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This issue’s cover story is about three local vineyards (Bien Nacido, Riverbench and Zaca Mesa) who are celebrating their 50th anniversaries. You’ll also read about regenerative poultry farms and what local chefs are cooking this season. Pascale Beale has a lovely essay on salads, and as always, we have many delicious recipes to share with you.
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Mark Your Calendar
Late summer and fall is the busiest time of the year for events. There are so many good ones coming up — worth traveling for if you don’t live nearby. Here’s what is on my calendar for September and October. I hope to see you at some or all of these events.
The National Heirloom Exposition is coming to the Ventura County Fairgrounds September 12–14. It’s a one-of-a-kind celebration of heirloom gardening, pure food and healthy living. Highlights include an expo hall filled with rare and beautiful fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers, plus exhibits, renowned speakers, and vendors. This will be my first time at this event — I’m very excited that it has moved from Santa Rosa to Ventura. More details will be coming soon on the booth we’ll be sharing with Edible Ventura and Edible San Fernando Valley.
The fifth annual Santa Barbara County Farm Day, held on Saturday, September 23, is a unique opportunity to experience how the food we eat is grown. The day includes free self-guided farm tours, produce giveaways and wine tastings, tractor-with-trailer rides and kid-friendly activities. New this year: Farm Day Hub at Allan Hancock’s Student Learning Garden & Vineyard featuring displays, kids’ projects, vegetable garden tours and produce samples. This is one of my favorite Santa Barbara County events, and it’s a great opportunity to get up close and personal with our local farms.
The 49th year of the Mary Jane McCord Planned Parenthood Annual Book Sale is happening Sept 14–24 at Earl Warren Exhibit Hall. I think half of my cookbook collection comes from this sale.
The 39th Santa Barbara Annual Vintners Festival will be held on October 14 at Vega Vineyard & Farm in Buellton. With over 60 wineries, live music, live cooking demos and delicious small bites, this is your chance to meet the winemakers, chefs and locals who make Santa Barbara Country such a special place to be. Edible Santa Barbara has been a long-time supporter and partner of this event. If you’ve been to the festival before, you may remember me on stage introducing and participating in the cooking demos. And yes, I’ll be back doing that again this year!
Something Tasty
This hasn’t been our hottest summer, but it has certainly been warm enough for gazpacho. There is nothing like a classic Spanish-style gazpacho, but I’m fairly liberal in my love of gazpacho. I’ve made red, white and green gazpacho and I even have a special place in my heart for this Peach Gazpacho.
It’s made with peaches, cucumber, green onion and garlic. It comes together quickly in a blender or food processor with some olive oil, apple cider vinegar, water, salt and pepper. And you have lots of flexibility with the garnishes.
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