Ripe Now! Collard Greens I Thanksgiving recipes, Giving Tuesday, Green Friday, and more

Thanksgiving is fast approaching! As we scramble for Thanksgiving recipes, we're feeling increasingly grateful for staple greens like collards. They might not be placed at the center of the table, but isn't it the sides that make the meal? Collards are also as reliable as they are tasty. Just like the farmers who grow them, they can be found at the market year round, rain or shine.

Pick up a bunch at Full Belly Farm, Golden Rule Organics, Oya Organics, or Avalos Farm.

Easy Eating: Collards are the perfect backdrop for bolder flavors. Try Fall Harvest Collard Green Rolls or a Raw Collard Green Salad with Roasted Squash, Almonds, and Parmesan. Or opt for more classic dishes with Southern-Style Collard Greens or Collard Green Soup with Ham and Beans.

Easy Reading: Thanksgiving has dark origins to say the least, and is not a celebration for everyone. Reimagine your current traditions with 3 Ways to Decolonize your Thanksgiving. Spoiler: Number two is serving locally sourced food where and when you can.

Cozy Collard Casserole

From the Full Belly Farm Kitchen

Ingredients

1 bunch collards, washed, stemmed and sliced thin
1 cup breadcrumbs
1 cup walnuts
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, diced
4 teaspoons butter
1 cup (dry) penne or other similar pasta
1 cup jack cheese, grated
1 teaspoon nutmeg
Salt and Pepper

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350º.
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the collards until tender, about 4 or 5 minutes. Remove the collards but bring the water to a boil again to cook the pasta. Drain the collards, gently squeezing out the liquid.
Toast the walnuts in a small sauce pan, flipping them occasionally to make sure that they don't burn. Set them aside to cool. Once cool, chop them coarsely.
Heat a sauté pan and melt half of the butter. Sauté the diced onion and garlic in the pan. Stir in the collards and sprinkle with a bit of salt and pepper, and the nutmeg.
Melt the remaining butter in an 8x10in baking pan. Add the pasta, onion, garlic, and collards mixture. Sprinkle on a layer of cheese, then spread the walnuts and breadcrumbs on the top. Heat it up in the oven for about 30 minutes.

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This Week's Vendors

Saturday Downtown Berkeley

Blue Heron

~~Brokaw Ranch~~

Billy Bob Orchard

Avalos Farm

Kaki Farm

Good Faith Farm

Golden Rule Organics

~~Lifefood Gardens~~

Flying Disc Ranch

Achadinha Cheese Co.

Little Fish

Kashiwase Farm

Stepladder Creamery

Happy Boy Farms

True Grass Farm

Solano Mushroom

Riverdog Farm

Smit Farms

Gattonelli

Frog Hollow Farm

Higher Land Coffee

Tony's Kettle Corn + Crepes

Andy's Thai

Tamales La Oaxaqueña

Cafe Zambala

Beber Almond Milk

Big Little Bowl

Your Granola Garden

Laguna Garden Bakery

Morell's Bread

Obour Hummus

Queen of Sheeba Honey

Phoenix Pastificio

Bolani

Coracao

Primavera Tamales

Three Stone Hearth

Bun Bao

All Things Sharp

Joodooboo Tofu

Tuesday South Berkeley

Kaki Farms

Avalos Farm

Massa Organics

Billy Bob Orchard

Oya Organics

Blue Heron Farm

~~Brokaw Ranch~~

Blossom Bluff Orchard

~~Lifefood Gardens~~

Full Belly Farm

Good Faith Farm

(every other week)

Lucero Organics

Solano Mushroom

Dirty Girl Produce

Kashiwase Farm

Sea to Sky Farm (new!)

(every other week)

Stepladder Creamery

Riverdog Farm

Smit Farms

Frog Hollow Farm

Little Fish Co.

Queen of Sheeba Honey

Phoenix Pastificio

Bolani

The Fruit Tree

Andy's Thai

Donna's Tamales

Three Stone Hearth

Flying Disc

Thursday North Berkeley

Little Fish

Pomo Tierra Orchard

Massa Organics

Golden Rule Organics

E&H Mushroom Farm

Riverdog Farm

Frog Hollow Farm

Happy Boy Farms

Sea to Sky Farm (new!)

Phoenix Pastificio

Big Little Bowl

Donna's Tamales

Morell's Bread

Upland Apiary

All Things Sharp

The Fruit Tree (new!)

Learn More About the Berkeley Farmers' Market

Giving Tuesday Membership Drive

Tuesday, Nov 29, 2022

South Berkeley Farmers' Market

We're following up the Thanksgiving holiday with a membership drive. All are welcome—renew your Ecology Center membership, purchase one for a friend, or join for the first time.

What're the perks of being a member?

10% discount on all merchandise at Ecology Center Store
20% discount on all books
Lending Privileges at our Library
Discounts on Ecology Center classes and events
Invitations to special, members-only Ecology Center events

Best of all, it will help further our mission of a healthy local food system, ensure our community has equity and access in our food system, and support local farmers whose farms keep local dollars in the community and cool the climate by sequestering carbon.

Become a Member

EcoStore Holiday Sales Kick Off Next Week

This holiday season, there are two opportunities to shop guilt-free and plastic-free!

Green Friday Sale on Friday, November 26: Come in and shop with the code GREEN FRIDAY and get 15% off your purchase! Open from 11a to 6p.

Annual Member Sale from Friday to Sunday, December 2 to 4: Member's get 20% off their purchase! Plus, from 1pm to 5pm each day, you'll have the chance to meet local vendors at our pop-up Eco Marketplace. It's the perfect spot for holiday gift-giving!

Finally, sign up for or renew your membership the day of your purchase and get entered to win one of many eco-prizes!

Extended Holiday Hours in December

Dec 1 through Dec 23

Sun–Thurs: 11a to 6p

Fri & Sat: 11a to 7p

Fri, Dec 24: 11a to 3p

Visit Our Website

WIC & Senior Farmers' Market Checks Expire November 30, 2022

The last day to use WIC FMNP and SFMNP at the Berkeley Farmers' Markets and other authorized markets is Wednesday, November 30, 2022.

Questions? Head to the farmers' market info booth or email WICFMNP@cdph.ca.gov

How can you recycle your election signs?

Now that we have finished another election cycle, Ecology Center’s Help Desk has provided a video resource for proper sign disposal, or if you are looking for a new project, see the list of recommended DIY configurations using yard sign components in the description.