4 • January 2017 • UPBEAT TIMES, INC.


& Prosper! Cloverdale, CA. stock of


Eat Well


~ T e lunar cal- endar, based on the movements of the moon, is the basis for the


Chinese New Years celebra- tion. T is tradition goes back thousand of years. T e date always lands between January 21st and February 19th. T e Chinese celebration revolves around resolutions to make needed changes for a brighter future. About 3,000 years ago, an-


cient Babylon celebrated the beginning of the year on what is now March 23rd. Late March seemed a logical choice for these avid agrarians. T is was the time of the year when spring began and, most impor- tantly, new crops were planted. In our area, January is the


On A Cold Winters Night by Executive Chef Ron Skaar ~ ronskaar@comcast.net ~ 707-490-7636 artichokes, rhubarb


and asparagus can be planted now. T is time of year, you should fi nd these available at your local nursery, with bare-root stock of blackberries, raspberries and blueberries ar- riving soon. Artichokes


have been a delicacy since Roman times. Back then, Pliny com- plained “thus we turn into a corrupt feast the earth’s mon- strosities” about the buds. T e large artichoke buds we know today were probably developed in Moorish Spain during the late Middle Ages. Artichokes grow especially


perfect time to plant. Bare-root well in California. Like in their


old world villages, the Italian immigrants fi rst planted arti- chokes near Castroville in the 20’s.T e artichoke “heart” is the fl ower base, simi- lar to the straw- berry and fi g. Becoming


rich and creamy when


cooked, the artichoke


off ers a uniquely appealing


combination of


texture and fl avor. T ere foliage is also


gorgeous and especially dramatic when planted close to Rhubarb,


which itself is showy


enough for a display spot in the garden. T is plant was used for centuries in Asia for


its medicinal properties. Rhu- barb became popular in 19th century England due to it be- ing one of the fi rst fruit-like produce items. Appearing in early spring, its stalks oſt en masquerade as a fruit. For the intense color and fl avor of the fi eld-grown crop of Rhubarb, try the “Crimson Cherry” or ”MacDonald” varieties. Asparagus is one of the most


dependable of home garden vegetables. Place bare-root crowns in a well fertilized trench, mounding soil around roots has they grow. You will enjoy the pretty fernlike foliage this spring and enjoy a slight harvest next spring. One


10


ſt . row will yield 3-4 lbs of as- paragus spears and the cutting of a good crop for the next 10 to 20 years! Asparagus is one of the tender manifestations of spring. California produces 70 % of the crop consumed in the States. Asparagus is best eaten within 24 hours aſt er harvest. So growing it right out side your kitchen door makes deli- cious sense. T ose Italian immigrants


would certainly enjoy this sim- ple Sunset recipe, served up on a cold winter’s night. See EW & P Recipe page 23:


Italian Chicken & Artichoke Soup!


Weird Facts & Fun Trivia - 2


Molson Companies Ltd., Montreal, Quebec, is the oldest brewery in North America. The company was founded by John Molson in 1786, and is still under Molson family control.


In Montana the elk, deer and antelope outnumber the people.


In Montana, the Chinook High School mascot is the Sugar Beet.


In 1904 North Dakota was a prohibition state but Montana wasn’t. In Sidney, Montana a bar was built on the state line, so you could buy your drink in Montana, and drink it in North Dakota.


4 • January 2017 • UPBEAT TIMES, INC.


“Without deviation from the norm, progress is not possible.” ~ Frank Zappa


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