Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Are you serving lunch? 'Potimarron' Winter Squash!

What's for Lunch?
During my visit to Stone Edge Farm and Vineyards, head gardener Lena Hahn-Schuman kindly handed me one of these beautiful 'Potimarron' squash. As the French name indicates, this winter squash is thought to have the flavor of chestnuts. I'll let you know as soon as it's been cooked: A simple preparation is planned - slicing in half and baking.
'Potimarron' is a golden color as it grows, achieving the lovely red-orange hue when fully ripe.

As you can see from the lead photo, chickens are part of the larger ecosystem at Stone Edge, where an approach to sustainable organic farming takes in ornamental and culinary gardens, along with the vineyards and olive trees.

If you're in Northern California, or expect to be in the area, you may want to sign up for the farm's Mailing List, to be notified of special events and receive news of the release of Cabernet Sauvignon and 'Surround' wines,
not to mention the award-winning olive oil produced at Stone Edge Farm.

14 comments:

  1. I look forward to hearing how your Potimarron tastes and if it has a chestnut flavor. That sounds like a good way to cook it, just slice in half and bake it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. That squash sounds delicious ... maybe adding some apricots would be yummy too. Love the chicken! ;>)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Terra,
    isn't it a cool name... Potimarron!

    Carol,
    It must be dinner time because reading your comment about adding apricots is making me salivate big time! What a great idea for a combo.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Dear Alice, What a great fall destination! And the squash sounds yummy. Pam

    ReplyDelete
  5. Alice, I want to let you know that your caption and photo has made me smile although I've been under the weather. Great shots especially the first one. :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. A squash that tastes of chestnuts? I need seeds!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I LOVE squash! And with apricots?! Oh my!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Never heard of such a squash. Perfect lunch dish, I suppose.

    ReplyDelete
  9. That squash sounds intriguing, do let us know how it turned out. I love the chicken, our girls often have that 'I wonder what we can eat in the garden today' look!

    ReplyDelete
  10. To all.... here's the back story regarding to the chickens:

    As we walked around the property we saw chickens jumping up to slurp and savor the vineyard's ripe grapes!

    If only I had been able to capture that picture!

    The winemaker had recently passed along the fact to the Culinary Director, John McReynolds, that the chickens had already eaten thousands of dollars worth of grapes, destined to be used in the luscious estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon and Surround wines.

    And there we were, John, Lena and myself, witnessing the act!

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a beautiful squash, and the taste sounds outlandishly delicious. I'll have to find some seeds for next year's garden.

    And the chicken! Well, she's lovely and, given the back story, true to her nature (at least judging by my hens). How they do love to find the juiciest bits for themselves—no matter the anguish it might cause the humans who were counting on the juicy bits for themselves!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great photos! Chickens are so funny. I'm so excited that we're entering winter squash season.

    ReplyDelete
  13. So many temptations, so little time! (No, I mean me being tempted by the farm, not the chicken being tempted by the grapes). Enjoy your wonderful meal! Maybe some pomegranate seeds sprinkled over the squash? Some almonds?

    ReplyDelete
  14. Alice, Thank you for the healing hugs! Chicken eating grapes? I thought they eat bugs. Maybe they should consider making wine out of chicken now that the grapes are in the chicken. Btw, wine chicken is delicious.

    ReplyDelete