Summer corn is known for its sweet and delicious taste and is an American staple for barbecues, picnics, and beach cookouts. Whether you cook it on the grill, boil it, or use its kernels in various recipes, fresh corn is a delightful addition to many dishes and meals. Locally grown California corn has a very...Read More

It’s officially berry season on the Central Coast, and with it comes one of Northern California’s most beloved summer fruits: olallieberries. This bumpy, deep-purple berry may look rugged, but its sweet-tart flavor has earned it a cult-like following among berry lovers. A member of the blackberry family, the olallieberry is prized for its complex flavor...Read More

Rhubarb tends to spark strong opinions—you either love it or leave it. But for those of us who love it, May marks the peak of rhubarb season and the perfect time to bake, simmer, and savor. While most people associate rhubarb with pies, this vibrant stalk is surprisingly versatile, adding its signature tartness to galettes,...Read More

Lavender, with its unmistakable fragrance and calming properties, has long been prized for its beauty and therapeutic benefits. Native to the mountainous regions of the Western Mediterranean, this versatile herb was introduced to America by early settlers and has been cultivated for centuries. Of the approximately 40 known species, English lavender remains the most sought-after,...Read More

It is a great time for leafy greens at the farmers markets. I mean this in a couple of ways, too. It is great to have the greens since it is winter and there isn’t a huge variety of things growing. But best of all, this is a great time for eating them because the...Read More

Meyer lemons are a winter favorite, prized for their thin skin, floral aroma, and gentle sweetness. Learn what makes them special, how to use them, and where to find them fresh at local farmers markets.Read More

Did you know the Monterey Bay area is the second-largest producer of mushrooms in the U.S. and third in the world? Pennsylvania, where mushroom farming was pioneered, ranks first. The Chinese, who studied Pennsylvania’s methods for shiitake production, now lead global production. What was once considered exotic—shiitakes, lion’s mane, oysters, chanterelles, and Portobellos—are now everyday...Read More

A sure sign that November has arrived is the warm orange glow of persimmons lighting up many stalls at the farmers market. This deep red-orange radiance comes from persimmons—known in much of the world as kaki (a Japanese word pronounced kah-kee). The name persimmon comes from “pessamin,” an Algonquin term for the native North American...Read More

Pumpkins in the US are widely recognized as the classic orange-skinned winter squash with orange flesh, often used for Halloween carving and pies. However, the term “pumpkin” encompasses a diverse array of squash varieties from around the world, boasting a range of shapes, colors, and sizes. While the typical pumpkins associated with autumn are orange...Read More

Eggplant, also known as aubergine, is a member of the nightshade family, sharing its botanical lineage with tomatoes and potatoes. This strikingly diverse fruit—often mistaken for a vegetable—carries a long and fascinating history. In the 1600s, eggplants were called mala insane or “mad apples,” reflecting the belief that eating them might cause insanity. While those...Read More