More than 50 people turned out for the first Yosemite Footihill Foodie cooking and wellness workshop hosted by Yosemite Home Companion at Fresno Flats Historic Village in Oakhurst.
Led by midwife, herbalist, and organic farmer Rebecca Zollinger, the purpose of the cutting-edge gathering was to learn the technique and reasoning behind the creation of Magic Mineral Broth. For almost two hours, the gathered community members listened and participated as Becca touted the virtues of a variety of herbs and vegetables.
Most of the ingredients used in the wholesome vegan broth were grown at the Kern Family Farm, where Rebecca has recently moved following her engagement to farmer Aaron Kern.
The Kern Family Farm is an 80-acre farm near North Fork that utilizes agroecology and permaculture methodologies to not only produce nutrient-dense food but to improve the health of the land, the air, the water, and the community for current and future generations.
The Kern Family also owns and operates the area’s only organic grocery store, The Gnarly Carrot in North Fork, providing nutritious organic produce sourced from Kern Farm as well as other local organic farms.
Back at Fresno Flats, Rebecca lent her expertise to the workshop group, having previously developed and taught a two-year graduate program in botanical medicine at Bastyr University, and founded a community-based herbal program on her organic medicinal herb farm in Washington State.
The many scores of seekers in attendance at the Foothill Foodie workshop learned as Becca demonstrated, step by step, the best way to capture the most nutrition from each of thevenerable ingredients, including and not limited to organic onion, garlic, beets, carrot, celery, parsley, cilantro, potatoes, rosemary, thyme and shitake mushrooms.
Becca also supplied soaking bags containing a mixture of dried astralagus root, reike mushroom and calendula flower. Mix all these items together, cover, cook and strain — until a deep yet light, densley nutritious and uber-flavorful broth emerges without the use of animal fats.
Together the congenial bunch of women, men and teens followed Becca through the process of making nourishing “magic mineral broth” that can be used alone, hot or cold, as the base for any soup or water-based dish this winter and spring.
The foodies who came together at Fresno Flats this weekend are the first to attend what is planned to be a monthly workshop series designed to unite neighbors around issues of food and wellness and to enhance the vibrancy of our communities while supporting whole foods and sustainable agriculture.
The team behind Yosemite Home Companion, including Kellie Flanagan and Jennifer Moss, is busy stirring the pot with new ideas and ways for the community to gather — and they want to hear your suggestions.
In the meantime, see what’s brewing at yosemitehomecompanion.com.
Workshops in the planning stages include:
- Locally foraged foods (including a foraging walk)
- Cooking with lavender
- Workshops for teens
- Healthy Ayurvedic with mind, body and spirit
- Sneaking kale into everything
- Sustainable seafood tricks and tips
- Baking pies, cakes and cookies
- Awesome camping recipes
- Special programs designed by local chefs just for you
Check out our partners at Visit Yosemite Madera County and stay tuned for our next adventure as we continue to grow this community because — we can.
For more information, and to stay informed on future fun, send an email to kellie@yosemitehomecompanion.com.
Yosemite Home Companion: The Locals’ Guide to Life in the Yosemite Mountain Area is the quintessential guide for anyone contemplating a move to the Yosemite mountain area, planning on it, have already made the move or are visiting the Sierra.
You can find Yosemite Home Companion at Branches Books & Gifts and other local stores or online at Amazon.
Written by two city “transplants,” Kellie Flanagan and Jennifer Moss have put together a valuable local guide on everything from finding and maintaining your mountain home to area schools, events, festivals, business & careers, wildlife… and more!
Covering the Eastern Madera towns of Oakhurst, Coarsegold, Bass Lake, North Fork, Ahwanee and Fish Camp — watch for YHC Mariposa coming this spring.