Linn's in Cambria CA

Every year here in the Central Valley of California the summer temperatures make trips to our beautiful coastline a must for my family. We love the beautiful scenery and the feel of an ocean breeze. We travel from Santa Cruz south to Pismo and all points in between but when we are in close proximity, we always stop at Linn's in Cambria.

If you have never been to Cambria and you are thinking of making a trip to the central coast, you owe it to yourself to stop in and enjoy some of Linn's famous Olallieberry creations. They offer many different selections made with multiple fruits, but their use of the Olallie has brought us back to there restaurant and gift shop time after time. From preserves to muffins to homemade pies, they have made the Olallieberry a favorite in my house.

This year has seen many retail locations selling record numbers of berries and vegetables to consumers that are looking to grow their own food. The health benefits of berries have been well documented and it seems that their popularity will continue to grow as more folks find out about the diverse uses for the fruit. You can prepare these versatile fruits in your favorite recipes or you can enjoy them fresh off of the vine.

Load your family into the car and take a drive to one of the most beautiful areas in California and enjoy yourself! If a trip to Cambria is not in the cards for you at the moment, please visit them at their website, www.linnsfruitbin.com and browse through their offerings. You will not be disappointed!

Champagne Peaches!

Every year I await the coming of August and mourn its passing because it is the month that my favorite peach ripens.  If you like sweet, juicy, white peaches then the Champagne is for you.  Just save some for me.

It is good enough to pick and eat while standing next to the tree or you can take things a step further and use it to make multiple culinary delights.  For a number of years it has been the main ingredient in homemade peach jam that has become something of legend around the L.E. Cooke office.  Try them in ice cream or marinate them in a good sweet wine and grill them at your next barbecue.  Or you can always just stand in the yard next to the tree and gobble to your hearts content.

Lloyd Cassidy 9-8-2009