Chioggia Radicchio

I know, this is kind of mean. Many of you have expressed your frustrations about the shabbiness or nonexistentness of your own local farmers markets. But I can’t help but brag about all the great spring veggie action we have going on here in San Francisco. Try to think of it as inspiration for what you have to look forward to….

Sorrel

What I am most excited about today is that my bounty is markedly different from what I have been buying all winter. And it is all the more wonderful because it is easily 75 degrees and gorgeous today. (Don’t be too jealous of this, because one of the worst things about living in San Francisco is summertime fog–truly sunny days are rare).

At the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market a few different vendors were selling sorrel today, so I bought some from Capay organics. Sorrel is interesting because its flavor puts it somewhere between a vegetable and an herb. When it is older it becomes more acidic and has an almost lemon-like flavor. Younger it is more mild and tastes closer to spinach. I am thinking about tossing mine up with some grilled fennel and lemon scented oil. I had a similar dish (minus the sorrel) recently at Pizzeria Delfina, and it was incredible.

Flowering Arugula

Last weekend on the KCRW podcast, Good Food, there was a wonderful segment about arugula flowers at the Santa Monica Farmers Market, so I had to buy those this week too.

Other 2009 first purchases today were the small Mediterranean style cucumbers and Belgian endive from Madison Growers. (Maybe I will may actually make a salad this weekend?) The kumquats were also finally sweet enough to buy.

Mediterranean Cucumbers

Last but not least, Zuckerman’s is again offering their famous asparagus ravioli and I bought some. They recommended I prepare it with just olive oil and some grated Parmesan cheese, but I think I have had enough of taking serving suggestions from farmers for a couple weeks. I have a few of my own tricks I am excited to try on this springtime treat (hint: another excuse to use the lemon oil I bought today). I will certainly keep you posted.

Today’s Purchases:

Belgian Endives

• Sorrel (Capay Organics)
• Belgian endive (Madison Growers)
• Mediterranean cucumbers (Madison Growers)
• Arugula flowers (Marin Root Farm)
• Assorted kales (Marin Root Farm)
• Fennel (Chue’s Farm)
• Baby leeks (Dirty Girl Produce)
• Cioggia radicchio (Dirty Girl Produce)
• Carrots (Star Route Farms)
• Asparagus ravioli (Zuckerman’s Farm)
• Kiwi (Four Sisters Farms)
• Heirloom navel oranges (Bernard Ranches)
• Kumquats (Bernard Ranches)
• Rio red grapefruit (Hamada Farms)
• tofu (Hodo Soy)
• Lisbon lemon olive oil (Stonehouse Olive Oil)
• House blend olive oil (Stonehouse Olive Oil)

What are you most jealous of?