Sunterra Market October 2022 Newsletter

Sunterra Market

Pumpkins & Squash

Fall into flavour with our selection of squash and pumpkins! Whether you’re mashing, roasting or carving, we have plenty of gourd-geous options to choose from. Be sure to check out our roasted pumpkin and squash soup recipe on the back cover, too!

FRESH

FEATURE STORY

Winter’s is Coming

Meet the Family Behind our Alberta-Raised Turkeys

BY AMANDA PHILIPOW

For many families in Calgary and surrounding towns in Alberta, picking up a fresh Winter’s turkey has been a longstanding Thanksgiving tradition. And with an unwavering reputation for quality, it’s no surprise that many of Winter’s current customers come by referral from generations of family members before them. This deep-rooted commitment to family and passion for providing only the best products make Winter’s turkeys the perfect match for Sunterra customers who share these same values — especially around the holiday season. We had the privilege of sitting down with Winter’s third generation owners, Laurel and Lyle Weigum, to explore the rich history of these terrific turkeys.

We pull up to the Winter’s property just 30 minutes outside of Calgary and are immediately greeted by a friendly dog (whom we later learn is named Pearl); things are off to a great start. If there’s one word to describe the initial feel of the farm, it’s peaceful. Laurel and her husband, Lyle, greet us at the entrance, and with shoe covers equipped, we start our walk through the lush farmland. We soon reach a long barn full of fluffy, bright white turkeys poking their heads up over the gate. Laurel gestures to the barn and tells us that these are the exact turkeys Sunterra customers will be receiving for Thanksgiving.

The Winter’s story begins back in the 50’s when Laurel’s grandfather and the company’s namesake, Jack Winter — lovingly referred to as “Grandpa Jack” — saw the potential for turkeys to thrive among his lineup of other livestock, grain and eggs. He began selling turkeys to friends, neighbours and small shops in the community, and soon people were regularly seeking them out for their Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts.

In 1976, Laurel’s parents, Darrel and Corinne, returned to the homestead and expanded the farming operations under the Winter’s name we know today.

“From there, word kind of spread,” explains Laurel. “My dad would take a truckload of turkeys into the city and friends from all over would come and grab a turkey from the truck.”

The family gradually took on more retail outlets and increased production accordingly, but never stopped fostering those community connections made through direct in-person sales around the holidays — even to this day. Laurel recalls growing up on the farm and watching bigger barns being built to meet the demand for a local, fresh turkey. After both pursuing careers in teaching, Laurel returned full-time to the farm in 2015 and Lyle followed a few years later.

“Being part of that very intimate family tradition is very fulfilling,” Laurel beams.

Winter’s raises two flocks of turkeys per year, one for each major holiday. The birds are raised on the family farm for four months, sent to Taber for processing and then returned in their signature Winter’s branded bag, ready for distribution. The whole process takes only a couple days, meaning customers receive an incredibly fresh product that outmatches any turkey you’ll find in your local grocery store’s freezer section.

But it isn’t the quick turnaround or the location alone that makes Winter’s turkeys so exceptional, it’s how they’re raised.

“The care and health of the bird is our primary goal,” Lyle says proudly. Winter’s Turkeys’ are free range, meaning they have constant access to large yards, forage and sunlight.

“They run and peck at bugs and grass, and that’s a grand time for them,” Lyle smiles. “I can see how happy they are and that we’re doing the best we can for our birds.”

Fresh air, extra exercise and fostering the turkeys’ natural growth cycle results in a high-quality product for consumers.

The turkeys are fed a diet of wheat which the family grows in a field just North of their primary farmland. Their whole grain diet along with free and unfettered access to the outdoors leads to healthy, happy birds that develop a beautiful coat of white feathers, as well as gain weight at a healthy rate. The birds are also regularly provided with clean bedding and unlimited access to fresh water.

Alberta’s cool fall nights and cold winter days encourage the turkeys to grow a layer of fat under their skin which renders during the cooking process to create juicy, tender meat. The rendered fat makes such a difference that Winter’s proudly describes their turkeys as “self-basting”, eliminating the need for added moisture when roasting. Lyle also offered us a cooking tip: take the turkey out of the oven before it reaches 165F internally and let it rest while tented. The meat will continue to cook in the residual heat, and you’ll get a fully cooked turkey without drying it out.

Our visit was coming to a close, but with a family history so focused on turkeys, we had to ask what a typical Thanksgiving for the Winter/Weigum household looks like.

“Mom will cook and dad will carve, but not without a lot of questions,” Laurel laughs.

“And jokes,” Lyle adds with a grin.

The two explain that though the holiday season is their busiest time of year, they always make time to spend those special days with their families, especially since they all live so close together. Being involved in the community they serve is also a huge part of their traditions.

“If someone has a question [about their turkey], we’d be happy if they want to call and talk to us,” says Lyle. “Our number is on the bag.”

Start your own family tradition — order your fresh Winter’s turkey in-market or online at sunterramarket.com.

TRENDSPOTTING

Hearty soups made by our market chefs, a delicious cheese aged in a cave and a dessert you can truly sink your fork into are some of our favourite things this month.

SUNTERRA FARMS STUFFED PORK LOIN

Simple enough for a weeknight meal but impressive enough for a dinner party, our stuffed pork loin is the perfect choice for any occasion. Select from multiple flavours including this spicy chorizo and sweet cornbread variety you see here.

DEEP DISH PUMPKIN PIE

SUNTERRA MARKET-MADE SOUP

Sunterra Market-Made soups are crafted in small batches using simple, high quality ingredients. Each reusable jar is ready for you to take home, open and serve. We offer a range of cream and broth-based soups, including fall favourites like beef barley and roasted squash and pumpkin.

KALTBACH CAVE-AGED GRUYÈRE

Each wheel of this cheese is aged for at least 12 months inside a winding sandstone cave in Kaltbach, Switzerland. The perfect temperature and humidity of this environment allow the Gruyére to form into its delectable smooth yet slightly crumbly consistency.

Oct. Stockboy Special $6.79/100g Reg. $7.99/100g

This signature fall dessert is piled high with pumpkin purée and seasonal spices that are sure to get you in a cozy mood. We highly recommend adding some of our scratchmade ginger whipped cream on top for an extra dollop of delicious.

DELI-ROASTED SOLETERRA D’ITALIA MODENA HAM

Roasted in our markets, this ham has a crunchy, caramelly crust that gives its otherwise full-bodied flavour a subtle sweetness. Add slices to a sandwich or charcuterie board!

Oct. Stockboy Special $2.59/100g Reg. $2.99/100g

STOCK UP ON BIG SAVINGS!

Each month we work with our favourite suppliers to get special pricing on products we think you’ll love. We pass those savings to you, so you can try seasonal, up-and-coming or simply our best items. Deals change monthly, so stock up on your favourites before they’re gone!

SHOP ALL STOCKBOY SPECIALS IN MARKET

Bonus Points

Double Points

Three courses. Chef

Our October feasts:

Roasted Squash

Thai Chicken and

Tomato and

Pay with Points

with Points for

Sunterra Market

Cookie (each)

(each)

(each)

Bun (each)

Tomato basil soup

Mac and cheese with garlic toast Chocolate mousse cup

Roasted squash and pumpkin soup

Beef cabbage rolls with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables Apple strudel

Thai vegetable noodle salad

Shoyu roasted chicken leg with fried rice and sautéed vegetables

Mango mousse cake

House green salad with raspberry poppy seed vinaigrette

Sunterra Farms applewood smoked pork ribs with barbeque sauce, mashed potatoes and creamy coleslaw

Pecan walnut pie

Roasted Pumpkin and Squash Soup

SERVES 8 TO 12

1 medium pumpkin

1 medium butternut squash

1 large carrot, peeled and diced

1 medium white onion, peeled and diced

2 celery stalks, diced

6 to 8 garlic cloves, skins removed

2 rosemary sprigs, needles removed from stem

½ cup olive oil

3L vegetable or chicken stock

1 cup heavy cream

Salt and pepper to taste

Nutmeg to taste

Preheat oven to 350F. Using a potato peeler or knife, remove skin from the pumpkin and squash and dice into uniform pieces. In a bowl combine all vegetables, garlic, rosemary and olive oil. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Spread vegetables on a baking tray and roast for 30 minutes. The vegetables should start to soften and there should be browning on the edges. Roast for an additional 15 minutes if necessary.

In a large pot, combine the roasted vegetables and stock. Place on high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

Purée the soup using an immersion blender or food processor. If using food processor, work in small batches to avoid spills.

Return to heat and bring back to simmer, add cream and adjust flavour with salt, pepper and nutmeg.

CALGARY

Bankers Hall

+15 level, 855 2 Street S.W. (403) 269-3610

Kensington Road 2536 Kensington Road N.W. (403) 685-1535

Britannia Plaza

803 49 Avenue S.W. (403) 287-0553

TC Energy +15 level, 450 1 Street S.W. (403) 262-8240

Calgary

Red Deer (403)

Keynote 200 12 Avenue S.E. (403) 261-6772

West Market Square 1851 Sirocco Drive S.W. (403) 266-3049

EDMONTON

Commerce Place 201, 10150 Jasper Avenue (780) 426-3791

Lendrum Shopping Centre 5728 111 Street (780) 434-2610

Bower Place 4900 Molly Banister Drive (587) 797-3923

GROCERY DELIVERY

Calgary (403) 287-0553

Edmonton (780) 434-2610

Red Deer (587) 797-3923

Edmonton (780) 426-3807