Edible Paradise :: Seasonal Cooking

Edible Paradise celebrates the year-round abundance of the highest quality, freshest food grown on the Central Coast by our family farmers at the Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Markets. If you enjoy preparing and eating locally grown food, this blog is for you!

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Colorful carrot bunches at farmers market booth
From vibrant purples and sunny yellows to sweet reds and classic orange, carrots offer far more than meets the eye. Discover the flavors, health benefits, and simple ways to enjoy this farmers market favorite — roots, tops, and all. Carrots may be one of the most familiar vegetables in our kitchens, but they’re also wonderfully...
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If your farmers market basket is filled first with vegetables—armfuls of greens, a few onions, maybe winter squash or ripe tomatoes—before you think about what else might go with them, you’re already practicing a way of eating that’s gaining quiet momentum. More and more people are stepping away from rigid food labels and embracing a...
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Small in size but mighty in impact, microgreens are one of the easiest ways to elevate both the nutrition and flavor of everyday meals. Ounce for ounce, these tender young greens contain a higher concentration of nutrients than nearly any other whole food — delivering vibrant color, fresh flavor, and powerful health benefits in every...
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Tray of assorted wild mushrooms
On the Central Coast, winter and early spring bring peak mushroom season. From foraged chanterelles to market-grown oysters, fungi are shaping how we cook, garden, and think about wellness.
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Bowl of pappardelle pasta with caramelized wild mushrooms
This Wild Mushroom Pappardelle is a comforting, deeply savory pasta that celebrates the earthy richness of mushrooms and the simple pleasure of a well-made bowl of noodles. Wide ribbons of pappardelle are coated in a silky sauce built from caramelized mushrooms, butter, fresh thyme, and a splash of wine, creating a dish that feels both...
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Blood oranges are one of winter’s most beautiful citrus treasures. Learn about California-grown blood orange varieties, how to cook with them, and where to find them at the farmers market.
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Pacific Rare Nursery has Little Gem lettuce starts that are ready for planting! Did you know lettuce grows beautifully in pots? Even better—if you harvest just the outer leaves, the plant will keep producing all season long.

We love planting Little Gems alongside a mix of other lettuces for fresh spring and summer salads, right outside the kitchen door.

#montereyfarmersmarket #growyourownfood #lettucelovers #containergardening #supportlocalgrowers

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A visit to Cavanaugh Color Nursery is like stepping into a living palette of color! From vibrant flowering potted plants to seasonal favorites that brighten patios, gardens, and doorsteps, their healthy plants are grown to thrive in our area.

Stop by their booth today and take home a little color for your garden—or a perfect plant to share.

The Monterey Farmers Market is open until noon.

#montereyfarmersmarket #supportlocalgrowers #seasonalblooms #gardeninspiration #plantlovers

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Donna Dirt Farms’ booth features a wonderful array of dried herbs, her signature herb blend seasoning, and dried citrus and chiles. Stop by to say hello—Donna loves sharing tips and ideas for using her herbs and spices to add depth, warmth, and brightness to your cooking.

The Monterey Farmers Market at the Del Monte Shopping Center is open until noon today.

#montereyfarmersmarket #driedherbs #localmakers #cookwithherbs #donnadirtfarm

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✨ New from Bay Living Culinary at the Aptos Farmers Market! ✨

We’re excited to share something delicious from Bay Living Culinary. Chef Jody—whose cooking many of you already love—has launched Entrées of the Week: fresh, ready-to-heat-and-serve meals designed to generously serve two people.

Each week’s entrées are crafted with seasonal ingredients sourced right from the farmers market, showcasing the best local flavors in comforting, beautifully prepared dishes. It’s an easy way to bring farmers-market goodness straight to your table—no prep required.

🧑‍🍳 How to order:

✔️ Place your order at the Bay Living Culinary booth at the Aptos Farmers Market for the following week

✔️ Or call/text 831-726-6855 to order directly

Come say hello, meet Chef Jody, and treat yourself to a weeknight (or weekend!) meal that feels special, local, and made with care.

#baylivingculinary #aptosfarmersmarket #cabrillocollege

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Nothing says spring quite like a fresh bouquet of fragrant narcissus. You’ll find these beautiful blooms — and so much more — at Gatanaga Nursery’s booth this morning at the Aptos Farmers Market.

Hope to see you soon!

#gatanaganursery #daffodils #springiscoming #aptosfarmersmarket

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Even though the market opens at 8 am, our farmers and vendors arrive much earlier to set up for the day. This morning, we were greeted by the most beautiful sunrise — a perfect start to another day with our farmers market family. 🌞

The Aptos Farmers Market is open until noon. Come by and stock up for the week.

#aptosfarmersmarket #cabrillocollege #saturday #californiagrown

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✨Comfort food at its best!✨ Chef Jody of Bay Living Culinary will be serving up fresh hot biscuits and gravy alongside her award-winning chowder Saturday, January 17 at the Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College. Come hungry — you’ll be glad you did! It’s the perfect way to fuel up before strolling the market, chatting with farmers, and discovering what’s in season.

The Aptos Farmers Market will be open 8-12. 

#aptosfarmersmarket #baylivingculinary #hotbiscuits #awaredwinningchowder #breakfast

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Good morning from the Monterey Farmers Market at the Del Monte Shopping Center. We’re open today until noon. 

First stop—Amen Bee! Lynne brings an incredible variety of local, raw honey to the markets — each with its own flavor, color, and character. From pine and sage to red raspberry and wildflower, each jar tells a different seasonal story, shaped by local blooms and hardworking bees.

Here are just a few benefits of raw honey:

🐝  Naturally rich in antioxidants that support overall wellness

🐝  Unfiltered and raw, preserving enzymes and beneficial compounds

🐝  May help support seasonal allergy tolerance when sourced locally

🐝  Gentler on blood sugar than refined sugars (and far more flavorful)

🐝  Naturally antibacterial, long valued for soothing sore throats and coughs

🐝  Reflects local landscapes, with flavor shaped by regional blossoms

#amenbee #rawhoney #delmonteshoppingcenter #montereyfarmersmarket #honey

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Good morning from the Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College! It’s a chilly one today, so bundle up and come say hello. 🥶

Prevedelli’s Farms local organic apples are a weekly staple—crisp, juicy, and full of flavor. Prefer them tart? Check. Sweet? Check. And while we’ll never say no to apple pie 🤭, apples shine just as beautifully in savory dishes, like braised red cabbage.

One of our favorites this time of year is an Apple, Onion, and Gorgonzola Quiche—perfect for a cozy brunch or easy dinner. You’ll find this recipe (and more) on our companion site, Edible Paradise.

The farmers market is open until noon. 

#prevedellifarms #edibleparadise #aptosfarmersmarket #apples

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✨ New at the Aptos Farmers Market! ✨

We’re excited to share something delicious from Bay Living Culinary. Chef Jody—whose cooking many of you already love—has launched Entrées of the Week: fresh, ready-to-heat-and-serve meals designed to generously serve two people.

Each week’s entrées are crafted with seasonal ingredients sourced right from the farmers market, showcasing the best local flavors in comforting, beautifully prepared dishes. It’s an easy way to bring farmers-market goodness straight to your table—no prep required.

🧑‍🍳 How to order:

✔️ Place your order at the Bay Living Culinary booth at the Aptos Farmers Market for the following week

✔️ Or call/text 831-726-6855 to order directly

Come say hello, meet Chef Jody, and treat yourself to a weeknight (or weekend!) meal that feels special, local, and made with care.

#baylivingculinary #aptosfarmersmarket #cabrillocollege

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