Farmers Market Update: Late Spring
I do not want to call it summer just yet, but we’re certainly getting close. I was finally able to return to my beloved Ferry Plaza Farmers Market this weekend in San Francisco. What a delight!
Last time I visited cherries were just starting to get good and a few apricots and tomatoes were peeking out. Now stone fruits have completely taken over the market, tomatoes are abundant and summer squash have exploded in a way I don’t remember from years past. Truly breathtaking.
Strawberries are particularly sweet right now, while blueberries are the perfect combination of sweet, tart and crunchy. I saw raspberries for the first time today, but did not get a chance to taste them.
Another remarkable sight was the fresh herbs. Scents of basil, thyme, mint, oregano and lavender infuse the air with the unmistakable fragrance of the coming summer. I couldn’t help but buy all I could carry.
Some notable early spring items have also disappeared. There are no longer aspargus or *sniff* ramps. Citrus is also on it’s last legs.
Finally, today was the first time I have been to the market since plastic bags were banned. I bought a roll of the biodegradable kind from the CUESA information booth. Some vendors gave them out for free, but most did not. All around the experience is a little bit annoying (I accidentally spilled a bag of cherries on the ground because of the chaos in my shopping bag), but mostly manageable. I do wish there were a better solution, but I’m sure I will get used to the inconvenience eventually.
Today’s Purchases:
- Bing cherries (Bella Viva Orchards)
- Summer squash (Lucero Organic Farms)
- Strawberries (Dirty Girl Produce)
- English shelling peas (Iacopi Farms)
- Garlic scapes (Marin Roots Farms)
- Tokyo salad turnips (Marin Roots Farms)
- French thyme (Marin Roots Farms)
- Lettuces (Star Route Farms)
- Mediterranean cucumbers (Happy Quail Farms)
- Padrones (Happy Quail Farms)
- Fresh eggs (Happy Quail Farms)
- Basil (Chue’s Farm)
- Italian parsley (Chue’s Farm)
- Morel mushrooms (Far West Fungi)
- Heirloom tomatoes (Bruins Farms)
What did you find at the market today?
Wow, those squash look amazing- part of it looks just like a watermelon!
The squash blew me away. They were GORGEOUS!!
I think we are about 2-3 weeks behind you in Maryland. I am still anxiously waiting for everything you are describing this week. But I still did have asparagus and rhubarb to console myself with.
That’s really interesting. Definitely continue to monitor it, I’m very curious how the weather/crops play out in different states.
If you are looking for a great alternative to plastic produce bags, I love these bags I got on etsy. They are very handy at the grocery store and the farmer’s market.
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5504806§ion_id=5268556
Wow, thanks Veronic. Those seem fantastic!