By Emily Kingston
Staying in Tuolumne County comes with the perks of having fresh and delicious locally made foods to return home with. You can create one-of a kind meals for the whole family. Knowing where to shop for the best meals can help keep within your budget! There are many farmers markets in the area where you can find fresh veggies and fruit. Check out Motherlode Grown in Downtown Sonora which always keeps local meat and eggs in stock. Here’s our guide for what to buy and how to cook a simple yet unforgettable meal once you have returned home!
You’ll need:
- Jamestown Olive Oil Company’s Cowboy Blend Olive Oil from Peaceful Valley Farmers Market on Friday evenings, or Motherlode Grown in Downtown Sonora.
- Fresh veggies and fruit of your choice from Twain Harte Open Air Market (Thursday), Peaceful Valley Farmers Market in East Sonora (Friday), Downtown Sonora Farmers Market (Saturday), or Heritage Marketplace in Jamestown (Tues-Sat).
- Diestel Family Ranch turkey found at most local markets including Twain Harte Market
Everything you need for dishes and salads can be made from the list above, but here’s our favorite!
Cook your veggies and meat in the Cowboy Blend Olive oil! It has a magnificent range of spices that pairs well with almost anything. It is recommended to marinate the meat in the Cowboy Blend oil before cooking, as vinegar tends to evaporate when cooked. Use the oil to cook veggies such as mushrooms and squash, or dip sliced cucumbers in it for a very easy and fast snack or side dish.
Add fresh fruit to your meat and veggie dish as a sweet treat!
Pro tip! Local potter Bill Mansberger sells handmade steamer pots at the local farmers markets. These pots are microwavable and oven safe! Find Bill at the Twain Harte Mountain Air Market, Downtown Sonora Farmers Market and Peaceful Valley Farmers Market.