Fresh at the Market | Edible Paradise

May 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...

May Highlight: Strawberries

Featured Seasonal Produceorganic strawberries, strawberries

There may be no fruit more closely associated with spring in California than the strawberry. Sweet, fragrant, and intensely seasonal, strawberries arrive at the farmers market just as the days begin to warm and the first signs of summer appear. What many people don’t realize is that the modern strawberry is actually a relatively recent...

April Highlight: Cabbage

Featured Seasonal Produce, Fresh at the Marketcabbage, California grown cabbage

Throughout history, cabbage has been far more than a kitchen staple — it has played surprising roles across cultures. From ancient Egyptian Pharaohs to famed explorer Captain Cook, its uses have ranged from hangover remedies to wound dressings. And while the whimsical myth of babies sprouting from cabbage patches endures, this cruciferous vegetable remains a...

March Highlight: Asparagus

Featured Seasonal Produceasparagus, asparagus recipes, fresh asparagus, how to cook asparagus

Asparagus is a prized spring vegetable known for its delicate flavor and exceptional nutrition. Learn how to select, store, and cook fresh asparagus — plus explore favorite seasonal recipes from Edible Paradise.

February Highlight: Avocados

Featured Seasonal Produceavocado, avocados, california grown avocados, Gwen, Hass

As Californians, we have so many things to be thankful for when it comes to fresh food—and avocados are certainly one of them. At our farmers market, several vendors supply these sublime fruits. Since California produces about 95% of the avocados grown in the United States, it’s no surprise we enjoy such abundance. When it...

January Highlight: Lemons

Featured Seasonal ProduceCalifornia citrus season, citrus, citrus season, lemons, meyer lemons

It’s peak lemon season at the farmers market. Discover the difference between Eureka and Meyer lemons, plus fun citrus facts, seasonal tips, and fresh ideas for using lemons all winter long.

December Highlight: Sweet Potatoes

Featured Seasonal Producephil foster ranches, Pinaccle, sea to sky farm, sweet potato, sweet potatoes, yams

Sweet potatoes have a rich history, vibrant varieties, and impressive nutritional benefits. Learn how to choose, store, and enjoy them in everything from savory dishes to sweet treats.

November Highlight: Pomegranates

Featured Seasonal Producehealthy food, heart health, pomegranate, pomegranate recipes, Rancho Padre Farm

Bright, tart, and bursting with juicy flavor, pomegranates are one of autumn’s most striking fruits. Their glossy, ruby-red arils add sparkle to both sweet and savory dishes — and they’re now in season from Rancho Padre Farm and Minazzoli Farms, available at the Aptos and Monterey Farmers Markets. A Fruit with Ancient Roots The name...

October Highlight: Brussels Sprouts

Featured Seasonal Produce, Fresh at the MarketBrussels sprouts, sprouts

Brussels sprouts, members of the cruciferous family (Brassica oleracea), may resemble tiny cabbages, but these emerald-green clusters hold far more than charm. Usually one to two inches in size, they thrive in cool coastal climates and reach peak sweetness after the first autumn frost—making fall the perfect season to enjoy them at their very best....

A bin full of fresh chestnuts at Minazzoli Farms

October Highlight: Chestnuts

Featured Seasonal Producechestnuts, how to roast chestnuts, Minazzoli Farms

Chestnuts have a fascinating history and are making a small but sweet comeback. Find fresh chestnuts now at Minazzoli Farms at the farmers markets—but only for a limited time! A Little History In the 1800s, Chinese chestnut trees were brought to the U.S. Unfortunately, they carried a fungus—chestnut blight—that devastated the native American chestnut population....