Rainbow Chard

My eyes were deceiving me on Saturday morning, because it seemed as though the 4th of July fireworks started early here in San Francisco. The farmers market was virtually exploding with colors–fruits, vegetables, flowers, mushrooms. It was magical.

The rainbow chard was so beautiful at Dirty Girl Produce people were exclaiming at how magnificent it looked as I carried it away. The flowers and kale at Green Gulch Farm were also something to behold.

Kale & Flowers

Rainbow Chard Stems

Summer squash is now in season and I’ve been enjoying it both raw (in salads) and cooked. It’s great grilled, or stir fried with peppers, beans, corn and greens. My favorite are the yellow and green zephyr squash, the ones I used in my squash pasta recipe last week. This probably sounds weird, but I swear they are as sweet as candy.

Summer Squash

Zephyr Squash

Fruit is still the main attraction at the market these days, however.

White Peaches

Peaches, apricots, nectarines and plums are absolutely perfect right now, but the cherries are already on their way out. Don’t get too sad though, the early fig crop is already starting to appear.

Figs

Yummy Rosa Pluots

There are a few seasonal novelties available now that are also worth mentioning. I spied nopales (aka cactus leaves) today, as well as bitter melon.

Bitter Melon

Nopales

Green garlic should be around for a few more weeks, and you can even still get baby broccoli, cauliflower and romanesco.

Romanesco

Green Garlic

And if you happen to stop by Far West Fungi, porcini are in season.

Porcini Mushrooms

Today’s purchases:

• Salad greens (Green Gulch Farm)
• Arugula (Green Gulch Farm)
• Purslane (Green Gulch Farm)
• Italian basil (Chue’s Farm)
• Squash blossoms (Chue’s Farm)
• Rainbow chard (Dirty Girl Produce)
• Lacinato kale (Dirty Girl Produce)
• Padron peppers (Happy Quail Farms)
• Sweet pepper (Happy Quail Farms)
• Mediterranean cucumbers (Happy Quail Farms)
• Zephyr squash (Lucero Organic Farm)
• Star squash (Lucero Organic Farm)
• World’s best cucumber (Lucero Organic Farm)
• Yellow nectarines (Hamada Farms)
• Eggs (Marin Sun Farms)
• Smoked maple ham (Prather Ranch Meat Co.)