Farmers Market Update: Springtime
I know that it is technically still February, but I’m going to officially declare it springtime here in San Francisco, at least for all of us foodies.
The spring greens are in full effect. Today I found spinach, lettuces, asparagus and even pea shoots.
Brassica greens like kale and cabbage were around for most of the winter, but now we are seeing the late season varieties such as these savoy cabbages.
Herbs and onions are getting more diverse as well, as more delicate herbs like cilantro and thyme are reappearing. Still no basil though.
The giant leeks you can find these days are epic.
The root vegetable season is also shifting to the tail end. I’m seeing fewer radishes and other spicy roots, but sweet beets and carrots are thriving.
In fruit, citrus is still where it’s at. Tropical fruits like kiwi, mango and guava are also available. But it’s hard to beat these $1 navel oranges from Hamada Farms.
You should still avoid the deceptively juicy looking tomatoes, however. Trust me, they aren’t good. The vendor said it will be about 3 weeks before the heirlooms show up.
Until then you’ll have to amuse yourself with all the rest of the amazing spring produce. These flank steaks look pretty awesome too.
Today’s purchases:
- Broccolini (Iacopi Farm)
- Cauliflower (Iacopi Farm)
- Ruby chard (Dirty Girl Produce)
- Leeks (Dirty Girl Produce)
- Asparagus (Zuckerman’s Farm)
- Navel oranges (Hamada Farms)
- Sweet baguette (Downtown Bakery)
- Eggs (Marin Sun Farms)
- Yirg (Blue Bottle Coffee)
Is your season turning?
LOL @ Deceptive Tomatoes. 🙂 We’re starting to see grass again in Maryland – snow is melting finally!
how is it possible you get tropical local citrus fruit in winter?
California is amazing, what can I say? They are most definitely local.
It’s a little bizarre to me that you’re reaching the end of radish season out there. Here in Montana (and where I grew up in North Dakota), radishes are one of the signs of spring’s arrival! They, along with leaf lettuce, were always the first things we could pick from my mom’s and grandma’s gardens.
You’re right. I was referring to the big gnarly black radishes and watermelon radishes. The delicate little French breakfast radishes haven’t appeared yet 🙂
I wish we had spring. The only hope I have right now is my daffodils starting to poke through and the mint is starting to come up.
That’s how it started here! Just a few more weeks!!
Marin Sun Farms (the flank steaks) is the bomb. Some of the best grassfed meats I’ve ever had.
Very worthwhile, too, to take a trip up to Pt Reyes Station just a bit beyond Stinson beach and you can visit their butcher shop. They also have pastured eggs, pork, lamb there.
Agreed about the flank steaks, and I’m absolutely obsessed with their eggs. Obsessed.
Actually, I just wrote flank steaks for those who may have known what I was talking about, since I had to zoom in to see that the label was Marin Sun.
I think all their meats are fantastic. A few months ago family & I were camped at Olema, just a mile away from the shop. We got a bunch of ribeyes and cooked them over an open wood flame. Amazing.