We have some fun nibbles for you in this issue of Small Bites. Huge congratulations to NCO Gardens Project, which turns the big ONE-OH! Community gardens organized by NCO around the county have brought beauty and food to our neighborhoods for the past ten years. We are so grateful to have them and their good works in Mendocino County.
Some readers in the Bay Area sent in a yummy recipe: Skillet Phyllo Pie with Butternut Squash & Kale—a great dish for these cooler fall evenings. There's a call out to all artists contribute works with a harvest theme for the "Farm to Table Art of the Harvest," organized by Art Center Ukiah. And a belated birthday gathering for Holly's 40th took place at Russian Gulch State Park over this past weekend, complete with sliced tomato salad, artisan pizza, and bubbles to toast the birthday gal.
We finish off with a handful of upcoming local food events to get you out and about, and (of course) a reminder to get your fall issue of Word of Mouth magazine, now available at our various distribution spots.
Yums & Love,
Holly & Torrey
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NCO’s Gardens Project turns 10!
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Gardeners Genaro Vega and Josefina Dueñas. Ernestina Mendez (not pictured) has also been gardening since before the beginning of the Gardens Project. She is a founding member of the first community garden in Ukiah, the Cleveland Lane Community Garden.
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Have you seen a community garden on a block near your house? Odds are it received help from North Coast Opportunities Garden Project. Ten years ago this group of community organizers began assisting those who do not have property gain access to soil. Healthy, nutritious food growing gardens have popped up across from the Anderson Valley Housing Assoc. units in Boonville, behind the Integrated Services Center in Willits and at the south end of Ukiah. They have helped start gardens near senior housing, on under-used lots and in parks.
About fifty supporters gathered at the site of the first community garden-in-a-park at Vinewood Park in Ukiah to celebrate. The taco bar was catered by Taqueria Michoacan, and the grilled vegetables were provided by community gardeners and various local farms. The cucumber and tomato salad, Mexican slaw, and melon salad were all prepared by the Caring Kitchen Project, with produce from various local farms. Raffle prizes and refreshments were shared to live music and visiting. Miles Gordon original director of the Gardens Project was on hand to thank the gardeners some of whom have been there from the beginning. Since it’s humble beginnings the Gardens Project now has 45 gardens feeding 3,000 people in Lake and Mendocino Counties. Current director, Ava Ryan says the program is going strong with new gardens coming soon including a veterans garden. Gardens project coordinator Sarah Marshall encouraged party goers to get involved either by claiming a garden plot or by donating funds.
Community gardens like the one at Vinewood Park have revitalized community spaces, kindled friendships and produced tons and tons of quality food.
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Sarah Marshall, Ava Ryan and Miles Gordon of the Gardens Project.
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Skillet Phyllo Pie with Butternut Squash & Kale
This recipe was sent over by new WOM subscribers Mathew and Julie Wong of Berkeley. Glad our mag is reaching the bay! Recipe adapted from bon appétit.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- olive oil
- 1 red onion
- 1 small butternut peeled and cut into small pieces
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
- 1 tsp pepper flakes
- 1 bunch kale stems removed, chopped
- 2 eggs
- 3 tbsp asiago cheese
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 8 oz frozen phyllo dough, thawed
Preheat oven to 400º , heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté onions until softened, add squash, cover and cook, stirring occasionally until just almost tender, ten minutes or so. Add thyme and pepper, combine and transfer to a large bowl. Wipe out the skillet for next use. Add kale, eggs, assiago and lemon zest to bowl with squash mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Add reserve squash mixture into skillet and fold the edges of Layer a phyllo sheet in skillet and brush with melted butter, alternating phyllo sheet and butter for four to six sheets or until you have a good “crust layer”. Fold the edges in, overlapping slightly leaving the center open. Brush outer edge with melted butter. Optional: dollop top of pie with local fresh goat cheese. Cook over medium heat until bottom of pie is golden brown, transfer to oven and bake until edge is crisp and eggs are set. Let pie cool before cutting into wedges to serve. Scrummy!
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"Farm to Table Art of the Harvest"
Juried Art Show Deadline for entries is October 28
Art Center Ukiah requests art to celebrate the bounty Mendocino County. Paintings, sculpture, mixed media, and photography with theme of Mendocino County Farm to Table. Good for all ages. Entry forms are available Corner Gallery 201 S. State St 462-1400 or email acugallery@att.net.
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Happy late birthday to publisher Holly Madrigal
Holly had a belated celebration of her 40th at Russian Gulch State Park. A menu of sliced garden ripened tomatoes, salad and artisan pizza showcased our seasonal bounty. Toasts were made with McFadden Brutt and Ceasar Toxqui’s sparkling, Hugh Oliver blanc de noir.
Remember September is the perfect time to visit the coast for your own picnic. Maybe bake up some of the phyllo pie (above), grab a blanket, real plates and silverware and get out there. If the Mendocino Headlands are not near by, then head out to a meadow, creek or even your own backyard. Food just tastes better when eaten outdoors with those you love.
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Word of Mouth Fall Issue is out now!
Pick up your copy today or subscribe and have it mailed to your door for $25/year.
P.O. Box 277, Willits CA 95490
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Upcoming Local Food Events
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Saturday October 14
First Annual Potter Valley Featured
The Barn at the Oak Granary
Dinner 6:00 PM
Live Band 8:00 PM
A celebration of Potter Valley’s finest food, craft beverages, and music! The farm to table feast will include local meat from Magruder Ranch and Mossy Falls Farm, produce from Red Tail Farm and the Oak Granary, and more Mendocino farms. The Potter Valley Brewing Group will be serving up craft beers, ciders, meads, and ginger ale (made with Potter Valley Honey from Carson and Bees)! The danceable and lively Fiver Brown Band out of Sausalito will round out the night with live music! Onsite camping is included. $35 ticket includes diner, drinks, music and camping. $25 tickets available for non drinkers. Buy your ticket now to reserve your space. We need to sell tickets early so we can plan to ensure we have abundant food and beverages for all. Tickets are available at online.
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October 1st
Parducci Wine Cellars 4th Annual Crush Rush 5K Benefit Run
Parducci Tasting Room Patio, Ukiah
10:00am
Beginning at 8:30am the race welcomes runners, joggers and walkers of all ages. Attendees are welcome to tour the 115 acre Parducci Home Ranch vineyard and winery. Proceeds from the $35 adult tickets go 100% to the Ukiah Unified School Garden Program. Racers get a tshirt and brunch. Thank you Jess Arensteen for the heads up, maybe if you ask nice he will give you a tour of the wonderful Parducci Gardens while you are there.
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October 7th
Abalone Cook Off
South Noyo Harbor, Fort Bragg
In support of MAPA (Mendocino Area Parks Assoc.)
The best cooks in the west will be cooking up Mendocino’s favorite mollusk to tempt the “tasting judges” (that could be you). This event has sold out in the past go get your tickets asap. Abalone populations have been impacted recently so the dive counts have been reduced. To allow for abalone recovery, the cook off will allow farm-raised abalone to cooks that request it. Proceeds help support area parks like Hendy Woods, Mendocino Woods, Jughandle, and, Standish Hickey SRA. Deliciousness for a good cause.
photo by Keith Wagner
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Word of Mouth Farm Stay Booklet
Mendocino County has a growing agri-tourism sector and Word of Mouth wants to, well, spread the word! Our Art Director Torrey Douglass has designed a beautiful booklet sharing a handful of the great places to stay in Mendocino County. These are all working farms and ranches that include accommodations.
If you want a copy for a $5 fee, email wordofmouthmendo@gmail.com or view online.
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