Zucchini or Squash? Squash or Zucchini? What's the difference?

Green zucchini

Whenever I heard people say zucchini and squash, I never realized
that it was actually the same thing.  Zucchini is squash and squash is zucchini!  They are related to both the melon and the cucumber and come in many different varieties.  Even though they can differ in shape, color, size and flavor, they all share one common characteristic – You can eat the entire vegetable, including its flesh, seeds and skin.  For some squash plants the flowers they produce are also edible.  The best squash are the summer variety.  The zucchini is the narrow squash that looks like a cucumber in shape and can come in green or yellow in color and can actually have stripes or specks.  The Crooked neck and straight neck squash generally have yellow skins.  The natural state of this squash is crooked (swan like neck) while their straight neck cousin has been genetically engineered to lose the crooked neck shape.  The Pattypan Squash looks like a saucer with wavy edges.  This can come in green or a golden yellow.  This is probably my favorite of the summer squashes because it’s a bit sweeter in flavor than the others.   Squash is great sautéed, grilled and raw and especially delicious as bread!  It’s filling, satisfying and really, really good for you.

Pattypan and Straight

Zucchini is very low in calories and high in vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant and can provide protection against cardiovascular disease, and even cure asthma (due to anti-inflammatory properties).  This vegetable helps to prevent diseases like scurvy and bruising because of the Vitamin C.  Other nutrients include foliate, potassium and Vitamin A necessary for proper functioning of the human body.  Lutein coupled with the vitamin C is great for your eyes and vision.  Vitamin B6, riboflavin, manganese and phosphorus helps the body in the arrangement of capillaries and the building of healthy bones.  Manganese also helps to support a healthy immune system.  It aids in the digestion and use of essential fatty acids which is crucial for developing natural antibodies.  Magnesium in the vegetable has roles n increasing energy, metabolism along with improving muscle contractions and nerve impulse transmission.  Regular consumption can be beneficial in the prevention of colon cancer, heart disease and protects the cells from oxidation damage.

Crooked Neck 

Wild squash originated in an area between Guatemala and Mexico.  It has been consumed for over 10,000 years now and was first cultivated for their seeds because early squash was bitter and didn’t have much flesh to eat.  As time progressed, squash cultivation spread through the Americas and better varieties with sweeter tasting flesh were developed.  Christopher Columbus brought squash back to Europe from the New World.  Portuguese and Spanish explorers introduced their cultivation throughout the world.  Today the largest commercial producers of squash include China, Japan, Romania, Turkey, Italy, Egypt and Argentina.

I was surprised not to find California on the list, with all the squash and zucchini varieties sold at the Farmers Market each week!  Bon Appétit!

written by Autumn, 15 - El Camino High School

Meet the Winners of the Salsa Contest at the Carmichael Park Farmers Markets

On Sunday, September 18, 2011 over 1,000 tastings were offered to patrons who visit the BeMoneySmartUSA Farmers Market at the Carmichael Park.  They all had the pleasure, yet difficult task of voting for their "Market Favorite Salsa".  Participants included both commercial/business entities and amateur/individual entrants.  Awards were given to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in both categories.  Lines formed to taste fourteen different salsas!  Salsas entered included sweet salsas made with mangos, onions, and cilantro.  Others were more traditional with a combination of red tomatoes, onions, garlic, cilantro and spices.  There were mild and hot salsas that included some of the season's best jalapenos too!  There was something for everyone.  But, there was no doubt who had the best salsa and voted the Market Favorite(s).

BeMoneySmartUSA Farmers Market Offers Amazing Opportunities to Teens!

With economic times as tough as they are, teens too are in trouble when it comes to getting jobs.  That is why it is so fantastic that, through their  Farmers Markets, BeMoneySmartUSA offers a variety of job opportunities to teens not only to earn money but to learn valuable business skills.

Through the nonprofit’s Rent-A-Teen program, local farmers and vendors can hire youth who have been trained in the BeMoneySmartUSA business and financial literacy workshops to assist at the BeMoneySmartUSA Farmer’s Market.  In addition,

BeMoneySmartUSA offers other paid positions.  Teens may work in hospitality, greeting and helping those who come to the Farmer’s Market. They can also act as freelance writers, interviewing customers and vendors and sharing information in the Farmer’s Market monthly newsletter.

In addition to training teens, BeMoneySmartUSA gives back to the community! Workers collect several pounds of fresh produce from the farmers to donate to local youth charities, such as WIND Youth Services and Our Youth Breakfast Club.  “The Farmers Market is just an extension of the relevant experience and education they are all getting by participating in the Rent-A-Teen program and we are truly blessed to partner with an organization that gives back to youth and the community,” states Kelly Grady, mohter of three teenage girls who attended the finance and business camps and all work with BeMoneySmartUSA.

The BeMoneySmartUSA Farmer’s Market is a win-win situation for everyone involved:  the farmers, the teens, the costumers and local charities.  “We want to provide a model of business that helps the teens, the community and the businesses who participate to experience something more than the status quo,” says Don Hall, Market Manager, in this month’s Carmichael Times and American River Messenger.

At BeMoneySmartUSA’s unique Carmichael Farmer’s Market, youth gain job experience while earning an income, and advance their confidence and social skills while working with the community.  If you have not yet experienced the hospitality and plentiful selection of produce at the BeMoneySmartUSA Farmer’s Market,  please come for a visit!  It is open every Saturday at the Sunrise Mall in Citrus Heights, 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and every Sunday at the Carmichael Park from 9 am to 2 pm, rain or shine, all year round!

BeMoneySmartUSA is featured this month in the Carmichael Times as well as in the American River Messenger!  The articles provided  an in-depth look at how BeMoneySmartUSA is using its Carmichael Farmer’s Market to further its goal to financially educate youth. Free copies of the articles are available this month!

BeMoneySmartUSA works with schools, churches, youth organizations and businesses to provide FREE finance and business workshops to both youth and adults.  For more information about BeMoneySmartUSA workshops visit www.bemoneysmartusa.org. To sponsor a BeMoneySmartUSA program, email info@bemoneysmartusa.org or call (916) 806-3989.

Written by Clayton, 16, Folsom High School

Meet Our Market Manager: Twyla Teitzel!

Twyla Teitzel - Market Manager for Sunrise FM

Twyla is the Market Manager for the BeMoneySmartUSA Farmers Market at the Sunrise Mall.  She has always been a healthy eating enthusiast and as a vegan, she especially enjoys fresh organically grown fruits and vegetables as they make up much of her daily diet.  She has always loved attending farmers markets as a patron and has known the founder Marie Hall of BeMoneySmartUSA for many years.  When Don and Marie Hall opened the market at the mall they asked her to manage it as they knew she has always been interested in supporting healthy eating and supporting local farmers to bring locally grown produce to the communities.

Twyla also teaches yoga and has now for over eleven years.  As part of her teaching model, she always encourages her students to eat healthful healing foods.   Her oldest daughter, Danielle, graduated from Baumen Nutrition School and her younger daughter, Candiss, works at the strawberry booth at the Sunrise Mall Farmers Market as part of the Rent-A-Teen program.

Twyla tells me she is excited to make the Farmers Market a family tradition to visit. She wants the families to know that there's something for everyone here. Twyla says she also can't wait to bring more organic foods to the Farmers Market.

Twyla explains that one of the unique and important features about this market  is that it is run by the non-profit organization, BeMoneySmartUSA that offers free classes to teens that teach financial and business education.   Through programs like the Rent-A-Teen, youth have the opportunity to learn and earn a wage at the market when farmers hire them to run their booths. Teens gain experience working with the public, customer service, and marketing. These skills are especially important for developing their confidence and skills to be successful in the job market.

Written by Caysie, 13 - Barrett Middle School

Local Charter School Takes Initiative to Provide Financial &Entrepreneruship Education to Their Students

BeMoneySmartUSA Foundation is partnering with the Sacramento Leadership Coop sponsored through the Horizon Charter School at the Our Lady of Guadalupe School in downtown Sacramento to bring entrepreneurial classes to students in grades 4 through 12.  Two courses, sixteen hours each, will be individually tailored to three age groups, all including fun games, activities, and demonstrations:

• 4th and 5th graders in the business course will be treated to a variety of interactive games helping them explore the basics of business, such as supply and demand.  In the financial education class offered by BeMoneySmartUSA, they will learn to better understand the value of money, how to save it and when to spend it.

• 6th through 8th graders in the business course will learn the eight main steps to starting a business, how to recognize market opportunities, and how to develop a stable, successful business plan.  The financial course for middle school students will discuss the economy, financial goals, investing and even give students the opportunity to create a mock investment portfolio.

• High school students in the business course will get an in depth view of business ownership and management while making real-world financial decisions and writing a feasible business plan.  In the financial class, they will learn about finances using a  hands-on approach.  They will work through an eleven unit lesson plan, including topics such as saving, investing and avoiding debt.

BeMoneySmartUSA looks forward to working with Our Lady of Guadalupe and providing a fun and educational experience for their students!

Annina, 13 - Olympus Middle School