SANTA MONICA FARMER'S MARKET

January 11, 2012
This week was gorgeous at the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market which is always nice. Farmers have been experiencing some heavy frost in their micro climates so some were not here today including Shanely Farms finger limes. But a new farm came today with late harvest organic apples – wow! Cuyama Farms fruit is really delicious and gorgeous, I highly recommend trying it. Today they brought Crimson Gold apples which are tiny little sweet apples, fun for kids; Arkansas Black, Newton Pippin and Pink Lady. I can’t believe we have these apples this late and can’t wait to eat them. Polito Farms also brought their amazing Meyer Lemons today along with the first pick of Perfection Mandarins. Bob is the only farmer to grow Perfection Mandarins, their skin is tighter than Satsuma but their flavor profile is intensely sweet and complex I have to say these are my favorite mandarin of all and am so happy that he grows them. Coleman Farms stinging nettles smelled fabulous, herbaceous and super dark green ~ but prickly so be careful when prepping. The stingers disappear when cooked. My favorite nettle recipe is from Lidia Bastianich, she makes the most incredible flan with these.
Weiser Farms brought more Broccoli de Ciccio today and Alex said the crop looks good if the weather holds out. Alex grows this really well and the flavor is fantastic, get it while you can! The fresh dried beans will only be around until they sell out so try some today. Windrose Farm is bringing their smoked Chipotles and Smoked Sundried Tomatoes again which can’t be beat. These are done in super small batches and worth every cent. Winter at the Santa Monica Farmer’s Market is always delicious ~ bon appétit!
~ Chef Gwen

THIS WEEEK’S FRUIT:APPLES - Late harvest Fuji, Granny Smith, Arkasas Blac, Newton Pippin, Crimson Gold Red Delicious
BERRIES – blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries
Berries all year round here in sunny southern California!
CITRUS – Satsuma mandarins, lemons, limes
OTHER – Asian pears, dates, kiwi
THIS WEEK’S VEGETABLES:BEETS, BOK CHOY, BROCCOLI DI CICCIO, CARROTS, CAULIFLOWER, KALE, NETTELS, PARSNIPS, PEAS, HEIRLOOM POTATOES, RADISH, RUTABEGA, SPIGARELLO, BLOOMSDALE SPINACH, SUNCHOKES, TURNIPS, WINTER SQUASH Australian Blue
THIS WEEK’S FRESH DRIED BEANS:MAUVE RUNNER BEANS similar to Christmas Limas, great in Cassoulet!
COCOA BLACK a little bigger than the black bean that you are used to
PAINTED PONY these remind me of the delicious rice beans we made at Jean Louis with fresh shrimp and garlic confit – as good as it sounds!
MONEY maybe they got this name because they look like coins…
WHITE CAP alittle smaller than a kidney bean
CANNELINI the most silky, creamy of the bunch and Italian classic
MEXICAN BLACK these are big black lima beans, really dramatic