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Farmers Market Update: SF Snow Day

by | Feb 27, 2011
Arugula Blossoms

Arugula Blossoms

Somewhere I heard a rumor that SF was supposed to have its first snow in 35 years this weekend. This struck me as odd for a few reasons. First, I’ve lived here 14 years and it has snowed at least twice. Second, though it is very cold, it’s amazingly beautiful outside.

Spring Leeks

Spring Leeks

Not surprisingly, instead of snow today it was one of the most beautiful farmers market days of the year. +1 global warming.

Spring Radishes

Spring Radishes

In fact, the sun was so bright I could barely capture any decent photos. The long shadows and high contrasts that come with sunshine are usually buffered by the sky in foggy SF. Not today!

Arugula

Arugula

But the good news is that spring is everywhere. I think what I’m most excited about is all the delicate salad greens. As much as I enjoy the kale and cabbage we’ve had the past couple months, it hurts my soul to go too long without fresh spinach, arugula and treviso.

Treviso

Treviso

If you aren’t familiar with treviso, it is a bitter green (sometimes purple) similar to radicchio. And today at Capay Organics it happened to look like a bunch of roses.

Artichokes

Artichokes

And speaking of vegetables that look like flowers, the artichokes are also looking fantastic. I didn’t get any this time, but will have my eyes out for them next week.

Kale and Chard

Kale and Chard

Of course I also stocked up on my obligatory kale and cabbages. They were just too beautiful to ignore, and I know this is the best time of year (especially for the cabbages).

Pretty Cabbages

Pretty Cabbages

The best part of all? Winter and spring vegetables are some of the most affordable of the year. Since a few people have asked about cost I’ve started keeping better track of the money I spend at the market. For the second time in a row, I came in under $20.

Today’s purchases:

Market quote of the day: “Yep, every house needs limes. Especially on weekends.”

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Farmers Market Update: Height of Spring

by | Apr 26, 2009
Fava Beans

Fava Beans

If you have been meaning to go to the farmers market but still haven’t gotten around to it, I strongly suggest you make it happen next week. Some of these Spring treats are only available a few weeks out of the year, and they are peaking right now.

This week I bought young fava beans from Iacopi Farm. Normally fava beans require a substantial amount of work to prepare, including shelling, blanching and removing the tough skin of each bean with a pairing knife. When young however, fava beans can be roasted and eaten whole. Last night I put mine in the oven with tomatoes, green olives, chili flakes and anchovies, then sprinkled on capers, parsley and lemon juice when I pulled them out. It was amazing.

Baby Artichokes

Baby Artichokes

Thumbalina Carrots

Thumbalina Carrots

Strawberries are also particularly special right now. At Dirty Girl Produce I found strawberries from both first year plants and second year plants, and I was astounded by the difference. Apparently as strawberry plants get older they produce smaller, sweeter, more concentrated fruit. These made for the most intesely flavored berries I found at the market. The young berries were also wonderful though, big sweet and more juicy than the second years. I bought both. Can you tell which is which?

Shell Peas

Shell Peas

1st & 2nd Year Strawberries

1st & 2nd Year Strawberries

The flowering kale rabe was gone this week, but asparagus is available in all sizes and colors. The variety of onions right now is remarkable.

Finally, since I have been interested in Moroccan cooking lately I have been reading a lot about an ingredient called preserved lemons. I bought one this week from Boulette’s Larder and used it to make the best hummus I have ever had in my life.

Preserved Lemons

Preserved Lemons

Yellow Onions

Yellow Onions

Purchases:

  • Baby artichokes (Iacopi Farm)
  • Young fava beans (Iacopi Farm)
  • 1st year strawberries (Dirty Girl Produce)
  • 2nd year strawberries (Dirty Girl Produce)
  • Tangelos (Hamada Farms)
  • Meyer lemons (Hamada Farms)
  • Rainbow chard (Capay Organics)
  • Sugar snap peas (Capay Organics)
  • Endive (Madison Growers)
  • Mediterranean cucumbers (Madison Growers)
  • Leek (Marin Root Farms)
  • Spring onion (Marin Root Farms)
  • Yellow onion (Marin Root Farms)
  • Carrots (Star Route Farm)
  • Tatsoi (Star Route Farm)
  • Arugula (Star Route Farm)
  • Asparagus (Zuckerman’s Farm)
  • Tangelo (Peredez Farms)
  • Italian parsley (Chue’s Farm)
  • Baby bok choy (Chue’s Farm)
  • Garlic (Chue’s Farm)
  • Firm tofu (Hodo Soy)
  • Preserved lemon (Boulette’s Larder)
  • Red pepper anchovies (Boulette’s Larder)

What did you find at the market this week?

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