The big food holidays are right around the corner. Will you have local food on your table?

Winter dinners for family and friends can be as local as your summer picnics were. Look around while you’re shopping for traditional goodies. Choose some locally grown varieties of the old favorites-or start some new traditions!

For meat eaters – the ultimate seasonal coup is a fresh, farm raised, turkey for the centerpiece of your holiday dinner. Yes, these special birds are available right here in the foothills – but they disappear fast. The Wanderin Star Ranch will have fresh local birds, big enough for a king-sized table of friends and relatives – ready to pick up at the ranch.  If you miss out on those, check out the Local Harvest website to search for some raised close by. If you’re not quick enough to get your name on a reserve list for one of these super local delicacies, be sure to get to BriarPatch for a Diestel turkey, from Sonora.

When the annual turkey-cravings have been satisfied, the next best meaty holiday main dish … at least following my family traditions … is a juicy beef roast with roasted potatoes and carrots nestled all around, or a pork tenderloin with pearl onions and orange slices.  Both of these family pleasers are available locally. The staff in the meat department at BriarPatch will be happy to help you with local meat ideas, or to reserve cuts for you for the holidays. Try Nevada County Free Range Beef, or Llano Seco pork from Chico.

More dinner plans? Keep looking! Locally raised chicken will make a delicious holiday dinner.  And, one of my all time favorites for a festive meal – locally raised, grass fed lamb can be purchased at BriarPatch or directly from the ranch. Try lanoriaranch@yahoo.com.  For the more adventurous – rabbit (local! Look at SPD) and Venison (BriarPatch).

I don’t mean to be neglecting the veggies! Roasted vegetables, baked squash, stewed tomatoes, mashed potatoes, creamed corn ….. ah!!  Did you stock up from your garden this summer ?  If your home grown supply has run out, you can still find all the locally-grown favorites. BriarPatch’s produce department has local squashes and pumpkins, radicchio and salad greens.  And, even though the farmers markets have closed for the season … individual farms are still selling at their farmstands.  Call your favorite farm to check their fall hours.  Phone numbers are in the Farm Guide.

A dinner this fabulous, and this local! – deserves to be accompanied by a local wine. Check the Nevada County Winery Association for wineries in our area.  And fresh baked bread – of course.  Visit Flour Garden Bakery for breads baked with local grains from Grass Valley Grains.

And wait – you’re not done yet!  Holiday dinner has to have dessert(s).  Local apple pie, local pumpkin pie, local zucchini bread, local persimmon pudding, local egg custard ………..   am I making my point ?  Boy, I hope so – I’m certainly making myself hungry!

So however you choose to celebrate this season, celebrate with friends, family and food –local food!

Happy Eating!