Welcome to your tenth ReFresh newsletter of the season! As we move through the year, we’re thrilled to bring you a mix of fresh ideas, community events, and seasonal recipes to inspire your kitchen and connect you to local flavors. Alongside delicious recipes, you’ll find updates on upcoming events, workshops, and gatherings where we connect, learn, and share together. We hope these resources bring a little extra flavor and joy to your week. Thank you for being part of our community—let’s dig in!
In this newsletter, you will find:
– LAST Online ReFresh Cooking Class
– Learn more about Quince and its health benefits in “Featured Bag Item” section..
– A few simple recipes that you can make with the fresh ingredients in your ReFresh bag!
– Check out the information for the Tellabration!™ Storytelling at the Los Ranchos Agri-Nature Center, Farmily Music at Chispas Farm, and Community Stitch Night, in the “Community Resource” section.
We hope you enjoy this newsletter and thank you for your participation as we work together to build a healthy local food system. Happy holiday season! Stay warm.
Text your questions, photos, and comments to: (505) 226-3707.
Quince is a unique, golden-yellow fruit that has been cherished for centuries in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and European cuisines [1]. Nutritionally, quince is rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C, and beneficial antioxidants, offering immune support and digestive benefits [2]. When quince is cooked, a natural reaction occurs in the fruit changing its color from a pale yellow to a lovely pink or even red! This happens because the natural compounds in the fruit react to heat, bringing out a vibrant color [3]. Adding a splash of lemon juice can make this pink color even brighter. This unique transformation is one of the things that makes quince so special to use in the kitchen!
Did you know, unlike most fruits, quince is best enjoyed cooked rather than raw? When heated, its hard flesh softens, and its flavor transforms, developing a rich sweetness and hints of apple, pear, and citrus.
So what are the best ways to use quince?
In savory dishes, quince is a wonderful addition to stews and roasts, adding a layer of complexity and a subtle tartness that balances well with meats and spices. In desserts, quince can be used in jams, jellies, and compotes, creating a naturally sweet filling that pairs wonderfully with baked goods.
Join the November Refresh Cooking class while we make Quince Jam with Beets.
Have more questions about food and nutrition? Send your questions to [email protected]
Disclaimer: The information shared by Three Sisters Kitchen (TSK) is for general informational purposes only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a doctor or other health care provider.
This Pork Chops with Apples and Quince recipe combines protein-rich pork with nutrient-dense fruits for a meal that’s both hearty and healthy. Pork chops provide lean protein and essential minerals like zinc and iron, supporting muscle health and immunity [4]. Apples and quince add a dose of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants, which promote digestive health and help combat inflammation [2]. The natural sweetness of apples and quince balances the savory flavors, making this dish a nourishing choice that’s rich in flavor and beneficial nutrients.
This Rigatoni with Roasted Delicata (or Jester) Squash recipe combines hearty pasta with nutrient-rich vegetables for a balanced, comforting meal. Both delicata and jester squash are excellent sources of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that the body converts into vitamin A to support immune health, vision, and skin [5]. They are also high in vitamin C, which boosts immunity and aids in collagen production for skin health. Additionally, both types of squash are rich in fiber, which promotes healthy digestion, and they offer a variety of B vitamins (including folate) to support energy [5].
This Slow Cooker Vegan Chili is a nutritious, plant-powered meal that’s rich in fiber, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals. Made with a mix of beans, vegetables, and spices, this dish provides an excellent source of plant-based protein and fiber to support digestion and keep you feeling full [6]. The beans (such as black beans, kidney beans, or pinto beans) are packed with iron, folate, and potassium, which help with energy production, heart health, and maintaining healthy blood pressure [7].
Mullins AP, Arjmandi BH. Health Benefits of Plant-Based Nutrition: Focus on Beans in Cardiometabolic Diseases. Nutrients. 2021;13(2):519. Published 2021 Feb 5. doi:10.3390/nu13020519
Join Storytellers of New Mexico brings TELLABRATION!™ to Los Ranchos for an enchanting evening! This family-friendly event celebrates the art of storytelling with tales inspired by nature, farm life, family, and food. Featuring talented storytellers Joe Hayes, Sarah Malone, Liz Mangual, and Matilde Machiavelli, with music by Armando Ortega and emceed by Bob Kanegis, this event is a unique opportunity to enjoy captivating stories that unite communities across generations.
A brief intermission will offer time to recharge, and a dinner break will follow the performances, with an on-site food truck available. You’re also welcome to bring your own picnic. Come for an evening of magic, connection, and
Join Chispas Farm for Farmily Music, a joyful gathering for families of all sizes! Together we’ll sing, play, dance, and connect with each other and the natural beauty of Chispas Farm—its animals, plants, land, and water. It’s a fun, interactive morning designed to bring out smiles and create memories with loved ones in a unique farm setting.
Expect to find shade, seating on stumps and logs, wood-chip paths, and a composting toilet on the farm. Feel free to bring blankets, instruments, refillable water bottles, chairs, and anything to make you comfortable as the gathering will take place in the “woods” area on the northwest corner of the farm.
Dates: November 13 and December 11
Recurrence: Recurring monthly on the 2nd Wednesday
Bring your current fiber arts project—whether it’s knitting, crocheting, weaving, cross-stitch, or any other type of stitchwork—and enjoy an evening of crafting and conversation with fellow creators at the National Hispanic Cultural Center’s Monthly Stitch & Social! This informal gathering is perfect for meeting others who share your passion for fiber arts in a warm, welcoming environment.
If you’re interested in learning the basics of a new stitching technique, bring your own supplies, though we will also have basic crochet and knitting materials available for impromptu demonstrations. This free community event is open to young adults and adults, welcoming crafters of all skill levels. So grab your latest project, and join for an evening of creativity and connection!
Thank You!
Special thanks to all of the farmers and food producers working so hard to feed our communities; our partner organizations who helped to recruit ReFresh families: Kids’ Cook, Together for Brothers, Working Classroom, Mandy’s Farm, New Mexico Asian Family Center, SOL Housing, and YES Housing; to the staff, volunteers, donors, and ReFresh families who make the program work, and to our partners at MoGro Mobile Grocery, who pack these beautiful ReFresh bags each week for us, and who do so much important work connecting communities to healthy food throughout New Mexico. There would be no ReFresh program without all of you – we love our partners!
