Holiday Bouquet

There’s so much holiday season in the air at the farmers market these days it’s hard to not get all gushy over it. There are trees, wreaths, hot cocoa, carolers, and even a steel drum band playing Christmas music.

So of course, I stocked up on ingredients to make Thai food. Because that’s how I roll.

But before we talk more about all the awesome food I bought this weekend, I want to announce the winner of the Erik Organic cutting board giveaway.

Congratulations Phil Nase @bugi1960! I’ll be in touch about how to pick your design and get it sent out. Happy Holidays!

Now back to Thai food. I know that doesn’t really make sense, but bear with me. We just finished Thanksgiving and Christmas is right around the corner. There will be lots of turkey, potatoes and other root vegetables and traditional American foods for the next few months, and the last of the fall produce is going away.

Potatoes and Squash

Turnips

But I noticed today at the market that I could get kaffir lime leaves (they were labeled “Indonesian lemon leaves”, but I spoke to the vendors and they said there’s no difference). Lime leaves are the essence of Thai soup. I then proceeded to find fresh ginger, lemongrass and Thai chilies. So I grabbed some Chinese eggplant, mint and cilantro and am calling it a party.

Mojito Mint

Lemon/Lime Leaf

It’s as good as Christmas for me.

The other thing I’m most excited about this weekend is the satsuma mandarins. These sweet little guys are the fruit highlight of the winter, in my opinion. They’re the perfect size, easy to eat and endlessly delicious. They also have a much more complex flavor than the box of Cuties you get at Safeway.

Hachiya Persimmons

Satsuma Mandarins

Also in fruit, the persimmon season is peaking, and while fuyus (the harder, flat shaped persimmons) were the best choice most of the season so far, the softer and long-shaped hachiya persimmons are finally sweet and ripe. At their best the texture is more like a gel than a fruit. It’s incredibly unique and delicious.

And it’s last call for pomegranates.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Ceremonial Tobacco

Beets

Today’s purchases:

• Tuscan kale (Iacopi Farm)
• Chinese eggplant (Chue’s Farm)
• Lemongrass (Chue’s Farm)
• Thai chilies (Chue’s Farm)
• Ginger (Chue’s Farm)
• “Indonesian lemon leaves” (Happy Quail Farms)
• Mojito mint (Knoll Farms)
• Cilantro (Star Route Farms)
• Satsuma mandarins (Paredez Farms)
• Fingerling potatoes (Thomas Farm)

For The Love of Food

If there’s one thing I’d love to give you all for the holidays its the love of fresh, delicious, seasonal food. To get you started I’ve partnered with Erik Organic furniture, who have volunteered to send a free organic wood cutting board to one Summer Tomato reader.

The cutting boards aren’t sold online, but I’ve seen them and they come in all sorts of cool designs and would be a beautiful addition to any kitchen.

Here’s an example:

Erik Organic cutting boards

To win all you need to do is retweet this post* with the hashtag #cuttingboard. The contest will end Saturday at midnight PST. The winner will be chosen at random and announced Sunday in my farmers market post. You can enter once per day.

Thanks for participating and happy holidays!

*Unfortunately at this time shipping is limited to US locations.