Sides

The name of this French heirloom cucurbita maxima is a squashed-together concoction of potiron (pumpkin) and marron (chestnut), but the bottom line is that it’s plenty tasty! Chef Anthony Paone created this recipe our Fall/Winter 2010 issue story, “What Do You Do with a Black Futsu” when he was at Sea Salt, a seafood-forward restaurant formerly…

Way back in 2006, Chef Romney Steele of The Cook and Her Farmer in Oakland offered a version of this simple recipe to the Rockridge Market Hall newsletter, and they have been a hit ever since during pepper season. There’s something about the intense grassy aroma of the roasting peppers that makes uscrave the…

Produce harvested at its peak is your sure bet for flavor and freshness. By Barbara Kobsar | Illustration by Charmaine Koehler-Lodge Snap Beans & Shell Beans Now is the time to scoop up fresh beans at your farmers’ market. Both edible-pod snap beans and shell beans (those you have to shell) are ubiquitous through…

From the story: How to Grow a Farmer First-Generation Farmer Erin Eno Finds Community Through Growing Food on Mount Diablo Story and photos by Austin Price Many local farmers’ markets, especially those hosting Asian farmers, sell tatsoi during the cool season. It might be labled with any number of other names like tago choy, tah…

Fry them in hot olive oil until they blister, then serve them whole sprinkled with a bit of flaky sea salt.

Louis Kao and Other East Bay Chefs Show How to Stir the Pot East Bay Cooks: Signature Recipes from the Best Restaurants, Bars, and Bakeries By Carolyn Jung Figure 1 Publishing, September 2019 Wondering what East Bay chefs and food entrepreneurs are up to? Here’s a helpful guide along with a nice collection of dishes…

Perfect for a winter day, this side dish pairs starchy roasted root veggies with a savory fresh herb sauce made from the carrot tops, adding a new dimension of flavor and making use of the whole vegetable. Salsa Verde 3 tablespoons capers, drained 2 whole cloves garlic, peeled 5 anchovy fillets (optional) Tops…

It all started with a shiitake mushroom fascination. At the time, Morgan Proctor and Greg Olson both had administrative positions in urban offices and were living in a small space in Oakland with no outdoor area for plants. Given their shared interests in nature, nutrition, and gardening, and after being wait-listed at a community garden,…

Illustrations by Margo Rivera-Weiss Recipe by Carolyn Phillips Farmers grow what their land and the market will support, so in diverse California, that means plenty of traditional Asian produce. The Old Oakland Friday market is particularly known for its wide selection of Asian vegetables, which home cooks with a working knowledge of Asian culinary…

From the story A Vegan Holiday Feast Illustration by Julia Cost 2 cups pecans 1 small yellow onion, diced small 3 tablespoons maple syrup Salt and pepper Safflower or vegetable oil 1 sweet potato, thinly sliced on the bias To make the mousse: Preheat oven to 350°. Place the pecans on a baking sheet and…

Let’s Cook Potimarron Squash!

Marinated Fire Roasted Peppers

What’s in Season?

Tatsoi with Spicy Thai Sauce

Sautéed Shishito Peppers

Noodle Like a Pro

Top Cap Mushrooms

Gailan with Oyster Sauce (haoyou jielan) from All Under Heaven

Chef Barry’s Pecan Mousse and Sweet Potato Chips