The Simi Valley Farmers Market

The Simi Valley Mall is the new happening place on Friday afternoons since the opening of the Simi Valley Farmers’ Market. Averaging 45-50 stalls, including vendors of fruits, vegetables, candles, spices, jewelry and tamales, the market is located at the far end of the parking lot from 3pm to 8pm. The market also includes various family special events such as live music, pony rides and face painting. Look for the first of the Goleta and Oxnard strawberries along with an abundance of winter produce perfect for the attached vegetable soup recipe which is perfect this time of year when the weather is varied and unpredictable.

One day it’s cold and my appetite turns to cozy, comfort food and then in the very same week, the temperatures rise and so does my desire to “shed my winter coat” both literally and figuratively (no pun intended...oh, ok pun intended). Not only do I want to take off my bulky sweaters and jackets I also want to take off that extra winter poundage, some of which has been around for more than one season.

I love this vegetable soup recipe because it gives me the best of both worlds. It’s warm, filling and nutritious. It’s comfort food without any of the guilt discomfort. Enjoy the produce at the Farmers’ Market and feel free to play with the recipe adding or subtracting vegetables based on your preference and availability.

Bon Appetite Vegetable Soup

Ingredients
3 Tablespoons good olive oil
4 large carrots peeled, chopped
½ large head green cabbage thinly sliced
1 medium brown onion, chopped or sliced
4 stalks of celery, chopped
2 Tablespoons fresh rosemary
6 cups canned chicken broth or vegetable broth
1 – 28 oz can Italian plum tomatoes
Salt and pepper to taste (I prefer sea salt and freshly ground pepper)
1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
(Additional grated Parmesan cheese as needed!)

Instructions
Heat olive oil in heavy pot over medium heat. Add carrots, cabbage, onion, celery and rosemary. Saute’ until tender and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Add broth and tomatoes. Simmer for 45 minutes to keep the vegetables crisp/tender. Season soup with salt and pepper and stir in 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese. Ladle into soup bowls and serve with additional cheese if desired. Who wouldn’t desire additional cheese? I’ve never understood that!!!

Note #1: For my birthday this year my son gave me a pair of “onion goggles”. They are terrific. I highly recommend them even though my husband said that I look like I should be riding in the sidecar of a motorcycle when he saw me wearing them and happily chopping onions. Please note that this is not an endorsement and I am not in cahoots with any onion goggle companies. I just think they work great!

Note #2: Though nothing can compare to shopping at your local Farmers’ Market I did hear about a website called foodzie.com where you can order produce, specialty food items and artisanal goodies from nearly 300 growers and food producers across the country.

-- P.F.