This holiday season, locals looking for healthy options to satisfy all of their guests’ dietary preferences can find tasty options at the locally-owned natural foods store, California Organics.
“I like to prepare Thanksgiving foods in the Cali’O Deli so it’s easy to satisfy the food preferences of any guests,” said Deli Manager Jenn Gillardi.
Gillardi and her crew are hard at work making sure Nevada County’s only 100 percent organic deli is well-stocked with organic turkey, vegan options, holiday side dishes and desserts. Busy customers who don’t have time to cook can find traditional favorites, made with only organic ingredients, such as pumpkin and apple pies, roasted turkey legs and wings, sliced turkey breast and turkey gravy.
Vegans will be happy to find a number of options for them including a variety of sage and garlic infused plant-based alternative roasts, vegan stuffing, cashew vegan gravy, balsamic glazed brussels sprouts, sesame green beans, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and maple orange sweet potatoes.
Back by popular demand in the Cali’O Deli, Jenn Gillardi will have the vegan Sunshine Loaf made of sunflower seeds, ready to go in the deli, with her house made cashew gravy. For ambitious cooks who want to make the Sunshine loaf at home, try the recipe below.
“I love how the Sunshine Loaf is a delicious dish that everyone can enjoy. It’s organic, vegan and nut-free,” said Gillardi.
For omnivores, staff are taking pre-orders for organic, sustainably-raised turkeys in all sizes for different gatherings. In high-demand, it is recommended to get “on the list” early for these birds from Diestel Family Ranch. This fourth generation family farm is committed to regenerative agriculture, animal welfare and environmental standards.
For meat eaters, ethical and delicious buffalo has become a popular centerpiece to the holiday table and California Organics carries regenerative, organic-certified bison with a selection of cuts to choose from, including New York strip steak, top sirloin and ground meat.
Besides the well-stocked organic produce department and extensive wine selections, shoppers can load up their baskets with local favorites such as organic cookies from 3 Forks Bakery and rosemary sea salt baguettes from the Beehive Bakehouse.
“I love baking bread because it unites people and allows humans to connect,” said Francisco Banga, owner and baker at Beehive Bakehouse, a local sourdough bread company that supplies California Organics with daily deliveries of fresh, organic breads, baguettes and croissants.
No holiday table is complete without flowers. Native and local fall foliage table bouquets by Designer Karouna Thompson of KarounaLaLuna Flowers will bring the beauty of fall color indoors.
“Harvesting local foliage and flowers makes me feel more connected to my environment,” said Thompson.
California Organics is located at 135 Argall Way in Nevada City. The store is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. Stop by the store to pre-order an organic turkey. Learn more at californiaorganics.com.
Cali’O Deli’s SUNSHINE LOAF
Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free, Nut Free
3 ½ cups Organic Sunflower Seeds
¾ cups Organic Carrots, roughly chopped
¾ cups Celery, roughly chopped
½ cup Yellow onions, roughly chopped
1 tsp Garlic, minced
1 tbsp Organic Parsley
1 tbsp Organic Basil
1/3 cup Organic Brown Rice Flour
¼ cup Gluten Free Tamari
¼ cup Organic Sunflower Oil
1 tsp Salt
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly oil loaf pans with sunflower oil.
Finely grind sunflower seeds in a food processor in small batches, then add to a large mixing bowl.
Blend parsley, garlic, basil, tamari, and sunflower oil in a food processor. Add to sunflower seeds, mixing together with a wooden spoon. Add flour and salt and mix until combined.
Press mixture into loaf pans and bake for 45 minutes until golden brown.
Laura Petersen is a freelance writer who lives in Grass Valley. Contact her at laurapetersenmedia@gmail.com