It’s October and persimmons are here!! Persimmon season in California starts in late September and goes all the way through December. It feels like the orange colored fruit is specially made for Fall. It is bright orange and round in shape just like a pumpkin. If you have never tasted a persimmon this is the time to try them. There are two distinct varieties of persimmons – the Fuyu which is the small, flatter fruit that is eaten like an apple. They are sweet, mild, and rich. People describe it as “honey-like”. Its texture is similar to an apricot and its skin is a bit tougher than an apple. You can add them to a green salad, or breakfast cereal, or frozen to add in your smoothie. You can bake them in a pie just like apples. The Hachiya variety must be ripened to almost a pudding. You can find many ways to use these , although our favorites has to be in jams, pancakes, persimmon bread and the best yet...persimmon cookies. Persimmons may keep for months if stored in a dry, dark, cool place. Stop by any of your local Farmers’ Market and you will soon see lots of persimmons throughout the coming weeks.
Broccoli Sprouts
Did you know broccoli sprouts have tons of great health benefits? There’s a phytochemical named sulforaphane that is found in cruciferous vegetables and some of the highest levels are found in Broccoli Sprouts. Sulforaphane is well studied to be anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and may even protect against aging and diabetes. It also helps open the Nrf2 pathway which leads to increased cellular glutathione in the body. Since glutathione is the master antioxidant, this has far-reaching benefits for the body. Basically these little green sprouts carry a powerhouse of benefits everyone needs. Eating 2.5 ounces of broccoli equals out to almost 3 lbs of grown broccoli. Who has time to eat 3 pounds of grown broccoli on a daily basis?
You may ask how to consume broccoli sprouts? Well, you can add them to almost anything you eat. Either on top of avocado toast, eggs in the morning, a wrap, a salad, tacos, or blended in a smoothie. Try them out for yourself. You can find them at Ojai Microgreens on Saturday mornings in Downtown Ventura and at AJ Broccoli Sprouts in Santa Clarita on Sunday mornings.
Summer Fruit
Stone fruit and watermelons will be going out of season soon. Even though it’s sad to think that sunny days will get shorter, it is exciting to know that fall is here, but that doesn’t mean summer fruit is gone just yet. Have you had the chance to try all the summer fruit the Farmers’ Market has to offer?
Right now, you will still find sweet Snow Angel white peaches, and O’Henry yellow peaches. There are plenty of Candy Pearl white nectarines and sweet burgundy pluots and plums. There are still many different varieties of watermelons and cantaloupes. Seedless or with seeds. The choice is yours.
Every year thousands of customers show up to purchase their favorite summer fruits. Once they go out of season, you won’t be able to get those varieties until the following year. So, hurry and stop by your local farmers’ market today and stock up.
Summer Melons
Even though summer is coming to an end, that does not mean your favorite summer fruits are going away anytime soon. This summer everything started a little late ripening which means we have had more varieties available throughout August and this will continue through late September.
Right now, you will find several different kinds of delicious watermelon. From old fashioned seeded red, sweet red seedless, to juicy yellow. Watermelons are famous for their refreshing taste, and they also possess high Lycopene levels, vitamins A, B6, C, and Potassium to help your immune system.
Here are delicious recipes to make using watermelons.
• For like a quick, low-calorie salad, Toss cut up watermelon, cut cucumbers, feta cheese, sunflower Microgreens , olive oil, lime juice, salt and pepper to taste.
• You can make frozen popsicles for the kids. Blend watermelon, sugar and lime juice. Add water if needed. Put them in popsicle molds and freeze.
• You can grill the watermelon during your next bbq and add it to your meal.
• Add watermelon to your smoothie with broccoli sprouts. And now you have a powerhouse of benefits that combines sulforaphane to boost your already healthy drink.
• Use the juice and make delicious drink, whether it is a watermelon margarita, an adult cocktail or a refreshing juice for the kids.
• Another cool thing is that you can use the watermelon as a fruit bowl. Cut out all the fruit filling to make a bowl and add different fruits to eat and display.
Don’t fret, these watermelon babies will be around for a little while longer. Stop by any of our Farmers Markets and try one or more of the different varieties from our local farms.
The Hot Peppers
Peppers bring so much flavor to any meal. Have you had a chance to try all the different varieties our Farmers Markets have to offer?
Bell Peppers, Poblano, Anaheim, Serrano, Habanero, and Cayenne are some popular ones and all are in season now!
I love using Bell Peppers for stuffing with delicious meat stuffing. I do a simple mix of ground beef, rice, chopped onions, taco seasoning, salt and pepper and top it off with mozzarella cheese. Bake in the oven for about 30-35 mins at 350 degrees.
I also use Poblano peppers to stuff because they are still big enough to have a little meal inside. For a Southwest Poblano I combine red rice, black beans, corn, roasted tomatoes and a little bit of cheddar cheese to melt right on top. I bake these at 350 degrees for 30 mins.
I use Anaheim peppers for Chile Rellenos. I use the similar stuffing that I use for the Bell peppers. I beat egg whites, dip the stuffed chili and fry it.
If you like spicy Pico De Gallo, use Serrano Peppers like I do, to give it a kick. I chop tomatoes, cilantro, red onion, 1 Serrano pepper, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
For a yummy salsa I use habanero and mangoes to make a salsa. I chop a mango, red onion, cilantro, 1 habanero pepper, lime juice, salt and pepper. Enjoy it with tortilla chips.
Lastly, I like using cayenne pepper to spice up my stir fry dishes. It’s very flavorful and adds color too. (I love the powdered kind too)
Please share with us if you already use any of these peppers in your daily meals. Please send us some of your delicious recipes, photos and/or suggestions on how to use these delicious little fruits. We would love to share them on our website and social media. Stop by any of our Farmers Markets this summer and you will find many varieties of peppers, in many colors and shapes from many different vendors.
Eggplants
What is an eggplant? Did you know egg plants are considered a fruit? Eggplant is a plant species in the nightshade family solanaceae. Some of the other veggies in the nightshade family include peppers, tomatoes, and potatoes. Solanum melongena is grown worldwide and its purple on the outside and brown when the fruit is cut open. The seeds and skin can be eaten, and it has a very similar taste to summer squash and zucchini. Eggplants are low in calories and sodium and they are high in fiber, potassium and vitamin B.
Whether you use to grill, stuffed roasted, served in soups, stews and kabobs, you’ll definitely want more. Get them while in season at our Farmers Markets and try the different varieties some of our vendors have to offer. Graffiti, Italian, Thai, Japanese and Chinese eggplants are in the markets now. You can always ask our farmers for more information or recipes using these beautiful purple fruits.
Opening Back Up
After a year of uncertainty, changes and adjustments, we are glad to welcome everyone back to our markets. We are very appreciative of everyone's continued support to all the farmers and the food vendors. Our markets will continue to adapt and there will continue to be changes made over the summer to make our markets better than ever.
We are entering the peak of our market season, with the arrival of the stone fruits, melons and peppers! Lots of new colors, smells and beautiful produce arriving each week. We are ramping up our social media and advertising campaigns and we would love your help with pictures, recipes and ideas on how you use our fresh fruits and veggies in your daily lives. Please contact us at our contact page, or on Instagram or Facebook.
We are now very hopeful that everyone and everything is staying safe and healthy. We will continue to get back to our normal routines and continue to bring you the freshest produce. Visit us at the Midtown Ventura, Thousand Oaks, Downtown Ventura and the Santa Clarita Certified Farmers’ Markets and thanks again for all your support during this difficult time.
Independence Day BBQ
How excited are we for our 4th of July festivities? I bet you are more excited for this Independence Day more than you have in other years. It’s been tough for all of us to have been in lock-down and not been able to celebrate any of our favorite holidays. So for this 4th of July I want you to think about your favorites to put on the grill. Stop by our Farmers’ Markets this week and find delicious sweet corn, different varieties of eggplant, summer squash, zucchini, asparagus , German sausage, fresh fish and grass fed beef. Not to mention your sides, like watermelon, potatoes, carrots, brussels sprouts, or a simple Caesar salad. The possibilities you have with all of our vendors are endless. You can also pick up dessert; kettle corn, handmade toffee, yogurts, or sweet breads. We look forward to seeing you here this week. Stop by the Information Booth to get help finding these great products. Don’t forget we’ll be open this weekend July 3rd and 4th.
Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry Tomatoes are in! These little round tomatoes can be the size of a thumb to the size of a golf ball. They can be round or oblong in shape and can range in color too. You will find red-, green-, yellow-, or orange-colored tomatoes and boy do they deliver a burst of flavor. They are great for salads, party trays to snack on, or I like to use them in a sauce for pasta.
These little guys are also full of vitamins and minerals that promote excellent health. Packed with vitamin C and Lycopene, they can help prevent strokes, and prostate cancer, reduce inflammation, and prevent blood clotting. All that and their calcium content helps support bone health.
At only 25 calories per one-cup serving you will enjoy eating these sweet things and won’t regret it. Basically, they are an appetite suppressant, high-volume food, which means they have high amounts of water, air and fiber. Plus, they are low in sugar, and non-starchy, great for vegetable in meal planning for diabetics. So next time you stop by the Farmers Market pick up a box or two of cherry tomatoes and start building better health. You can find these sweet tomatoes at many of our vendors throughout the markets during the summer season.
Peaches from California
Did you know California grows 60% of all peaches grown in the United States? This equals to four hundred thousand tons produced right here locally.
Everyone knows the only way to know distinguish the difference between a peach and a nectarine is the fuzzy skin, right? But do you know the difference between a white peach or white yellow peach? The white flesh varieties typically are very sweet with little acidity, while the white yellow fleshed peaches have more of an acidic tang coupled with sweetness.
Peaches are rich in many vitamins and minerals including Chlorogenic acid. The skin of the peach is high in fiber and antioxidants, so eat the whole peach to get the greatest potential health benefits.
Add those whole peaches to your breakfast oatmeal, top off your pancakes, or in your smoothie.
For a snack throughout your day. Add them to a salad for lunch or in a soup. Try wrapping peaches in bacon, grill slices on the BBQ and for dessert add them in a peach cobbler.
I hope you’re as excited to see peaches as we are. Summer is almost here and these fruits are starting to trickle in our markets. Mizuno Family Farms, Kens Top Notch and Espinosa Farm have all started bringing them to our Farmers’ Markets.
Cherries!
It’s May and you know what that means? Cherry season is finally here and we have so much to be excited about. Our Farmers’ Markets have started carrying these sweet delicious fruits. No matter if you like crunchy or soft cherries, sour or tart, you have to eat them up because you only have a short time to enjoy these locally grown sweet beauties from May through August.
You might already know that there a lot of health benefits in cherries. For example, cherries are rich in antioxidants. These natural chemicals can help your body deal with day to day damage to your cells including those damage by smoking, pollution or radiation. Cherries may also help combating muscle damage from strenuous day to day activities. Cherries can also help with weight loss, lower blood pressure and aid in regulating your blood sugar.
Need to lower your cholesterol? Studies have shown tart cherry juice has shown to lower cholesterol levels down and could cut your risk for heart disease. Cherries have also been known to help with Gout, sleep aid, lower anxiety, lower stress, and it’s also a brain booster.
So, no matter if you want to eat them up as a snack or make a cherry pie, you are missing out if you don’t hurry down to the market. Come check out the different varieties of local-grown cherries from our local farmers; like Murray Family Farms, Kens Top Notch, or Espinosa Farm. You will find these delicious cherries at all four of our weekly Farmers Markets.
Never judge an orange by its cover!
When you think of oranges I’m sure you are thinking you have to wait until summer. But did you know that the Cara Cara navel oranges are in season during the winter? These oranges are an early to mid season fruits, are a special color inside and are ready for your enjoyment from December through April.
Cara Cara navel oranges were discovered in 1976 in Cara Cara, Venezuela and are a cross between the Washington and Brazilian Bahia navel oranges. These beauties are orange on the outside and PINK, yes pink, on the inside. This mid sized fruit is sweet, seedless and have a little acidity to them. One nice thing about these oranges is that they have very little pith (the spongy white tissue lining of most citrus fruits) making it very easy to peel. It’s distinct taste is reminiscent to roses, cherries and even raspberries. These oranges are also a superfood which are high in antioxidants, only 80 calories, 19 grams of carbs and 3 grams of fiber, as well as a good source of vitamin A and C.
Cara Caras are now grown successfully in California, and you can find them locally at all four of our farmers markets. Find them at the stands of Ken's Top Notch, Timber Canyon Ranch and Espinoza Farm for the next two months or so. Everyone will love eating these sweet treats. Great for your little ones because Cara Caras have no seeds and are easy to peel. You can also juice them, add them to a recipe or just devour them as a snack. Just remember, you can never judge an orange by it's cover.
Soup Weather!
We’ve all been there, cold and chilly weather usually calls for a hearty and healthy soup. It also doesn’t have to be difficult to make. Just a few locally sourced ingredients grown from our farmers in our markets will help you create a delicious soup. You can toss everything in your crockpot and let it cook for a few hours, or you can use your stove top and it’ll be ready in a few minutes.
The simplest soups tend to be the most delicious.
For instance, a chicken noodle soup is the most popular and yet simple to make. You can find celery, carrots, onions and cilantro at any of our four farmers markets then you can decide if you want to make your own chicken broth or buy it at your local grocery store. Chicken noodle soup‘s are known to warm you up fast while you fill up your belly. Not only does the chicken noodle soup sound amazingly delicious when it’s cold and rainy, but, it also has been known to clear nasal congestion and ease cold symptoms. Make sure you eat your soup while it’s hot, the steam of your soup will help you breathe better as well. The steam will help open up your airways, helping enhance your senses of taste and smell.
To keep the simplicity moving and your health always at the top of your mind. A fun, quick and healthy soup is adding finely chopped onion and an apple, some garlic, 1 1/2 pounds of carrots (If carrots are not available you can also substitute it with squash), 4 cups of low sodium vegetable stock, some thyme, Greek yogurt, salt and pepper to taste. And let’s not forget a little bit of turmeric.
This great tasting spice has kept our health heart healthy, increases our anti-oxidant capacity and helps increase BDNF (essential brain hormone) in the brain helping with improved memory and overall well-being. This soup is not only soothing to the soul but also beneficial to our bodies.
You can also make another recipe like a creamy broccoli and potato soup, this one is one of my favorites because with just a few ingredients you have made something for the whole family to enjoy; not only are you getting healthy ingredients in your body, you will also stay hydrated as well.
I have added one of my favorite recipes from Carina, our Market Manager to the blog for your enjoyment.
Creamy Potato Soup
1/2 lb of potatoes
2 cans of chicken broth
1 can of cream of chicken
1 package of cream cheese
1 onion
Broccoli
Shredded cheese
Chives
Sour cream
Bacon
Put peeled and cut potatoes, onion, cream of chicken, chicken broth, salt and pepper in the crockpot. Cook for about 3 to 4 hours on High
Last 30 minutes add fresh broccoli and package of cream cheese. Top off with sour cream, chives, shredded cheese and bacon.
Tamales!
The Christmas season brings many different traditions to people throughout the world. One of those traditions’ centers around the hunger for Tamales! Me Gusta Tamales offers many varieties including meat, chicken, beef, pork, cheese & green chili, vegetarian and even a sweet corn & sweet pineapple tamale. Tis the season – start thinking tamales!
Seafood!
When it's time to get dinner on the table, think Seafood! High in protein and low in calories, fresh seafood is filled with important nutrients and minerals, key to boosting health. Seafood has been shown to decrease the risk of heart attack, stroke, obesity, and hypertension in addition to providing essential nutrients for infants and children. Bluewater Seafood at the Santa Clarita market offers a full range of fresh fish year-round including Salmon, Halibut, Tuna, Clams, Mussels, Oysters, True & Rock Cod, Petrale Sole and fresh Scallops. You can also find delicious seafood from Santa Barbara Channel Seafood Company which offers Salmon, Halibut, Swordfish, Mahi Mahi and Black Cod high in Omega-3 fatty acids at the Thousand Oaks and Downtown Ventura Farmers’ Markets.
Octoberfest Sausage
Fall means it’s time to grab the sweaters, boots, and scarves out of the closet while preparing some great fall recipes for all to enjoy. Fall is celebrated in many ways including the popular German fall festival, Octoberfest filled with many traditions including delicious sausage! YouBite LLC, a family owned business, offers authentic German style meat products and sausages that can tie into celebrations or simply a scrumptious meal. Products are handcrafted in Camarillo and are made just like they were back in the old days. Tasty pairings with sausage include Sauerkraut, which can be purchased from Wild at Heart, an Ojai based vendor that can abe found at the Farmers’ Markets. Other great accompaniments that go well with sausage include potatoes, sauteed peppers or a French baguette roll. YouBite also suggests trying a creamy cauliflower side dish that makes for a great pairing with sausage:
YOUBITE's German Brats with Cauliflower
Take the cauliflower florets apart, wash and cook in salty water
Peel, wash and cut potatoes and cook in salty water
Heat up pan and use oil or butter to start frying the sausages on low temperature
When the cauliflower is done set aside the excess water for your sauce
Place butter in pot and let it melt. Then slowly start adding the flour and mix everything thoroughly
When the butter and the flour have bonded, add 1 cup of the excess water from the cauliflower. You can also add a bit of milk, cream, or stock on top for a more intense taste.
Bring everything to a boil. Add some capers, salt, pepper, and nutmeg to your liking.
By now the potatoes and the brats should be ready to be served. Enjoy!
Time 45min 1lb (4 sausages) YOUBITE German Bratwurst 1 Cauliflower To taste Salt To taste Pepper To taste Capers To taste Nutmeg ¼ cup Flour ¼ cup Butter Milk/cream/stock Golden Potatoes
Winter Squash & Persimmons
Winter squash comes in many shapes, sizes, and flavors with some varieties available year-round. Winter squash have thick, tough shells that protect the sweet, rich flesh inside which makes them excellent storage vegetables. Gaining in popularity, Butternut Squash sautés quickly and is especially good when roasted. Butternut Squash works well in soups, in a ravioli filling or as a risotto flavor. Another favorite, Spaghetti Squash is all about texture. The flesh easily pulls apart into thick, slightly crisp, noodle-like strands. Spaghetti Squash can be served with tomato or spaghetti sauce or perhaps roasted with butter and salt. Delicata Squash is large weighing 3 and 5 pounds with pale yellow-white skin and orange or bright yellow flesh. This oblong, sweet, nutty squash is striped in bright yellow, dark green, and orange. Hubbard Squash tends to be some of the largest winter squash with dark green to pale grayish blue skins and a clear pumpkin flavor. Hubbard Squash is best roasted. Try seasoning them with rosemary and black pepper. A favorite winter fruit, Persimmons are also a pleasant addition to your winter meals. There are many varieties with Hachiya and Fuyu among the most popular. Hachiya has a heart shape and is considered more flavorable than other sweet varieties. Fuyu has a light orange/yellow color and shaped like a tomato. With its crisp and crunchy texture, the Fuyu is a cross between an apple and an apricot. Laubacher Farms has Delicata Squash and Musque de Provence Squash (Italian variety). Underwood Family Farms offers Butternut Squash, Kabocha and Spaghetti Squash in addition to Fuyu & Hachiya Persimmons.
Hot August Nights – Hot Sauces Spices Things Up!
Bringing “seeds to sauce”, Underwood Family Farms recently added six new sauces to help spice up your summer recipes. Shoppers are embracing the new sauces with the most popular being the Spicy BBQ and Carolina Gold BBQ sauces. Carolina Gold is where East meets West with its blend of red jalapenos and a mustard-based Carolina-style BBQ sauce. The mild Carolina Gold is great on pulled pork, hot dogs, French fries, and chicken strips. Verde Hot Sauce is combined with roasted green jalapenos with a subtle mix of spices and lemon juice. This mild sauce pairs well with all Mexican dishes, eggs, and seafood. The spiciest sauce, Roja Hot Sauce is a mix of roasted red jalapenos with a blend of spices that help liven up any Mexican dish, pizza, or seafood. An ideal sidekick for any protein, Spicy BBQ Sauce is made with red jalapeno peppers and fresh ingredients. This medium sauce pairs well with ribs, chicken wings or a fun dip. Spicy yet not overwhelming, Bibimbap Sauce is a fusion of Korean Gochujang made with red jalapenos and sesame oil. This mild sauce compliments any dish or single item or perhaps try it as a sandwich for a whole new experience! Underwood’s special Sriracha Sauce combines the boldness of the peppers’ flavor with fresh garlic and just enough salt, sugar, and vinegar to deliver a touch of tanginess. The mild Sriracha Sauce works very well as an ingredient to any dish, sushi rolls, hot dogs, or pizza. Sauces range in price from $3.25 to $5.25.