St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect time to gather around the table and celebrate the comforting flavors of Irish cooking. From soda bread to barmbrack and a hearty pot of corned beef, these traditional dishes have become beloved staples of the holiday — simple, satisfying foods meant to be shared. At the center of many...Read More

At the Borba Family Farms booth at the Aptos and Monterey Farmers Markets, broccolini often disappears quickly. Long, graceful stems topped with delicate florets spill across the table — vibrant green and impossibly fresh. It looks familiar, but it’s something entirely its own. First things first: broccolini is not baby broccoli. Broccolini is actually a...Read More

There is something deeply satisfying about pulling a beet from the earth. Still dusted with soil, greens waving like banners, they feel ancient and grounding — a vegetable that connects us directly to the soil beneath our feet. At the farmers markets in April, beets arrive in jewel tones: ruby red, sunset gold, candy-striped pink....Read More

Each spring, the first bundles of asparagus arrive at the Aptos and Monterey Farmers Markets like a quiet announcement that the season has changed. At the Borbaa Family Farms and Klein Family Farms booths, those bright green spears practically glow on the table — freshly cut, tender, and ready for the kitchen. For Chef Andrew,...Read More

Artichokes are everywhere along the Central California coast, thriving in the region’s mild, foggy climate. Driving down Highway One toward Monterey, you’ll pass fields of artichokes in every stage of growth. Castroville proudly claims the title of “Artichoke Capital of the World” and hosts the annual Castroville Artichoke Food and Wine Festival. Although artichokes are...Read More

We’ve all heard of things like the Year of the Horse or the Year of the Dragon — symbols meant to represent strength, luck, or transformation. But the Year of the Cabbage? At first glance, it might give you pause. And yet… it makes perfect sense. For years, cabbage has quietly done the work —...Read More

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...Read More

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...Read More

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...Read More

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.Read More