Dear Friends of Quince,
As we welcome a new year, we also celebrate the unique beauty of winter on the coast of Bolinas, where Fresh Run Farm thrives. The cooler months bring misty mornings, gentle rains, and rich, loamy soil—ideal conditions for nurturing the season’s most vibrant produce. From the farm to your plate, January is a testament to the harmony between the land, the climate, and sustainable agriculture.
From earthy truffles to vibrant citrus, January’s harvest is a celebration of nature’s finest. Here’s a look at the produce that inspires the Quince menu this season, straight from Fresh Run Farm.
- White and Black Truffles: Winter’s crown jewels, these truffles lend an unparalleled depth of flavor and luxury to our dishes, sourced with care to highlight their pure, aromatic essence.
- Citrus: The coastal climate of Bolinas, with its temperate days and crisp nights, creates the perfect environment for citrus trees to thrive. Oranges, tangerines, lemons, and grapefruits reach their peak sweetness and acidity, bringing a vibrant brightness to winter dishes.
- Chicories: Chicories like radicchio, escarole, and frisée thrive in the colder months, delivering their signature bitterness and a perfect balance of crispness and complexity.
- Cabbage: Winter’s chill coaxes out the sweetness in cabbage, making it a versatile staple on the farm and in the kitchen. Cabbage shines in its many forms—whether raw and crisp or cooked to bring out its sweetness.
- Leeks: Grown slowly in the mild coastal winters, leeks develop their signature delicate, onion-like flavor, perfect for soups and sauces that highlight their natural sweetness.
- Root Vegetables: Carrots, parsnips, and other root vegetables are abundant, offering sweet, earthy tones that shine whether roasted, pureed, or featured in intricate preparations.
- Potatoes: Grown in rotation with cover crops to nurture the soil, the farm’s potatoes are creamy and flavorful, perfect for winter’s heartier preparations.
- Leafy Greens: Vibrant and nutritious, greens like spinach and chard flourish in the cooler months, adding balance and vitality to our winter table.
- Brassicas: Kale, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower reach their peak in winter, providing a slightly bitter yet vibrant contrast to sweeter ingredients.
- Winter Squash: Butternut, delicata, and kabocha squash bring a comforting sweetness and hearty texture to winter dishes.
- Wild Mushrooms: Foraged locally, varieties like chanterelles and porcini offer an earthy, umami-rich depth that enhances the flavors of the season.
Every ingredient we feature at Quince is a reflection of Northern California’s unique terroir and our deep connection to Fresh Run Farm. This partnership ensures that each element on your plate is sustainably grown, thoughtfully harvested, and an authentic expression of the season.
We invite you to join us this January to savor the flavors of winter’s harvest. Our team at Quince is dedicated to transforming these exceptional ingredients into dishes that celebrate the beauty and bounty of the season.
We look forward to welcoming you soon.
Warm regards,
Farmer Peter Martinelli, Chef Michael Tusk, and The Quince Team