Buongiorno - I'm back in action, now that my trip to Italy and 40th birthday are behind me (whew!) New treats are overflowing the various SF farmers markets, including my absolute favorite strawberry: the Eclair. You hardly ever find them on the stands, since they're smaller than the ubiquitous Albion and not as visually appealing. But just try one - its sweetness and succulence will convert you. I've only found them at the Ferry Building and Civic Center farmers markets. I buy a case at a time and eat a couple baskets a day ... until the brief season's over.
What I liked this week at the San Francisco farmers markets:
Tomatero Farms' organic Chantenay carrots: perhaps the sweetest and most carrot-tasting of them all. Try these raw in a salad or a (40th birthday) carrot cake, since their natural sweetness is ideal for dessert. Even kids will love these.
Asparagus season is in full swing. Try this asparagus risotto for a one-pot spring dinner.
You can smell the fresh lavender down the block at Alemany. Chop some into butter or a chocolate dessert.
Fresh snap peas add spring flavor to pastas and stir fries. You don't have to shell them: cook them in their tender, crispy pods.
If you get the urge for English peas that require shelling, you may be lucky enough to find someone at the market who does the work for you. This nice lady sold me shelled peas for $4/lb, and it saved me a lot of work.
The first pale green summer squash are here. I can't wait to stuff these with minced meat, onions and mint and bake them.
Lemonade alert: real pink lemons have arrived! If you find them, buy them - they're very hard to come by, and so sweet.
You can tell May is here: the Ferrari stand has the first organic cherries of the season! At $3/lb. for these bursting, juicy delicacies, you can't go wrong.
Loquats: Italians call them 'nespole.' This sought-after summer treat has a shelf-life of about 3 days once they're out of cold storage. Since they bruise easily and have a large pit, they've never gained a lot of popularity in the States. But try them: they taste like the warm summer ahead.
Enjoy!
Marco Flavio
Hi Marco,
Happy Belated Birthday and Welcome to the 40s. They are superb.
We should have checked your blog before heading to the Ferry Bldg. today. Regardless, we picked up some lovely summer squash and some blue eggs! Two new foods for our 6.5 month old's diet.
At your suggestion, we went to Patisserie Phillipe. You were so right! Amazing pastries and delicious panini. One of the pastries had a razor thin slice of candied locquat, very delicate and perfect.
Posted by: Holly Iwanaga | May 16, 2009 at 08:52 PM