. Every Friday afternoon,  that lot is occupied by Mansmith's BBQSuncoast Organic Farm Bakery,  and Bray Apiaries. All of the foodstuffs are mighty delicious.

Hmmmm, what's for dinner?


Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Fairhaven Orchards


Just after you pass Flynn Road while driving south on Highway 25, you can see the agricultural sign for Fairhaven Orchards on the right side of the highway. It's another sign put up by the Ag in the Classroom project sponsored by the San Benito County Farm Bureau. If you'd like to see a few others signs, check out this post.

Fairhaven Orchards produces cherries and Blenheim apricots. Located on Bolsa Road (aka Highway 25), the orchards have been owned and run by the Rajkovich Family since 1958. To learn more about Fairhaven Orchards, check out its website and Facebook page.


Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Soul Sweets

Paress Randolph, of Soul Sweets, at the Gilroy Farmers Market

I first learned about Soul Sweets at last year's San Benito Olive Festival when I followed the delightful baking aroma of something mighty delicious to its booth. I didn't get a chance to eat one of their berry cobblers, but the Husband did and he still ooohs when he talks about it. I'll finally get the opportunity now that Soul Sweets will be at the Hollister Farmers Market, starting tomorrow, Wednesday, July 23.

Soul Sweets is based in Morgan Hill. Check out this article about Dawn and Anthony Randolph, the owners, in the Morgan Hill Times. Besides the Hollister Farmers Market, you can find their baked goods at the Gilroy and Morgan Hills Farmers Markets. To learn more about Soul Sweets, head over to their website at www.soulsweets.net, or their Facebook page.

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Cooking Demos at the Farmers Market


This year, the Hollister Farmers Market has added cooking demonstrations, which are given across from the Veterans Memorial Building. Every week is a different theme. So far, local farmers and agricultural organizations have presented ways to prepare artichokes, mushrooms, cherries, stone fruits, corn, and Blenheim apricots. Yum!

The demonstrations are given at 5:30 PM and 6:45 PM every Wednesday during the Farmers Market, which runs from 3 to 7:30 PM. For more info about the Farmers Market, visit this page at the Hollister Downtown Association website.


Thursday, June 26, 2014

Blenheim Apricots


When I was a kid many years ago, Hollister was full of orchards of California Blenheim apricots, the most tastiest apricot around. Today, nearly all of those apricot orchards are gone and only a few local farmers continue to grow Blenheim apricots and produce  dried apricots, apricot jam, apricot syrup, and other artisanal products.

If you're searching for fresh Blenheim apricots, you might contact one of these businesses in Hollister. But, act quickly, the harvest season is almost over.
 

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Coming Up: The 2014 San Benito Olive Festival


Save the Date, Folks: Saturday, October 11, 2014!

That's the day of the second annual San Benito Olive Festival, which will be held at the Bolado Park Fairgrounds. The festival's board members and planners invite food lovers, fans of hometown festivals, and outdoor enthusiasts locally as well as far and wide to celebrate the rich agricultural bounty and rural beauty of San Benito County. This gourmet celebration will feature many local olive oil producers, wineries, artisanal food makers, restaurants, artists, craftspeople,  community groups, and more.  

Early bird tickets are already on sale online at Eventbrite. Here's the page link for ticket information.

If you are interested in volunteering with the planning or becoming a vendor, query to team@sanbenitoolivefestival.com

For more information and updates about the San Benito Olive Festival, check out its website and Facebook page. And, if you'd like to see photos of last year's event, check out the photos stream at Facebook.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

If It's Wednesday . . .

 
. . . then it must be Farmers' Market Day!

The Farmers' Market opens at 3 PM and closes at 7:30 PM. That's plenty of time to purchase some fresh produce, baked goods, sausages, olive oils, honey, and other goodies. You can also pick up dinner at any one of the food booths, if you don't feel like cooking tonight.

Another cooking demonstration will take place at 5:30 and 6:45 PM near the Veterans' Memorial Building. Artichokes will be the star this week, prepared by Pat Hopper of the California Artichoke Advisory Board.

Remember: Free parking is available at the Briggs Building, which you enter by going through the small parking lot next to the Granada Theater on Fifth Street. Also, no pets are allowed at the Farmers' Market.



Wednesday, May 7, 2014

2014 Hollister Farmers' Market


Whooo-hooo! Today is the first day of the 2014 Farmers' Market in downtown Hollister. Fresh vegetables and fruit. Fresh eggs, chicken, and meat. Artisan breads and sausages. Local honey and olive oils. Flowers, crafts, and local goods. BBQ and other restaurant fare. And more!

What more? You'll just have to go down and see for yourself.

Where: San Benito Street, between 4th and 7th streets
When: Every Wednesday, 3 to 7:30 pm, from May 7 to September 24

For more details, check out these sites:
Downtown Certified Farmers' Market, Hollister Downtown Association
Hollister Farmers Market at Facebook
Downtown Hollister Farmers Market, Yelp reviews

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

JJ's Burgers


Hands up. Who else likes to eat a hamburger and garlic fries from JJ's Burgers in San Juan Bautista?  Droooool.

If they gave me an hour, I think I could complete JJ's Burger Challenge: A burger consisting of four patties, grilled onions, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, and special sauce, along with a milk shake and fries. But, you must consume it all in 20 minutes. The prize: A free meal and your photo on the Wall of Fame.

Adam Richman of Man vs. Food ought to try the challenge. Don't you think?


Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Good Morning, World!


It's morning irrigation on farm land between Meridian Street and Santa Ana Road, only a few miles from downtown Hollister. It's wonderful to see, don't you agree?

Saturday, April 12, 2014

San Juan Bakery


The San Juan Bakery on 3rd Street in San Juan Bautista is a local pleasure.  All sorts of breads, cookies, pies, and treats are made in the kitchen in the back. Many young fogeys, such as myself, are happy that the current owners are using the original recipes. Yum!

By the way, isn't the bakery's window display cute?

ShareThis

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails