Farmers' Market Report – Week of March 11th
Happy Monday, all!
Ugh, how about that darn daylight savings time? I am not thrilled to lose an hour of sleep, but at least we get more daylight – another sign that spring is coming, slowly but surely.
After talking to a lot of my farmers, up-and-coming new items for springtime menu’s are: Jerry’s Berries Strawberries (Jerry Rutiz’s version; he uses the “Galante” variety, which is a softer berry but extremely sweet – coming in early April), fresh Fava Beans from various farms – next week, lots more peas and beets and artichokes, purple baby broccoli coming this weekend from Weiser Farm (limited to start!), etc. etc.! More to come, I’m sure.
So, did you guys get our March Mushroom Madness specials? Dude. Check it out. Best prices of the year – and Kinoko Company is now officially producing all of this out of their San Marcos plant! No more Japan imports, except for the Enoki which requires a specialized technique. Brown and White Hon Shemeji, and Maitake $42.50 per case, King Trumpet $34.50 per case! Sorry, sorry, I know it’s not farmer’s market BUT it is local! Psst… first crop of Morel Mushrooms coming in this week, too. $33.50 per lb to start. You guys are the first to know. Feel special.
Note: All pre-orders must be placed by Tuesday at noon to [email protected]. Emergency orders or add-ons will be accepted, but we can longer guarantee availability. If there are any special requests, feel free to ask!
Laura
WHAT’S NEW:
2 Peas in a Pod – Oxnard, CA
Romanesco – a bright green, heirloom variety of cauliflower with a unique spiral pattern
Beylik Family Farms – Fillmore, CA
Persian Cucumbers
Japanese Tomatoes – a deep red tomato with a unique earthy tone
Yellow Tomatoes
Coastal Organics – Oxnard, CA
Black Kale – also known as tuscan kale, black cabbage, or cavalo nero!
Pink and Yellow bunch Turnips – beautiful colors all the way through!
Baby Broccoli
Coleman Family Farm – Carpinteria, CA
Broccoli Spigarello – great winter braising green!
Red Butter (Piret) Lettuce
Freckles Lettuce
Lollo Rossa Lettuce
Treviso – so young, you’ll barely recognize it. Deep green with a deep red blush
Radicchio – note: small heads! Perfect for plate garnishes.
Garcia Organic Farm – Fallbrook, CA
Cara Cara Oranges– a mix between a grapefruit and a navel orange gives it its signature salmon colored flesh!
Paige Tangerines – bet you can’t eat just one, so order up!
Meiwa Kumquats – a Japanese variety that has a sweeter pulp
Harry’s Berries – Oxnard, CA
Note: Their tomatoes are reaching the end of their season, but they are still amazingly sweet, so keep up the orders for now!
Strawberries
Yellow Cherry Tomatoes
Baby Red Roma Tomatoes
Jaime Farm – Ontario, CA
Mixed Baby Bunch Carrots – beautiful baby yellow, orange, and round carrots with tops
Rainbow Chard
French Breakfast Radish, Easter Egg Radish
Life’s A Choke – Lompoc, CA
Baby Anzio Artichokes – a cross between green and purple artichokes, and very meaty!
Baby Purple (Fiesole) Artichokes– not as meaty, but beautiful color and a nutty flavor
Lyon Artichoke with stem– large and in charge! This is a very jumbo, round, meaty variety from Southern France that has very little bitterness, if any, compared to other varieties
Pencil Asparagus– pre-order only
McGrath Family Farm – Camarillo, CA
Wild Arugula
Baby Bunch Candy Beets, Red Beets, Gold Beets, and White Beets
Red Frill Mustard Greens
Pea Tendrils
Rapini
Red Okami Spinach – a uniquiely shaped leaf with a deep red stem and veins – great for sauteing!*Note, now bringing in the bunched instead of loose – much better value! Samples, anyone??
Baby White Japanese Turnips
Firecracker Lettuce – deep red and a bit frilly!
English Peas – They’re Back!
Mike and Son Egg Ranch – Ontario, CA
Brown Eggs (15 doz case only)
Polito Family Farm – Valley Center, CA
Oro Blanco Grapefuit – golden-flesh, sweet and juicy – still going strong!
Rutiz Farm – Arroyo Grande, CA
Green Garlic
Sugar Snap Peas
English Peas
Purple Scallions
Weiser Family Farm – Bakersfield, CA
Red Thumb Potatoes – red skinned on the outside, and pretty in pink on the inside
Russian Banana Fingerlings – baker size, but oh so creamy..
French Heirloom Fingerlings – red-skinned and white-fleshed, has a very silky texture (baker size)
Mix Baby Carrots – all heirloom varieties!
MICRO Mix Carrots– whoo hoo! They’re back! A little bit more expensive but I know some of you really love the super small size – same heirloom mix as the baby
Teen Parships
Yasutomi Farm – Pico Rivera, CA
Baby Bok Choy – amazingly tender, and small enough to braise whole
Baby Celery – this celery’s life was cut short just for you