Windsor Farmers Market winds down

On Sunday, the last of the year's seasonal farmers markets wraps up its 2011 season. The Windsor Farmers Market, which takes place on the east and north sides of the Town Green, ends Dec. 18.

Last Sunday, there was plenty of seasonal produce, including radishes, lettuce, parsley, cilantro, carrots, beets, broccoli, fennel, several types of kale, leeks, collard greens, garlic, shallots, onions, several types of winter squash, potatoes, mushrooms, several varieties of apples, persimmons, walnuts and almonds. There were plenty of eggs and lots of honey.

Santa Rosa Seafood does a brisk business at this market, with plenty of fresh Dungeness crab, along with other fish and shellfish. Franco's Sausages had nearly sold out of their irresistible Spanish-style chorizo and other sausages. Victorian Farmstead attends this market, which serves as a pick-up location for their CSA subscribers. Spring Hill Jersey Cheese had plenty of cheeses but was running low on its delicious European-style butters.

There are a lot of prepared food vendors at the Windsor market, offering both ingredients for cooking and ready-to-eat foods. Breads are from Panorama Bakery and there's pasta from Mama Tina's Ravioli and Pasta Poetry, which has cakes and gluten-free cookies along with hand-crafted pastas. Malaysia Mei had organic ginger pumpkin soup and a array of sauces and chutneys.

Charlie's BBQ offers tri-tip sandwiches and salads, chicken and salad, fajitas and strawberry lemonade but on Sunday, Charlie's hot dogs were so popular they were gone by noon.

"Cookie . . . Take a Bite" had 11 selections, including vanilla bean sugar sparkler, ginger molasses, lemon moon and others, several with no gluten. Flour Creations has breakfast pastries, muffins, cookies, whole-wheat bread and more.

Cook's Spices has new selections, including a beautiful mulling mixture and a gift box featuring nine spices of your choice for $50. When it comes to condiments, you'll find Alice's Salsa of Cloverdale, along with Mustard Seed Farms, The Hummus Guy and Tres Classique, which has olive oils, vinaigrettes and marinades. Handmade Pantry has a selection of granolas and yogurts, along with lemon curd.

The Windsor Farmers Market runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Its 2012 season begins in May.

Michele Anna Jordan hosts "Mouthful" each Sunday at 7 p.m. on KRCB 90.9 & 91.1 FM. E-mail Jordan at michele@micheleannajordan.com. You'll find her blog, "Eat This Now," at pantry.blogs.pressdemocrat.com/