Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Glimpses of St. Helena's farmers Market, Napa AND Zuke-A-mole

He is the King and he did it again!

Heartiest Congratulations to Roger Federer who took home the US Open trophy for the 5th consecutive time! What a beauty and pure joy it is to watch him play. The best player ever to play the game of tennis, IMO. Always a class act and ever so generous with all these great achievements, the sign of a true champion!!

Coming back to today's post, here are some pictures from my recent trip to Napa Valley, food related of course ;) I managed to convince all in my group to spare some time and go visit the popular St. Helena's farmers market out there. It was a beautiful bright day and we did pick up quite a few things from there. From the lovely produce of fresh fruits and vegetables, to various flavored honeys, to all kinds of pesto's possible, to handmade scarves, to fine crafted soaps, to indoor plants, they seemed to have it all! I happened to leave some pesto and jalapeno relish jars in my handbag and had to leave it at the airport :( Anyway, I'm very happy with my other purchases from there including the mega white peaches ;)




Let me leave you with the recipe of Zuke-A-mole, a smart twist to the ever popular guacamole using Zucchini which I've adapted from here. Made it a few times and it is one tasty dip! I've tried it with bread, idli's and makes a good accompaniment to desi meals as well.



Zuke-A-mole

3 Zucchini
1 sweet onion chopped
2-3 green chili, as per taste
2-3 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 cup coriander leaves
1/4 cup mint leaves or basil leaves (can make without it as well)
salt & pepper to taste
1-2 tbsp oil
2tbsp lemon juice, as per taste

1. Heat oil. Add onion, green chili and garlic, saute 2 minutes.

2. Add chopped zucchini and cook till done.

3. Add salt & pepper, coriander leaves, mint leaves and switch off the gas. Add lemon juice. Cool and blend smooth.

4. Enjoy this tasty dip as you would any other dip. The original recipe asks for roasting of zucchini and onion in an oven for 90mins, that will definitely bring about an intense flavor, but is quite time consuming for me! I thoroughly enjoyed this take on the ever favorite guacamole.
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43 comments:

  1. UnknownSeptember 9, 2008 at 1:28 PM

    Innovative recipe

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  2. ChamSeptember 9, 2008 at 2:02 PM

    I make chutney with zuchinni :) Nice recipe, tell me how was ur Sonoma county trip? Hope u enjoyed the wine tasting :)

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  3. RichaSeptember 9, 2008 at 2:09 PM

    thanks divya!

    thanks cham!
    ur chutney sounds good too. yup, ur sonoma county is beautiful, eveything about it is just gorgeous ;) had a lovely trip, thanks for asking :)

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  4. sunitaSeptember 9, 2008 at 3:13 PM

    Zuke-A-mole...that has such a nice ring to it...lovely recipe, Richa.

    And yes, Federer is an artist, isn't he :-)

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  5. ShilpaSeptember 9, 2008 at 4:52 PM

    I am making that zuke a mole as soon as i get hold of zucchini. It will be perfect for idlis or dosas i guess. Thanks Richa.

    Whenever I see those farmer's market pictures, I miss subzi mandis in India. What a sheet joy they were...

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  6. MeeraSeptember 9, 2008 at 5:59 PM

    Zuke-a-mole? Wow!! That's so creative!! i just love visiting farmers market. & I buy everything that I know and don't!! But still enjoy it.:-)

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  7. UmaSeptember 9, 2008 at 6:09 PM

    lovely name for a delicious recipe. Looks so mouth-watering Richa!

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  8. LaavanyaSeptember 9, 2008 at 9:20 PM

    What a fun trip to the farmer's market. Zuke a mole is a fantastic idea - got to give it a try.

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  9. RichaSeptember 9, 2008 at 9:35 PM

    thanks sunita!
    aha! one more Fed fan :)

    thanks shilpa!
    lemme' know if you try, u can adjust the chili & lemon as per taste. the farmers mrkt was so good, the figs were good too :)

    thanks meera!
    aren't we foodies crazy @ frmrs mrkt ;) u r my kinda' girl :)

    thanks uma!
    glad u liked it dear, it is quick to make too.

    thanks laav!
    fun trip indeed :)
    do lemme' know if u try w/ any twists!

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  10. musicalSeptember 9, 2008 at 10:22 PM

    What a yummy trip :-D. Zuke-a-mole rocks, yaar! Napa and Sonoma are really beautiful.

    Btw, i was in San Francisco on the first weekend of August. Spent this long weekend in LA.

    And finally, vadhayian :). Federer is the dude :).

    hugs,
    musical.

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  11. lubnakarim06September 10, 2008 at 1:57 AM

    Wow something innovative. Zuke-A-Mole loks gr8 and sounds gr8.

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  12. SupriyaSeptember 10, 2008 at 1:47 PM

    Hi Richa, my first time commenting here. Love ur zuke-a-mole, can't wait to try it.

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  13. PriyankaSeptember 10, 2008 at 2:19 PM

    thats a nice twist to the usual recipe...the basil would probably enhance and lend a completely different flavor to the dip.

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  14. SusanSeptember 10, 2008 at 5:25 PM

    Brilliant, Richa! And it won't quickly turn brown like avocado. I see you have been enjoying the spoils of summer. : }

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  15. VaishaliSeptember 10, 2008 at 5:38 PM

    Richa, love, love the zuk-a-mole: what an innovative, creative recipe. And how I envy you for being able to lay your hands on all that wonderful, gorgeously fresh produce! :)

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  16. RichaSeptember 10, 2008 at 8:36 PM

    haanji musy, thanks!
    thuannu bhi bot bot vadhayian ;) yup it is a smart take on our fav guac, i thot! spices can be adjusted per taste, can be roasted but seems a bit time consuming.

    thanks kitchen flavors!

    thanks supriya & welcome to my blog. glad u liked it. do lemme' know if u try.

    thanks priyanka!
    yup basil will gv a lovely twist, i tried with mint & cori :)

    thanks susan!
    the spoils of summer indeed, very hard to let go of summer and it's bountiful gifts!!

    thanks Vaishali!
    us foodies go crazy over such produce, don't we ;)

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  17. indosungodSeptember 10, 2008 at 10:12 PM

    That is a beautiful market alright. Zuck-A-mole love the name and the dip looks great as well. I have roasted them, stir fried, made sambhar but never tried chutney with Zuchinni.

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  18. SharmiSeptember 12, 2008 at 10:34 AM

    hey Richa, how are you? lot of delicious pics in your blog. just passing by to say hi:)

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  19. TeeSeptember 12, 2008 at 1:28 PM

    I have been wondering where you disappeared..now i know ;)
    The produce pictures are too good!
    Loved the idea of Zuke-A-mole...so versatile !

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  20. RajithaSeptember 13, 2008 at 9:17 PM

    this is what happens when people take trips with food lovers and bloggers to boot...get dragged to farmer's market ;)..and zuke-a-mole...got a nice ring to it...

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  21. evolvingtastesSeptember 14, 2008 at 1:02 AM

    Gorgeous pictures of the market! Thanks for sharing, and glad you got 'em peaches.

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  22. SigSeptember 14, 2008 at 2:44 PM

    You are in love with Federer aren't you? :D
    Napa Valley, I can't wait to go there one day! Ahhh French Laundry! One day! :)
    Great pics Richa... love the name Zuke-A-mole, did you come up with that? :) Very clever!

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  23. SiaSeptember 15, 2008 at 5:22 AM

    superb pics of farmer's market richa. boy!!! u get lots of lovely goodies there:) and that dip is simply sensational. i loved the idea of using courgettes in guacamole.

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  24. news.linq.inSeptember 15, 2008 at 5:29 AM

    Oh wow....What a awesome blend of flavours

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  25. VijithaSeptember 16, 2008 at 12:54 AM

    hi
    this is my first time here...
    quite a new recipe... way to go!!

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  26. CynthiaSeptember 17, 2008 at 7:18 PM

    Love the idea of the zuke-a-mole!

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  27. SrikitchenSeptember 19, 2008 at 5:46 PM

    nice and unique recipe!
    Visit my blog while u find time and join in the chicken event going in my blog!

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  28. ShilpaSeptember 23, 2008 at 10:00 AM

    I prepared Zuke-A-mole for breakfast today along with dosas. It tasted great. Thanks dear Richa for an awesome idea.

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  29. UshaSeptember 23, 2008 at 4:39 PM

    Very creative...looks yummy :)

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  30. RichaSeptember 23, 2008 at 10:37 PM

    thanks vij and welcome here!

    thanks cynthia!

    thanks srilekha! welcome here!

    thanks shilpa! that is cool, nice to know that u tried it and liked it. i've to try so many rcp's from urs, they are so fine :)

    thanks usha, welcome here!

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  31. PravsSeptember 24, 2008 at 5:05 AM

    Miss farmer market trips i took seeing the veggie pics :( Zuke -A-mole look so yum to try idli.

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  32. Deepthi ShankarSeptember 24, 2008 at 11:41 AM

    lovely .. thtz one tasty dip .. love the name Zuke-A-Mole

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  33. Ramya's Mane AdigeSeptember 24, 2008 at 6:19 PM

    Glad you had fun in Napa Valley! Love the color of the dip!

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  34. PoohSeptember 25, 2008 at 11:36 AM

    what a neat idea!

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  35. zlamushkaSeptember 28, 2008 at 3:44 PM

    Great idea! i will definiteyl try it. Funny name, Zuke-A-mole :-)

    Richa, I hope you are participating this month´s T&T. We re cooking from Monsoon Spice. I have extended the deadline for another 10 days, so please, when you get a chance, I am sure you ll love Sia´s recipes.

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  36. SupriyaSeptember 29, 2008 at 3:28 PM

    Hi Richa I did finally make the zuke-a-mole yesterday. It was great!

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  37. MansiOctober 9, 2008 at 2:45 PM

    that looks like nature's bounty in all its glory Richa!

    Happy Dussehra to you too!:)

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  38. ChamOctober 9, 2008 at 4:20 PM

    Happy Dusshera to you and your family!

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  39. RecipeswapOctober 9, 2008 at 9:35 PM

    lovely recipe and nice photography.

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  40. KamalKitchenOctober 20, 2008 at 12:39 PM

    great pictures and good recipe..
    i have followed your blog for a while, richa, and you are one of my inspirations.. i recently started a blog.It will be great if you can visit sometime..

    thanks,
    pb

    http://kamalkitchen.blogspot.com/

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  41. UnknownOctober 20, 2008 at 12:57 PM

    first time here richa...love the header foto....zuke-a-mole looks grt....simply superb!

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  42. LaavanyaOctober 22, 2008 at 12:04 PM

    Hi Richa, just popped in to say Hi and see how you were doing since it's been a while. Also, Happy Diwali in advance.

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  43. Jersey Girl CooksOctober 25, 2008 at 11:40 PM

    I can't wait try the zukemole. Love all the pictures and beautiful blog you have.

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