All indications are that Sonoma County will be a popular place to visit in 2012. Vacations rentals, campgrounds, and Time Shares are preparing for a busy year. And just where do these visitors-who spend at least a week here- want to shop? A Farmers Market, of course. Seeds have been purchased and farmers have started planting in their greenhouses and hoop houses for our April 22nd opening.

The Market Office has been unusually busy-just two weeks into the new year. 2012 applications, rules and regulations for vendors will be finalized and on the website by February 15th.

So sit back and enjoy a big bowl of Mei’s Mushroom Lemongrass Soup and dream of what you will find at the market just a few months away.

Glenda Castelli, Founder and Manager of
The Windsor Certified Farmers Market

The World is a better place for those of you who choose to shop Farmers Markets and support Local Farmers.

From the board, staff and purveyors of the Windsor Farmers Market we thank all of you for visiting our market and website in 2011 – making our 10th year our biggest ever. We look forward to seeing you April 22, 2012 – opening day – Earth Day. As always we have many surprises in store for you.

Sincerely,
Glenda Castelli, Manager
Windsor Certified Farmers Market

Warm up to fall with an Asian soup
by kitchentalk

There’s nothing like a steaming bowl of soup at the end of the day, especially if your family, like mine, has been feeling a bit under the weather.

Santa Rosa chef Mei Ibach demonstrated this recipe at the Windsor Certified Farmers Market a few weeks ago, then doctored up the leftovers by adding mung bean noodles for protein. You could also add tofu, shrimp or seasonal vegetables such as tomatoes. All the veggies and mushrooms came from the market’s certified growers. Duncan Soldner, owner of Gourmet Growers, gave a presentation of his mushroom business and the health benefits of mushrooms.

Lemongrass Mushroom Soup
^{Serves 6}

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 stalks lemongrass, cut into 4-inch lengths and lightly crushed
• 4 garlic cloves
• 4 or 5 thin slices fresh ginger
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 2 cups coconut milk
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce or salt
• ½ teaspoon chili flakes, more or less to your taste
• 2 cups small diced carrots
• 2 cups small diced bell pepper
• 3 cups mushrooms of choice, such as shiitake, thinly sliced
• 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 3 tablespoons chopped green onion

In medium stock pot, preheat the oil over medium heat and cook the lemongrass, garlic and ginger for 3-5 minutes or until light brown. Add stock and bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, combine coconut milk, season with fish sauce or salt, chili flakes, lime juice and adjust the seasoning to taste. Add carrots, bell peppers, simmer over low-medium heat for 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Add mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro and green onion.

• BIGGEST PUMPKIN
  1ST Place – David and Kathie Morgan – Windsor – 597.5 pounds
  2nd Place – Jason Booth – Windsor – 559 pounds
  3rd Place – David and Kathie Morgan – Windsor – 377 pounds

• BIGGEST PUMPKIN – KIDS CLASS
  1ST PLACE – Gianna Giovonini – Windsor – 25 Pounds
  2nd Place – Gianna again 8 Pounds

• Decorated Pumpkin Contest
  Adult:
  1st Place Liz Corso – Santa Rosa
  1st Place Vincent Corso – Santa Rosa

Kids Divisions: Pumpkin Car Races
1st Places Lucas Ringstrom – Windsor Racheal Rebich – Windsor Chace Henderson – Santa Rosa Alexander and Derek Jaeck

Twelve entries in the Salsa Contest made the judges squirm – as all were winners.
After two hours of deliberation – it came down to the following winners. This was a fun contest and one that will return in 2012.

Mama Tina’s Ravioli’s, a vendor at the Windsor Farmers Market, took Best of Show at the 10th Annual Tomato and Pepper Festival on September 11th. Judges quoted her salsa as fresh, light, love of the red onion and variety of every different heirloom tomato (including reds, pinks, purples, and yellow and organges) in the market. Tina also took 1st place in her mild salsa division.

Socorro’s Mexican Restaurant from the east side of Windsor also took first place honors with her red salsa. Judges again said it was sweet to the bite and a spicy after taste. Socorro’s spicy salsa had reviews of first bite kick and then a spicy afterbite.

A pleasant surprise of the day was a Chocolate Salsa! Peters Chocolate entered the fruit division with a melted chocolate full of fresh fruit from the market including blueberries. Served with a shortbread cookie – it was a yum-yum delight. Judges described it as spicy and sweet and very original.

Charlie’s BBQ took a first in the Hot division. Judges quoted as nice color medium heat – a nice liquid consistancy with great flavor.

All are looking forward to 2012 with most working on their new recipes now.

Reyes Family from Windsor Wins “Best of Show” at Tomato Festival with their Purple Cherokee

Other winners out of 53 entries include great farmers with awesome tomatoes
It was a Great Tomato Year in a Tricky Growing Season. The Best is yet to come in our suspected Indian Summer.

Roma:

• 1st place – Ortiz Farm – Santa Rosa – Viva Italia
• 2nd place – Russian River Valley Produce – Viva Italia

Red:

• 1st – Happy Farm – Big Beefsteak
• 2nd – Soda Rock Farm – Healdsburg – Early Girl
• 3rd – Ortiz Farm – Red Brandywine

Yellow/Orange:

• 1st – Soda Rock Farm – Healdsburg – Kellogg Breakfast
• 2nd – Russian River Valley Produce – Healdsburg – Copia
• 3rd – russian River Valley Produce – Healdsburg – Golden Girl

All Others: Black, Purple, Green, Pink:

• 1st – Reyes Farm – Windsor – Purple Cherokee
• 2nd – Reyes Farm – Windsor – Green Zebra
• 3rd – Soda Rock Farm – German Green

Cherry:

• 1st – Reyes Farm – Windsor – Sweet grape
• 2nd – Soda Rock Farm – Healdsburg – Sun Gold
• 3rd – Russian River Valley Produce – Red Cherry

BEST OF SHOW Purple Cherokee – Reyes Farm in Windsor
The 5 judges all agreed this tomato stood out from all 53 entries to be the Best of Show. Its flavor, texture, acidity – could not be questioned. Grown in the fertile soil of Windsor California by a young hard working family. The family with grade school children where everyone helps, are an asset to our market.

What Grower will win the 10th Annual Windsor Certified Farmers Market’s Tomato Festival?

Five classes – 5 Judges – 100 Tomatoes

Don’t miss this Sunday’s Tomato and Pepper Festival as 5 Sonoma County Winemakers judge the Best Tomato of 2011. Will the Best of Show be the San Marzano Roma, The Green Zebra, The Copia, the Kellogg Breakfast, or the Sun Gold Cherry? Or will someone sneak in a surprise garden variety to burst everyone’s bubble.

Sonoma County Head Winemakers will turn in their noses for their palate. Come watch Winemakers take a few hours from the local harvest to judge the best!

Judges:

• Rick Sayre – Rodney Strong Winery – Healdsburg;
• Pax Mahle – Wind Gap Wines – Forestville;
• Brandon Lapides – Armida Winery – Healdsburg;
• Fabiano Ramaci – Moro Estate;
• Surprise Winemaker

Judging starts at 10:00 in the East Pavilion of the Town Green
Winners Announced 11:00 or when the judging is over.
Tasting Starts at 11:00
Salsa Contest – Open to Windsor Restaurants & Windsor Certified Farmers Market Vendors with a valid Sonoma County Health Permit

A Tribute to 9/11 at 9:45

WINDSOR CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKET’s

MARKET STREET – ‘Old Downtown Windsor’

TOMATO & PEPPER FESTIVAL

WHEN: Sunday, September 11th – 10-2

HOW: Bring your Entry (See Categories Below) to the Farmers Market on September 11th from 8-10. Judging at 10:00 a.m. Ribbons Awarded at 11:00. Tasting starts at 11:00.

FIVE CATEGORIES: Please bring 3 TOMATOES FOR EACH ENTRY. PLEASE MARK NAME On TOMATO. WITNESS THE JUDGING BY SONOMA COUNTY’S HEAD WINEMAKERS

ORDER OF CATEGORY OF TASTING:
1. Roma
2. Orange/Yellow
3. All Others: Purple, Black. Pink, Green
4. Red
5. Cherry

OTHER CONTESTS
1. Most Unusual Tomato
2. Biggest Tomato
3. Littlest Tomato
4. Prettiest Tomato

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 707 838-1320

The final Thursday Night Market was filled with great produce, great food, great music, and great community. With the Bicycle check in lot and the dance floor full, it was a sure sign that no one needed to hit the gym for more exercise.

“Twist and Shout”, done by the original Beatles in the 60’s, was the final song of Summer Nights On the Green for 2011 done by The Beatles Flashback Band who played from 6-8.

Plans start at Windsor Town Hall on August 31st for Summer Nights 2012. Check www.townofwindsor.com for more information.

The Farmers thanks everyone for a fabulous night market. Don’t forget, the Sunday market continues every Sunday at the same location till December 18th – from 10-1.

Thursday Night at the Windsor Certified Farmers Market’s market and concert was an exciting night at the market and the concert. Top of the Season Produce and Dine in or Take Out Street Food was busy all night with those Gravenstein Apple Pizzas from Rosso’s Pizzeria, the best fish taco’s I have ever had from Vero’s Kitchen, and Nellie’s “Drakes Bay” Oysters and Fish & Chips. Santa Rosa Seafood’s line never dwendled all evening. Chef Anna Svedise was amazing with her recipes of Seafood delights where guests enjoyed the show as much as the food.

Two large Paella’s from Fabiano’s Ramaci’s “Per le Stelle”, was a hit from the moment Fabiano started making this spanish dishe on site in the center of the Town Green. The aroma’s of rice, vegetables, fish, spices, peppers, garlic, mussels, clams, shrimp, scallops filled the Town Green.

The Beatles Flashback Band, a market favorite for three years, was back on the Sparks Stage all evening long. The finale “Twist &* Shout” song for the evening kept everyone wanting just one more song.

Sonoma County and the Windsor Town Green – It’s like being on vacation all year long.