Inside Northern Nevada June 2021

Celebrating

INSIDE Northern Nevada Arts • Foods • Events

Northern

Nevada’s

Rich Basque Heritage

Inside:

Photo Cool off Basque Kruisin’

Contest See page 3

With Lucid see page 7

Cuisine

See page 14

in the Park See Page 15

Photo Credit: Alicia Cramer & Marie-Jeann Dawson

Events CALENDAR Schellraiser Music Festival Schellraiser 2021 brings musical acts from as far away as Philadelphia, Dallas, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, New Orleans and beyond to Eastern Nevada’s spectacular Steptoe Valley June 3 - 6, 2021 to raise decibel levels -- and money for the nonprofit Nevada Northern Railway’s McGill Depot and McGill railroad track restoration projects. Featuring Old 97’s, Houndmouth, Shannon Shaw, BRONCHO, The Dirty River Boys, Beach Slang, The Cactus Blossoms, Starcrawler, The Last Bandoleros and more!

3

Koyote Kruiser’s Show ‘n’ Shine Car Show Come Join us for our 25th Show ‘n’ Shine Car Show at Vesco Park on Saturday June 19, 2021. There will be a raffle with a grand prize of $200, a free tshirt for the first 100 entries, kids games/prizes and food and vendors at the park. All makes and models welcome, registration is at 8 a.m. and the day is finished off with a street cruise starting at 7 p.m. For information contact Phil 775-304-8031 or Harvey 775-340-1484.

19

20

70th Annual Father’s Day BBQ

T h e Paradise Valley Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting their 70th Annual Father’s Day BBQ at the Fireman’s Park on June 20th from 1-4pm. It is always a great day in Paradise Valley. The beef is cooked the old-fashioned way, garlic-infused smothered with a rub then wrapped in foil, burlap and secured with wire. The meat is then set in an underground pit fueled with hot sagebrush coals that have been covered with sand. The pit is then topped with metal sheeting, retaining the heat to allow the meat to cook overnight.

The homemade BBQ sauce is mouth watering. Also served are cowboy beans, tossed green salad, french bread and watermelon.

The Paradise Valley 4H club usually serves ice cream and cool refreshments. The local school PTO hosts a cow flop.

There is plenty of fun for all, including foot races for the kids and adults, a nail driving contest for the women and horseshoe pitch-

ing. There are a wide variety of door prizes, raffle and silent auction items, which are generously donated by local businesses. If you would like to donate to this event please contact a Paradise Valley Fireman or Dennis Deputy at 775-304-0402 or mail directly to PO BOX 19 Paradise Valley, NV 89426.

Proceeds from the BBQ go towards the funding and maintenance of the Fireman’s Park in addition to the PVFD scholarship fund.

Eureka Gold Rush Games Never has there been a better time to recognize the importance of mining to Nevada families.

Western Spirit Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on economic development in rural Nevada invites you to celebrate Nevada’s mining heritage at the Eureka Gold Rush Games™ at the Eureka County Fairgrounds!

This family friendly event, June 26th – 27th, is an 1800s style mining competition with events such as Single Jack, Double Jack, Hand Mucking, Jack Leg Drilling, and more! Enjoy food, vendors, fun, concerts and games for the whole family! Tickets are available for the Grubstake Banquet – seating is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance.

Register online to compete and bring the BOOM! Visit EurekaGoldRushGames.com to compete and order banquet tickets.

Advertising Inquiries

INSIDE Northern Nevada Arts • Foods • Events

Sales Manager Stephanie Johnson (775) 623-5011 ext. 212 Jacklyn Orr (775) 623-5011 ext. 220 Ashley Buckingham (775) 304-8814 Main Office Line (775) 623-5011

Inside Northern Nevada Published May — October by Nevada News Group Home Office: 1022 S. Grass Valley Rd., Winnemucca, NV 89445 Call us toll free: (866) 644-5011 Editorial Inquiries: Samantha Andersen — inn@winnemuccapublishing.net

2 INSIDE NORTHERN NEVADA | JUNE 2021

26

Inside:

Photo Cool off Basque Kruisin’

Contest See page 3

With Lucid see page 7

Cuisine

See page 14

in the Park See Page 15

Photo Credit: Alicia Cramer & Marie-Jeann Dawson

Photos wanted

Submit photos for a chance to have it featured as the cover art for upcoming issues!

This month’s photos are courtesy of Marie-Jeann Dawson and Alicia Cramer Inside Northern Nevada magazine wants to feature local photos on the cover. The publisher of INN, Winnemucca Publishing, is soliciting photos from local photographers in the tri-county area; the winners for each month will have their photos featured as the cover art for issues from May through October with full credit.

Since the photos must be printed in a larger format, the quality is crucial; photos taken with a cell phone are typically OK unless the user zoomed in through the phone, which significantly degrades quality.

Photographers who wish to submit photos are asked to abide by the following parameters: • Do not edit, resize, crop or enlarge the photo; • Send full resolution. The photo must be at least 300dpi. This means photos copied or saved directly through social media or a website will not work (they are typically 72 dpi) as they will be too pixelated when resized for print; • Do not zoom in too much on the subject.

We are able to utilize “dead space” when resizing for print; • Photos should clearly feature the elements of that month’s theme

By submitting, potential winners agree the photos that are chosen become the property of Winnemucca Publishing and may be used in future publications.

INN is distributed throughout the I-80 corridor and features light-hearted stories that go with each month’s theme, as well as upcoming events, recipes, crafts and ideas to make summer 2021 the best it can be!

We want our readers to have fun with this project! This might mean taking a photo of your kids hanging haphazardly out of the windows of your RV (while parked, of course) or cooking a meal outside in a Dutch oven together (August’s issue). Be creative and send your photos to inn@winnemuccapublishing.net with the name of the month you’re submitting for in the subject line. Oh, and a pro-tip: we prefer people in the photos!

We will respond to the winners as we go.

The deadline for submissions is the 10th of every month for the following month’s issue.

So if you are submitting for May, you must have your photos in by April 10.

The photos do not necessarily have to be current, but they have to be of high enough quality to enlarge them for the front cover, so scanned photos will not work.

Remaining INN themes for this year July — Family activities (board games, movie nights, family crafts, outdoor activities) August — Camping & Fishing in northern Nevada September — Ghost towns and where to find them October — Celebrating Native American Heritage

Submit photos to inn@ winnemuccapublishing.net

INSIDE NORTHERN NEVADA | JUNE 2021 3

What is basque?

Basque is a people, place and a language.

According to The North American Basque Organizations (NABO), Basque originates from seven traditional provinces that bridge the border between Spain and France. “They are neither Spanish nor French in origin: long before the precursors of the modern Spanish and French people--the Indo-Europeans—the Basques inhabited this small corner of Europe.

Their unique language they call Euskara. It is like no other language spoken in Europe—or the world.”

According to NABO, Basques were among the earliest Europeans in the New World coming with Columbus and even earlier as PHOTO COURTESY OF NABO

A map of the seven traditional provinces that the Basque people originate from.

4 INSIDE NORTHERN NEVADA | JUNE 2021

whalers. The Basques came with the flood of prospectors when gold was discovered in 1849 in the California region. Those who didn’t find themselves rich with gold turned to labor and commerce including the thriving cattle market.

According to NABO, when drought decimated cattle herds many Basques turned to raising sheep. “…that is what produced the link with Basque sheepherding that is synonymous with many Basques though ironically, most who came here FILE PHOTO

Below — A mural in Ely, NV depicting a Basque sheepherder.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NABO

French side or Northern Basque Country known as Iparralde: Labourd (Lapurdi), Lower Navarre (Baxe Nafarroa) and Soule (Xiberoa) are part of the Pyrénées Atlantiques département (which it shares with the Béarn region).

Spanish side or Southern Basque Country known as Hegoalde: Biscay (Bizkaia), Guipúzcoa (Gipuzkoa) and Álava (Araba) make up the Basque Autonomous Region whose administrative capital is Vitoria-Gasteiz. Navarre is an autonomous region in its own right whose administrative capital is Pamplona-Iruñea.

INSIDE NORTHERN NEVADA | JUNE 2021 5

had little experience raising sheep. But the sheep business was just one route, and soon Basques found themselves in various occupations.”

Europe’s Mystery People

If this piques your interest NABO has more on the theories of the Basque’s origins and also reading suggestions for those who want to dive deeper. Their website is www.nabasque.eus

The true origin of the Basque people is lost to history. However, according to NABO there is no shortage of theories that seek to explain their origins.

“They range from the incredulous (that Basques are the survivors the lost people of Atlantis, the fabled land that sunk into the sea) the mythical (Basques are descendants of Aitor, the first Basque man) the pre-historic (Basques descended from the Stone Age, proponents pointing to Basque words for tools that all incorporate stone) the expansive (purported links with other distant languages) to the probable (Basques are descendants of the Iberians, people who once inhabited Spain).”

Whether or not the origins of the Basque people can date back 70,000 years ago or around 5,000 B.C. NABO states it is certain that the Basques are the oldest indigenous people of western Europe.

DINING SPOTLIGHT Dine-In • Carry-Out • Catering

1985 W. Winnemucca Blvd Winnemucca, NV 89445 775-623-2000 1770 Mountain City Hwy Elko, NV 89801 775-753-4935

Locations: 775-625-4024

1734 W Winnemucca Blvd Winnemucca, NV 89445

Expires December 31, 2021

775-778-0606

1760 Mountain City HWY Elko, NV 89801

Call (775) 623-5011 to put your restaurant in the spotlight!

6 INSIDE NORTHERN NEVADA | JUNE 2021

The Ikurrina

What do the colors mean to you?

The Ikurrina is the national but unofficial symbol of the entire Basque Country. It is still the flag of the Basque Nationalist Party and Basque Autonomous Community. While not a nation-state flag, it is a unifying symbol for Basque everywhere.

Known as the Ikurrina, the flag was created in 1894 by Sabino Arana and his brother Luis. It was originally created for Bizkaia, but the popularity of the symbol caused the rest of Euskadi to adopt the flag for all of Euskadi. In 1936 the Ikurrina was declared the Basque flag.

In the Basque-Spanish country, after the Spanish war the Ikurrina was made illegal, forbidden, and declared as a separatist symbol. However, after the last Spanish dictatorship, the Ikurrina was declared by law as the official Basque flag. It was always allowed in the Basque-French country.

The Ikurrina can be found in the background of the official flag for Johnson County, Wyoming and also used in the unofficial flag of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, an overseas territory of France off the Canadian coast near Newfoundland and Labrador.

It seems there is a little debate on what the colors of the flag stand for exactly. Below are a few examples found while researching: Red - Bizkaian or Basque people Green - Oak of Gernika or fueros of Bizkaia White - Catholic devotion

Red - blood the people of the Basque Country are willing to shed for their land Green - independence White - Catholic devotion Red - coat of arms of Bizkaia

Green - humbleness, suffering, and hope White - ethical values of the Basque people Red - Red tile roofs Green - Hills of Basque country White - Whites houses Red- Bizkaia or Euskadi Green - Independence White - God

All Roads Lead to Battle Mountain On sale now!

! "#$!%&'(!&)!*+%%,$!-&.(%+/(!0$1+(!+2!+!3+/,3&+4!2%+%/&(!/(!5678! +(4!9./:;,<!4$=$,&>$4!/(%&!+!#&2>/%+0,$!2%&>!)&3!%3+(2:&(%/($(%+,!

3+/,3&+4!+(4!#/1#'+<!%3+=$,$32!+(4!+(!/?>&3%+(%!2.>>,<!#.0!)&3! ?/(/(1!:+?>2!+(4!3+(:#$2!/(!(&3%#@:$(%3+,!A$=+4+B!"#/2!0&&;! :#3&(/:,$2!%#$!)/32%!&($!#.(43$4!<$+32!&)!%#+%!4$=$,&>?$(%C! 3$?$?0$3/(1!%#$!?+(<!>$&>,$!'#&!2#+>$4!%#/2!$(4.3/(1!:&??.(/%<B! D($!&)!A$=+4+E2!?&2%!3$2/,/$(%!%&'(2C!*+%%,$!-&.(%+/(!/2!'&=$(!

Located on Broyles Ranch %/1#%,<!/(!+!>3&?/($(%!>,+:$!/(!%#$!2%+%$E2!#/2%&3/:+,!%+>$2%3<B! !

!

! !

just off I-80 exit 231

Come and get a copy of “All Roads Lead to Battle Mountain”.

Tuesday-Thursday 10 - 4, Fri.-Sat. 12 - 4

! ! !

Official

!

Project

Legacy

FGH!

! ! !

! ! ! !

Call or check out our website (775) 635-8548 | www.cookhousemuseum.org

! !

Road,

I.%#&3J!K+(+!*$(($%%! *&&;!4$2/1(J!A+(:<!L$>>/(!! ! !

FGHBHH!>,.2!FMBHH!)&3!2#/>>/(1!+(4!#+(4,/(1! !"#$%&'()*#+,'-./+)&.0"1'2)0.%+,' 3454'6)7'889' 6"++1%':)*#+".#;'<='>?>@A'

INSIDE NORTHERN NEVADA | JUNE 2021 7

VISIT Your Favorite Tribal Dispensaries in THE WEST!

Only Drive Thru in White Pine County!

Open 7 days a week 8am-9pm 963 S. Pioche Hwy Ely, NV 89301 (775) 289-6183 TsaaNesunkwa.com

Open 7 Days A Week 8am - 8pm 115 Etha Drive Lovelock, NV 89419 (775) 273-0420 Nabodoka.com

Open 7 Days A Week 8am-8pm 605 W. Bridge Street Yerington, NV 89447 (775) 463-2220 PeshaNumma.com

Only Drive Thru in Winnemucca!

Open 7 days A Week 8am-9pm 1985 Hanson Street Winnemucca, NV 89445 (775) 273-8525 WaterCanyon.com

8 Keep INSIDE NORTHERN JUNE 2021 out of reach of children | For adultNEVADA use only 21 years| of age

Order on Leafly.com Today

INSIDE NORTHERN NEVADA | JUNE 2021 9

The good, the bad,

By Patty Ellifritz and Natalie Betschart

As citizens of Northern Nevada, Basque heritage and Basque culture are all around us. We know the food, the dances, and the festivals, but do we really know the history behind them? This will be an article with a quick synopsis of what it really means to celebrate the Basques and what it takes to join a club.

Some History The Basques defined themselves as Euskaldunak-

Celebrating Our

Basque Heritage for 3 Generations!

639 S. Bridge St. Winnemucca, NV 89445

(775) 623-2478

10 INSIDE NORTHERN NEVADA | JUNE 2021

2021 Events May 8th: Nevada Fiddlers Contest 8am-4:30pm June 19th: Missoula Children Theatre 5:30pm July 4th: Old Fashioned 4th of July Parade & Games Aug. 4th - 8th: Eureka County Fair Nov. 12th - 13th: Holiday Bazaar 9am-5pm

Eureka Opera House opera@eurekacountynv.gov 31 South Main • P.O. Box 284 Eureka, Nevada 89316

(775) 237-6006

and the basque -literally those who speak Basque--and their homeland was Euskal Herria--land of the Basques or Basque speakers. As it turned out, their homeland was situated at a busy thoroughfare on the Iberian peninsula. The Romans “visited,” followed by numerous other peoples and armies, including the Goths, Franks, and Moors.

Their homeland was finally claimed by the emerging nation-states of Spain and France. At the negotiations in Madrid in 1651, it was proclaimed that “the Pyrennes Mountains, which divided the Spanish from the Gauls [French] since antiquity, constitute the division of these two kingdoms.” It is not known what the delegates considered to be antiquity because the Basques of course were there before they were.

ple are the Basques. Basque cuisine enjoys a renowned reputation, both in Europe and many others corners throughout the world. It is good food and fun to eat. Perhaps you have had occasion to sample Basque cuisine, most likely in a Basque-American restaurant of which there are literally dozens throughout the United States .

One of the things the Basques are most proud of is their food. The flavors are exquisite, but more fascinating is how it is served, especially in the restaurants. Family-style Basque restaurants are common in Northern Nevada. What could be better than enjoying great food surrounded by people you may or may not know.

The “family-style” dining derived from the boarding houses that Basque Cuisine housed many sheepherders back in the day, now this tradiThe phrase “you are what you eat” takes on new tion allows for people to come relevance when we explore and enjoy Basque food together a people’s gastronomic hab- and get to know each other a its as a way to better under- little better. These restaurants stand them and their culture. serve multiple courses, typically This is also one of the most soup and salad, beans and enjoyable ways of becoming the side of the day, an entree of your choice, and the grand acquainted with a people, especially when these peo- finale is dessert. At Basque

festivals, one of the primary staples is the Basque chorizo.

Lamb stew is also a staple of the Basques. Actually, lamb of any kind is acceptable. Most Basque people immigrated to the United States and became sheepherders.

There is a difference, however, between the charac-

INSIDE NORTHERN NEVADA | JUNE 2021 11

teristic Basque cuisine of Euskal Herria and what we are accustomed to here as being Basque food. Meat represented a regular staple of the traditional American diet, yet the same did not apply in the Basque Country.

European Basque cattlemen and sheepmen had more difficulty acquiring ample pasture for their livestock in the narrow mountain valleys and plains. The result was higher prices but also leaner, tastier meats that while short on quantity delivered high quality. Pork livestock equally plays an important and often surprising part in traditional Basque cuisine.

While the earth provided limited resources, the sea offered more abundance.

Seafood is what accentuates traditional European Basque cuisine. It is these recipes that have garnered international fame. The varied assortment of North Atlantic

fish is simply broiled or prepared in one of the many notable sauces that typify traditional Basque cuisine.

Then to road out the meal, there is always an ample supply of bread, some good wine and cheese for dessert.

Thus the American context added new elements, but traditional staples remain. Many restaurants and Basque clubs continue to serve Basque delicacies for the daring diner that include “tripota / morcilla” or blood sausages, “txerri patak” or pigs-feet, and of course “Rocky Mountain Oysters.” Hungry yet?

Basque Dance With this overview, we wish to show that no dances are more important than others. Some are better known than others. Some are more complex, while others are simpler. Some are ritual and others entertaining. Some

12 INSIDE NORTHERN NEVADA | JUNE 2021

sacred and others profane. Some are open group dances and others closed.

Generally the space in which they are carried out is open, although a few were originally danced in closed quarters. The vast majority are danced only by men, some only by women and others by both sexes.

The basic characteristics of Basque dance can be seen between choreography, historical and festive elements, and the universal traits of tradition, entertainment, tourism and especially religious-festive events.

We can distinguish different forms of representation, but undoubtedly they all belong to the human and social manifestations inherent in each community, as well as idiosyncrasies and popular sentiment and the personalization of local and family rituals.

Basque Clubs There are several Basque clubs in the surrounding area, but we only have criteria for, Euskaldunak Danak Bat, the Winnemucca Basque Club. We have annual dues and normally provide an “Annual” Basque Festival. We look forward to having one next June!

Further Information Additionally, there is an exhibit at the Humboldt Museum that the Basque Club put together that is very descriptive of our heritage.

It is certainly worth the visit to our local museum! It is outstanding in every way.

We would like to also provide you with a website that has all of the Basque Clubs in the United States.

Maybe there is one near you that you could meet more Basque people. The website address is nabasque.eus.

SHOP

! a d a v e N

LOCAL “Where Originality Is Our Gift”

In Stock & Custom Apparel, Hats, Tumblers & Accessories,Embroidery Service, and Business printing

Fresh Flowers ~ Gifts ~ Gourmet Foods (775) 623-3456 • SecondStreetSeasonals.com

1475 Cornell Ave. #100 Lovelock, NV

Nature’s Corner

Diet Aids Vitamins Homeopathy Teas Aromatherapy Oils Ice Cream Minerals Smoothies Books Herbs Sports Nutrition

Dedicated to Your Health 775.625.4330 and Well-Being 330 W Winnemucca Blvd

300 W. Second Street, Winnemucca, NV 89445

Kitchen Gadgets, Gourmet Snacks & Fun Gifts!

WEEZIES

My Sisters Closet

Kitchen Gadgets

211 South Street Winnemucca, NV 89445 South Bridges Bridge Street, Winnemucca, NV 89445

775-625-4853 775-625-4853

WE Vintage Clothing, Accessories 211

Wi Junk & Thift Store

(775)625-3804 |324 S Bridge St, Winnemucca Margaret Aranguena

Check Us Out On Facebook

Born to Shop “An Oasis of Style”

The Mad Hatter offers...

Sewing Notions, Fabric, Sewing Machine Repairs, Sewing and Alterations, Screen Printing & Embroidery.

Hours:

Tues.-Fri. 10am - 5pm Sat. 10am - 4pm Sun. & Mon. Closed

Hours: Closed Sun.-Mon. Tues.-Sat. 10am-5pm 311 S. Bridge Street 775-625-0359

Humboldt Volunteer Hospice

Born to

Shop

The Frugal Flamingo 681 W. 6th Street • Winnemucca Tuesdays-Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Largest Thrift Store in Winnemucca!

All proceeds fund local hospice program.

Support for Pain, Digestion Sleep, Stress, Immune System

Gift & Wellness Shop 341 S. Bridge St., Winnemucca, NV Open Monday thru Saturday (775)-625-1278

Locally Made Dog Treats Find us on Facebook @Essential Oils of Winnemucca

16 E. 2nd St. Winnemucca • 775-623-3333 Thursday - Saturday 10am-4pm

KENETREK BOOTS • FINE JEWELRY • OAKLEY & MAUI JIM SUNGLASSES CHECK OUR FACEBOOK FOR UPCOMING SPECIALS AND CONCEALED WEAPON PERMIT CLASSES. 342 S Bridge St. • Winnemucca, NV 89445

INSIDE NORTHERN NEVADA | JUNE 2021 13

7

local traditions Local chef brings Basque culture, flavor to the table

By Jen Anderson Pintxos. Txakoli.

Pipperada. Kalimoxto.

Vizcaina. The Basque culture is rich with foods and drinks that — like many other cultures — serve as a way to bring people together. Vicki Gabiola grew up cooking alongside her parents and grandmother and is carrying on the culinary legacy in her own family. Vicki’s Basque roots run deep, all the way to Vizcaya, a Basque province in northern Spain. All of her grandparents immigrated to the United States in the early 1900s, settling in the Paradise Valley area among other family members.

Several relocations due to schooling meant moves to Idaho and Winnemucca for Vicki’s mother, Julie Echevarria, and she eventually ended up in Winnemucca where she met and married Vicki’s father, Louis Bertz. Although Vicki was born in Winnemucca, weekends would see the entire extended family gathered around Grandma Aurora’s table in Paradise Valley, where all the relatives would feast on pintxos (tapas), Vizcaina (beef tongue) and garbanzo bean soup.

“I have always liked to cook,” Vicki said. “I was always around it growing up.

I guess it’s genetic. It didn’t matter when you went to Grandma’s, she always had that garbanzo soup.”

Whether it was a form of matronly sorcery or just a

COURTESY PHOTO

Vicki Gabiola in her element in a cooking class at Sur La Table. child’s embellished memory, Vicki said the garbanzo bean soup pot was bottomless no matter how many dozens of people dipped into it.

“It just seemed like an endless river of garbanzos came out of that pot,” she said. “I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.” When the time eventually came for Vicki to lay claim on the magic soup pot, she found it was just a typical, 2-quart stock pot. Chuckling in disbelief, Vicki said the endless soup and endless room around the tiny table in the tiny kitchen is hard to fathom now, but at the time it was just a regular evening at Grandma’s.

As Vicki’s own family with husband Terry grew, she carried on the culinary legacy, even if informal. For 25 years she was a hair stylist at a salon. For 20 of those years she owned House of Style. All the while

14 INSIDE NORTHERN NEVADA | JUNE 2021

she continued cooking for friends and family and dreamed of someday taking her love of food public.

It wasn’t until her own kids — Dominic and Danika — started school that her chef’s hat became part of an official uniform. Vicki was hired by the school district to run the food service program out of Grass Valley Elementary School, which she did for 10 years.

Although she had zero institutional cooking experience when she applied, she said her love of cooking and love of the “clients” (kids) is what got her the job.

“I told them the kids are our customers and it’s important to please them, to have good, nourishing food but also to appeal to them.

Don’t just throw slop on a plate because they’re kids,” she said.

Some time later Vicki forayed into the restaurant

industry when she opened Partners in Wine alongside her sister.

“I remember watching people from the kitchen,” she said. “People would be out there laughing and having a good time and loving my food. That’s why I do this; it makes my heart happy,” she said.

As everyone knows, “life” happens — especially with a young family — and different circumstances led to the shuttering of Partners in Wine. Vicki’s love of cooking, however, remained strong.

About two years ago, a friend approached Vicki and asked if she wanted to be part of new endeavor: a food truck.

“I didn’t want to have any financial stake in it because I’d been there, done that,” she said. But she did agree to be the chef. Not long after, her kids — who are also in the restaurant industry — bought the truck outright and Vicki bought in as a partner. Fork in the Road has proven to be a popular eatery in Winnemucca and frequently has a changing menu and specials.

Through a partnership with local bar Bella Grazia, Vicki (through Fork in the Road) has provided special dinners hosted by Bella and frequently participates in local and regional events.

Over the past 10 months, the partnership has hosted a Basque dinner, Sicilian dinner, Italian night and others. The multi-course menu gives patrons a chance to try foods they may not find

Amuma’s (grandma’s) Garbanzos

By Vicki Gabiola

** Note: Vicki cooks with her soul, not recipes, so all measurements are approximate**

COURTESY PHOTO

Amuma’s (grandma’s) garbanzo soup. Vicki fondly remembers it, “It didn’t matter when you went to Grandma’s, she always had that garbanzo soup.” elsewhere in Winnemucca, such as roasted txuleta and Txakoli-poached peaches with crema.

When she is not mobile for events, Vicki’s food truck can be found parked on Bella’s outdoor patio, which provides convenient seating for guests. And although the summer months are booking up quickly, Vicki said she plans on having Fork in the Road open for the public Tuesdays and Wednesdays for lunch, and Thursday and Friday evenings for dinner.

Those interested in finding out Fork in the Road’s location, menu, and times can do so by checking the Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/forkinthemucc.

Although Vicki doesn’t speak the entire Basque language (“just the cuss words”) the culture is deeply ingrained in her flavor and methods. Like many Bascos,

Vicki seldom uses written recipes and tends to “just throw a bunch of sh*t into a pot!” It makes her daughter amused/frustrated and also frustrates her desire to someday write a cookbook: how does one measure “a few glugs of wine until it sounds right”? Still, Vicki said she is carrying on the tradition of stuffing as many family members and friends into the kitchen as possible, and oftentimes has a grandchild or two on stools next to her.

“That sense of fellowship you have over a meal, it always makes me happy,” she said. “I love having my kids and family and friends gathered around the table … making them happy and talking about their day.

When people like your food and their bellies are full and they’re happy, you feel like you’re taking care of people.

It’s how I like to take care of people.”

Start by preparing your garbanzos. If you’re using dry beans, you’ll need to soak them and then cook until tender (a pressure cooker works great because they can be tough to get soft). I used canned garbanzos a lot! I usually do at least 8 cups or so of prepared beans.

• 1-2 onions, diced • 3-4 stalks celery, diced • couple of carrots, peeled and sliced or cut into small chunks • 2-3 cloves of garlic, finely minced or crushed • 4 Tbs oil (I use olive oil) • 1-2 pounds sliced chorizo • Heat oil in large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed stock pot • Add chorizo and cook until nice and brown. Add veggies except the garlic, and sauté until soft and they just start to brown. Be sure to scrape up all the brown bits!

• Add garlic and continue to cook until garlic is tender, but be careful not to burn it.

Add: • 2-3 Tbs. chopped parsley (dry is fine) • 1 large can of Las Palmas Red Chile Sauce (sometimes I add an 8 oz can or 2 of tomato sauce • add your prepared garbanzos, including some of the cooking liquid (or juice from cans) ** note: if you used dry beans and would like this dish more brothy, feel free to add a can or two of chicken broth or water. Liquid from the cans helps to thin it out as well, so extra broth is usually not necessary. Cook with your soul!

• salt and pepper to taste I like to add peeled, raw potatoes cut into chunks but that’s up to you.

• Cook until everything is tender and sauce is reduced Enjoy!

INSIDE NORTHERN NEVADA | JUNE 2021 15