Farmers Market Update
I love watching the seasons change at the farmers market. Although it was lightly sprinkling today at the San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, spring was definitely in the air.
After a long winter of thick kale and collards, it is easy to forget how delicate greens can be. Now you can get almost all your favorite greens with the flowers or sprouts still attached. Until today, I didn’t even know you could buy arugula flowers to eat. If that isn’t elitist, I don’t know what is.
Apparently I also found the “only heirloom navel” oranges at Bernard Ranches today. I didn’t buy any, but it sure sounded cool.
I’m also excited to finally try the Black Calypso beans from Rancho Gordo. But I also decided that next time I buy beans it is going to be from Tierra Vegetables. They have slightly different varieties and they look absolutely beautiful.
Today’s purchases:
- Assorted wild kale (Marin Roots Farm)
- Assorted wild broccoli (Marin Roots Farm)
- Carrots (Star Route Farm)
- Aspargus (Zuckerman’s Farm)
- Fennel (Chue’s Farm)
- Green garlic (Chue’s Farm)
- Broccoli rabe (Chue’s Farm)
- Black Calypso beans (Rancho Gordo)
- Meyer lemons (Hamada Farms)
- Clementines (Hamada Farms)
- Kiwi (Four Sisters Farms)
- Midnight Moon (Cowgirl Creamery)
- Chevre (Cowgirl Creamery)
- Lots of chocolate (Scharffen Berger)
- Sour baguette and pain epi (Acme Bread)
What are your favorite spring greens?
I love going to the farmer’s market — not only for the fresh produce but also for the great atmosphere. Went with my hubby last weekend but here in Raleigh, the choice is still a bit limited. I did get some nice hothouse tomatoes and green onions. And of course, sweet potatoes are always in season here in the south. Strawberries will be ready next month — can’t wait.
No farmer’s markets here in the Sierra foothills yet but the local strawberry stands are in full operation.
Our Farmers Market is pitiful. The egg man is gone, as is the Asian produce. I can buy carrots, cabbage, onions, broccoli, beets and strawberrys that aren’t near as good as the ones grown nearby! They are adding more clothing and pet supplies 🙁
I love your trips to the Farmers Market (even if it does make me insanely jealous since it’s still so cold here!);)
Looking forward to dandelion greens, but afraid we’re still in freezing cold kale mode at the moment!
@Cheryl @LeeIt is a common complaint that farmers markets have slim pickins this time of year. Hang in there, we’re almost through!—–@MBThat is unfortunate. If you have time to go to the Irvine market, I definitely recommend it. Are there other produce stands in or around your neighborhood? My dad found a decent one on Tustin Ave.—–@ShannonI love them too! And I’m so glad to share it with my readers. Most people have no idea what they are missing out on.—–@MichelleKale isn’t so bad. I’ve been cooking it up all winter and am still not sick of it 😉
Great bean picture; you really do push for beans in our lives….. I just can’t bring myself to integrate them though.I also like the baby fennel pictures; it looks so tender and flavorful; what did the farmer recommend to do with it (why wouldn’t the farmer just wait for it to grow a little bigger, then sell it for more)?
It would be cool, if you could tell us the rate of the purchases too.