This vibrant summer dish highlights the tiny, tender “baby” squash found at the Borba Family Farms booth at the Aptos Farmers Market — miniature pattypans and zucchinis bursting with flavor and texture. Despite their delicate size, these squash are firm and slightly bitter, which makes them perfect for high-heat caramelization and pairing with bold flavors....Read More

This traditional Italian pasta dish, known as Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, is a beautiful example of how just a few high-quality ingredients can create something extraordinary. The secret lies in the details: perfectly al dente pasta, fragrant garlic gently warmed in extra virgin olive oil, and a subtle heat from red chili flakes. Be sure...Read More

This Summer Potato Salad is a beloved Fourth of July tradition — though it’s delicious any time of year. With tender red potatoes, crisp green onions, and fresh parsley tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing, it’s the perfect side for barbecues, picnics, or any warm-weather gathering. The flavors are bright, balanced, and nostalgic — just...Read More

Every summer, Elena Salsedo, former owner of Sweet Elena’s Bakery & Café in Sand City, celebrates the market’s bounty with this rustic, buttery Summer Fruit Kuchen. Lightly sweet and golden, it’s the perfect way to showcase ripe apricots, cherries, plums, or berries. The tender whole wheat pastry and caramelized edges make it as welcome at...Read More

This Rhubarb Custard Pie is a classic example of the humble yet unforgettable desserts found throughout the rural South — simple, pure, and deeply comforting. Tender rhubarb brings its signature tang, perfectly balanced by a silky, lightly sweetened custard that bakes up golden and fragrant inside a flaky, homemade crust. The result is a pie...Read More

This Rich Chocolate Ice Cream is everything a homemade frozen dessert should be: velvety, intensely chocolatey, and perfectly balanced with a subtle tang from buttermilk. The combination of rich cream and farm-fresh egg yolks gives it an irresistibly smooth texture, while high-quality cocoa adds depth and sophistication. It’s a simple yet luxurious treat that churns...Read More

This treasured Shelly Family Rhubarb Pie comes from the family of Catherine Barr, Executive Director of the Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Markets. Passed down through generations, it’s a recipe that captures the warmth and nostalgia of home baking — a perfect balance of tart, juicy rhubarb wrapped in a buttery, flaky crust. The filling is...Read More

This elegant Pesto Cheese Torta is a crowd-pleasing appetizer layered with creamy, buttery cheese and vibrant homemade basil pesto. It’s rich, flavorful, and beautifully simple to prepare ahead—perfect for holidays, dinner parties, or wine nights. Served with crisp crackers or crostini, each slice reveals alternating layers of green and white that make a stunning presentation...Read More

Few desserts are as timeless—or as comforting—as a classic pound cake. Rich, buttery, and delicately golden, this cake has the perfect balance of moist crumb and tender texture. Whether served plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or topped with juicy summer fruit like peaches, berries, or macerated strawberries, it’s a dessert that never goes out of...Read More

This Fresh Lemon–Strawberry Sparkling Lemonade is sunshine in a glass—refreshingly tart, lightly sweet, and bursting with real fruit flavor. Fresh lemon juice gives it zing, while puréed strawberries (or raspberries) add a beautiful blush of color and natural sweetness. Finished with a splash of sparkling water, it’s the perfect drink for brunch, afternoon picnics, or...Read More