Annaliese Keller | Edible Paradise

Discover how to build a better smoothie using seasonal farmers market produce, nourishing whole-food ingredients, and simple nutrition-building formulas for delicious everyday breakfasts.

How to Feed and Care for Your Sourdough Starter

Breads, Culinary Resources, Homestead Kitchen, SourdoughHow to feed starter, how to maintain sourdough starter, sourdough, sourdough starter

If you’ve just begun your sourdough journey, congratulations — you’re keeping a little kitchen “pet” that rewards you with delicious bread, pancakes, pizza, and more! The good news is: keeping a sourdough starter happy doesn’t have to be complicated. With a little consistency and a few simple habits, your starter will thrive for years to...

Looking for a delicious way to enjoy microgreens? Sandra Ward of New Natives Farm shares her favorite smoothie recipe featuring seasonal fruit, fresh microgreens, and a nutrient-rich superfood blend.

June Highlight: Bitter Melon

Featured Seasonal Produce, Fresh at the MarketAsian cooking, asian vegetables, bitter melon, Chinese cooking, farmers market vegetables, Indian cooking, KT Farms, Monterey Farmers Market, seasonal produce, Southeast Asian cuisine, specialty produce, stir fry recipes, unusual vegetables, vegetable guide

Have you ever wandered through the farmers market, spotted a strange bumpy green vegetable, and thought: What on earth is that? You’re not alone. One of the most fascinating specialty crops grown by KT Farms at the Monterey Farmers Market is bitter melon — an ingredient beloved throughout Asia, India, Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and...

Eggplant: The Beautiful “Mad Apple” of Summer

Home Page Storiesaubergine, Chinese eggplant, eggplant, Italian eggplant, Japanese eggplant, Mad apple, Thai eggplant

Glossy, dramatic, and endlessly versatile, eggplant may be one of the most misunderstood treasures of the summer farmers market. Known in Europe as aubergine, this member of the nightshade family shares its botanical roots with tomatoes and potatoes — though technically, it’s a fruit rather than a vegetable. Eggplant also carries a surprisingly colorful history....

Young woman learning how to make preserves

Canning Basics: Your Questions Answered

Canning, Preserving, and Fermentation, Culinary Resourcescanning, Canning information, Preserving food

If you have questions about canning ingredients, tools, or resources, send us an email and we will be happy to answer your questions! Q: Are liquid pectin and powdered pectin interchangeable?A: No. Use exactly what your recipe specifies. Q: How long is pectin shelf stable?A: Pectin (both powdered and liquid) should be used the year...

The Sweet Truth: Which Sugar Is Actually Healthiest?

Home Page Stories, Know Your Foodcooking, farmers market, food culture, Healthy eating, honey, maple syrup, natural sweeteners, nutrition, real food, sugar, sweeteners, wellness

Honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, stevia — are any of them truly healthier? Here’s what nutrition experts say about sugar, artificial sweeteners, and learning to use less overall.

Why Nutrition Experts Love Almonds

Home Page Storiesalmond nutrition, almonds, antioxidant foods, California almonds, edible paradise, farmers market, Healthy eating, healthy snacks, heart health, local food, nutrition, plant-based protein, vitamin E, wellness, whole foods

Almonds are one of the most nutrient-dense foods at the farmers market. Learn how these California-grown nuts support heart health, provide protein, and add nutrition to everyday meals.

Strawberry Cottage Cheese Smoothie

Uncategorizedcottage cheese, smoothie, strawberry

Sweet strawberries and creamy cottage cheese come together in this simple high-protein smoothie that tastes almost like strawberry cheesecake in a glass. Cottage cheese blends surprisingly smoothly, adding richness and staying power without overpowering the fresh berry flavor. This is an especially wonderful late spring and early summer smoothie when strawberries are at their peak...

Creamy Matcha Green Tea Smoothie

Drinks, Smoothiesmatcha smoothie

Earthy matcha, creamy yogurt, and sweet fruit come together in this refreshing smoothie that feels both energizing and nourishing. Matcha — finely ground green tea powder traditionally used in Japanese tea ceremonies — adds gentle caffeine along with antioxidants and a beautiful green color that pairs naturally with spring and summer ingredients. This smoothie is...