In the Kitchen: Sigona’s Local Autumn Produce

Local Fuyu Persimmon and Mixed Chicories Salad with Sigona’s Sicilian Lemon Vinaigrette

Each thinly sliced bit of the sweet persimmon, paired with the slight tartness of the vinaigrette and the bitterness of the chicories, creates a lovely, balanced bite. Fuyu persimmons go out of season as quickly as they come, so get them while you can. Adapted from Martha Stewart. Serves 6.

For the dressing:

• 2 1/2 TBL Sigona’s Sicilian lemon balsamic
• 1/2 TBL minced shallot
• 1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp. salt, or to taste
• 1/4 cup Sigona’s Fresh Press Leccino extra virgin olive oil

For the salad:

• 1 pound mixed local chicories, such as radicchio, frisee and radicchio de Treviso, torn into 1-inch pieces (9 cups)
• 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped
• 2 Fuyu persimmons
• 1/3 cup pomegranate seeds, optional (from about 1/2 to 3/4 of a large pomegranate)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions: In a small bowl, mix together the balsamic, shallot, Dijon and salt. Gradually whisk in the oil to emulsify the mixture. Set aside.

Rinse the Fuyus and remove the stems. Using a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife, create 1/4-inch thick slices of the persimmons, then quarter the slices.

Toss the torn chicories, walnuts, persimmons and pomegranate seeds in a large bowl. Add vinaigrette, and toss well (really well) to coat. Season with salt and pepper.

Local, Organic Butternut Squash Soup with Sage Pepitas

There are dozens of ways to make butternut squash soup, but I like to keep it simple and healthy so the flavor of the squash really comes through. The sage-seasoned pepitas add a nice earthy note to the dish, and finishing with olive oil makes for a perfect touch (try our Harissa oil for a nice kick). Serve this soup after a day of picking apples at Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville or hunting for the perfect pumpkin at Spina Farms in Morgan Hill. Serves 6-8. Adapted from Real Simple.

Ingredients:

• 4 leeks (white and the lightest green parts only, or your soup will be green!), chopped
• 1 3.5-4-lb. butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 bay leaf
• About 4 ½ to 5 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp. chili powder
• Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tsp., (plus about 3 TBL for serving), Sigona’s Fresh Press Leccino extra virgin olive oil (for a little more spice at the end, try 4 tsp. Sigona’s Harissa olive oil)
• 1 TBL fresh Sage, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup pepitas (shelled raw pumpkin seeds)

Directions: Place the leeks, squash, bay leaf, 4 1/2 cups broth and chili powder in a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Season well with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash is tender, about 12 to 15 or so minutes.

Remove and discard the bay leaf. Working in batches, puree the soup in a blender until smooth (or use a food processor or handheld immersion blender). Add more broth if the soup is too thick. Taste soup; season with salt & pepper, if necessary. Add another dash or two of chili powder if desired.

Meanwhile, heat 2 tsp. of the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sage and pepitas and heat, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 2 to 3 minutes.

When time to serve, ladle soup into bowls and drizzle each with about a tsp. of olive oil (or try our Harissa oil for a kick). Sprinkle with the sage-seasoned pepitas and serve.

Local Red Kuri Squash with Thai Red Curry

You can use any orange squash for this soup, such as the carnival, butternut, Kabocha or pumpkin. It’s a wonderful way to warm up on a crisp fall day. Recipe courtesy of Luisa Ormonde of Luisa’s Catering in San Carlos. Serves 4-6.

For the curry:

• 1 TBL Sigona’s Fresh Press extra virgin olive oil
• 2 small yellow sweet onions, cubed or thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2-in. piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated
• 2 TBL Thai red curry paste (less or more depending how spicy you like it)
• 2 TBL mild curry powder
• 1 (14 oz.) can of coconut milk
• 3 TBL soy sauce or fish sauce (or mix of both)
• 4 cups (peeled, seeded) 1-in.-cubed squash (about 3 red kuri squash or about 2 carnival squash)
• 2 TBL brown sugar
• Juice from 1 fresh lime
• 1/4 cup chicken stock or water
• 1 1/2 cup green beans, cut into 1-in. pieces
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and cubed or thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced

For serving:

• Cooked Jasmine rice
• Cilantro, for garnish
• Diced green onions, for garnish

Directions: Heat the oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, garlic, ginger and sauté for about 3-5 minutes.

Add the curry paste and curry powder and cook for a minute, stirring constantly. Stir in your coconut milk, soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, squash and stock/water. Bring to a boil, then lower heat.

Simmer, uncovered for around 15 minutes or until squash is tender but not mushy (so you can slide a fork through it easily without it falling apart).

Add your green beans, plus bell peppers and simmer for 5 more minutes or until vegetables are tender-crisp.

Serve over Jasmine rice, and garnish with cilantro and green onions.