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January is the beginning of the depth of winter for Yolo County, but the land is still producing fresh fruits and vegetables that go out across the country as well as into local and Bay Area Farmers' Markets, restaurants, supermarkets and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscription boxes. The county's almonds and walnuts have been harvested and shipped across the nation and world, and summers' dried fruits were much appreciated over the holidays. It won't be long, though, before the dried fruit crop is sold out, and we’ll have to wait for the new crop of fruit. Market growers are harvesting greens, herbs, cabbages, and leeks, and citrus growers are experiencing a bountiful year, in full swing now, harvesting oranges, lemons, mandarins, and grapefruit. It's the season for slow-cooked soups made with kale and leeks and winter squash and for hearty salads full of escarole, radicchio, and citrus fruits.
As we look around the countryside, many of the fields are clean of their previous crop and the ground prepared for planting the next, much of which will be processing tomatoes, the county’s number one crop – and one of the nation’s favorite products. Used for pastas and pizzas, soups, stews, salsas, and juice.
- Crostini Topped with Gorgonzola and Minced Dried Apricot
- Leek Soup with Fried Bacon Crumbles
- Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder with Pasta
- Braised Mixed Greens
- Poached Orange Slices with Cinnamon
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