True Centralist

I found myself traveling east today on Highway 4. No end in sight. I can't remember the last time I was in Stockton. Probably 20 years ago for Thanksgiving? Yet, here I was driving my own ass through the California Central Valley to enjoy a feast of roasted lamb and Delta grown asparagus in the middle of a walnut orchard.

I consider myself a city girl . . . or, suburban, at least. For me, going to "the country" is going to visit my immediate family in Sonoma. That country has a swimming pool, though, and feels more like a resort than "the country". That's probably because technically, Sonoma is within the Greater Bay Area region. Stockton, on the other hand is smack-dab in the heartland of California - full of farmers that actually grow their food to sell at markets.

It was a beautiful Easter Sunday and a great excuse to head out to what seemed like a million miles of one-lane roads with draw bridges. I don't think I've ever made it out to the Delta. Yet, here I was passing through miles of levees and inland freshwater estuaries. And . . . miles of blooming cherry trees everywhere.

Considering how far it always seemed to me as a kid, I've realized that now I really don't live that far away from the agricultural center of California.

Then again, that's the beauty of my state . . . pretty much anywhere you go something's growing. Artichokes on the southern coast by Salinas, strawberries in Watsonville, pumpkins and squash in Half Moon Bay, pears in Lake County . . . and not to mention cherries, almonds, walnuts, oranges, peaches, nectarines, alfalfa, tomatoes . . . and all the different grapes varietals spread from south to north for each of the "wine countries" throughout the state.

I actually learned something new today. We had some delicious asparagus at dinner. They were so good I barely needed any mayo with them. Organic and fresh, of course. (That's to be expected in farm country.) Apparently, because they are grown in the Delta where the land is moist they tend to take on a sweeter taste compared with the asparagus grown on the coast by Salinas where the earth is drier.

I remember heading up to the Capay Valley (west of Winters) with the BFF on a day trip and stopping at local farm stands. The aroma that came from those tomatoes was incredible. Sweet and earthy. You just can't get that at the super-market. I usually put olive oil, salt and oregano on my tomatoes. But those I ate plain because they had so much flavor.

I have to admit that being raised in a city environment I'm more prone to eating processed foods. Sad but true. Thanks to my office receiving fresh, local, organic fruits every week I've gotten more into the habit of eating produce. But I think this summer, I'm going to make it a habit of doing my grocery shopping at a local, organic, artisinal farmer's market full of fresh produce, baked goods, dairy products and meat.

It will definitely be healthier, reduce the amount of carbon footprints, support local farmers and might even prove to be cheaper. I think if you buy less (and just what you need) it proves to be a win-win situation for everyone. Plus, now I also incredibly inspired because of the delicious veggie quiches my aunt made from a cookbook she gave me for Christmas. It's time to try it out. And . . . make good on all those carbon footprints I left behind on I-5 and the bugs that met their demise on my windshield. Maybe I'll even bake a pie like the one I brought for dessert today.