Farmers Market Watch: June 16th

Buongiorno. Summer is almost here - as if you couldn't tell from variety on the stands. Many of you asked about the duck eggs I used to make pasta at our last event, so here they are: you can get them at the Alemany farmers market from the egg vendor (by the middle doors). These are $10 for 20 eggs - let me know what you make with them.

Now that locally produced food is hitting the mainstream with the Obamas' garden at the White House, inevitably there are agribusiness naysayers who claim that eating local, seasonal and organic food is much more expensive than commercially produced supermarket produce. Say what?! I'm going to start posting prices of the things I buy at the farmers market, so you can be the judge.

Let me know what you think by posting comments at the bottom of this post.

Here's what else I liked this week at the San Francisco Alemany farmers market:

Italian Red Torpedo organic onions. Back in Italy we use these fresh in salads for their very mild, sweet flavor. They're also great for pickling or in spring soups. $1.50/bunch.

On the Tomatero Farm stand I also found organic Stockton yellow onions. These have a pungent, strong aroma tempered by a sweet tang, ideal for stews and braised dishes with savory meats. Try these braised onions with rosemary, a worthy side dish for beef Bourguignon. $1.50/bunch.

Very mild Montana giant garlic. These are about 4 feet tall and have a delicate lavender flower at the top (no garlic smell). Excellent for decorating the table or as a conversation starter as you log one around the market.

Thai chillies come in two flavours: punishing or mild. $1/lb.
Mild peppers recipes from Allrecipes and Epicurious.
Thai chilli recipes from Allrecipes of Epicurious.

Mild Thai chillies.

I found some tangy, juicy and savory Delta-grown blueberries that are worth their price: $6 for a large (2 pints), $3.50 for a pint or 3 pints for $10. I'm making pancakes and cornbread with them.

The full range of organic berries have arrived at the market: tayberries, raspberries, blackberries, and boysenberries. I made jams in all shades of red last weekend, including Eclair strawberries, tayberries and raspberries. Next week I'm moving on to ollalieberries and blackberries - can't wait to taste those next winter. The organic ones cost me $20 a flat (12 baskets).

Now's the time to make Italian nocino (an herbal tasting, walnut-infused spirit) with these fresh unpeeled walnuts. Here's the recipe.

Organic Bing cherries for $2.50/lb. These were ready to be eaten: I bought them Saturday and finished them by Sunday evening.

Organic apricots, plums and pluots from Ferrari farms.The apricots are ready, but the plums and pluots are still a little too tart. Try this apricot leather: it's perfect for hiking. $1.50/lb.

Sour grapes for pickling - if you have a recipe, let me know. $3/lb.

Enjoy!
Marco Flavio

Comments

[Joan Nova]

Fabulous offerings...what does one do with sour grapes?

[Barb Florin]

Polenta Crisp Topping

This is definitely fruit crisp season. Got this recipe from David Lebovitz's website (former Chez Panisse pastry chef). He made it & says it's now his go-to fruit crisp topping. I tried it out -- it's very good, very easy. You can make a batch of it & keep it in the 'fridge.
http://www.davidlebovitz.com/archives/2007/05/the_department.html

[kelly]

This is sorta related and thanks for a heads up on that garlic I was wondering what it was when we at the farmers market that day.

Any idea on whether or not the farmers' market is on tomorrow July 4th?

[Marco Flavio]

Hello Kelly,
the farmers market on the 4th are smaller (some vendors don't drive up) but still running. 60% of the vendors at Alemany do make it to the city on the 4th.
Ciao,
Marco Flavio