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

Elevate your diet effortlessly with microgreens – the tiny but mighty boosters of nutrition and flavor. Ounce for ounce, these delicate greens pack more nutrients than virtually any other natural food. Microgreens are the seedlings of vegetables and herbs, harvested at just seven to ten days old, before they develop true leaves. Despite their small...Read More

Transform your dishes with this simple yet irresistible hot honey recipe! Perfectly balancing sweet and spicy, this versatile condiment enhances everything from appetizers to fried chicken, grilled salmon, roasted vegetables, and cornbread. It even adds a delightful kick to tea or cocktails—and makes a thoughtful holiday gift for food-loving friends and family. Thanks to our...Read More

At the farmers market, you might see turnips and rutabagas side by side, and it’s easy to mistake one for the other. Both root vegetables belong to the Brassica family, making them cousins to cabbages and Brussels sprouts. However, turnips and rutabagas have their own unique flavors, textures, and culinary uses that make them worth...Read More

Most families have favorite stuffing or dressing recipes that have been passed down for several generations. If you weren’t privy to the early Thanksgiving morning kitchen activities as a kid, there’s a chance you may have missed watching Mom or Grandma making their signature stuffing. There are many stuffing recipes and variations from region to...Read More

Which kind of pumpkin is best for baking? Smaller is better – large field pumpkins, which are specially bred for Halloween jack-o-lanterns, are generally too tough and stringy for baking. Choose “pie” or "sugar" pumpkins or other flavorful varieties, such as Sugar Baby. Small and sweet, with dark orange-colored flesh, they're perfect for pies, muffins,...Read More

Roasting peppers brings out their natural sweetness and flavor, and makes them supple. Roast peppers over a direct flame on the stove or outside, or over coals on the grill, or in the oven under the broiler. What you will need: Peppers (however many you are roasting) Some olive oil or grapeseed oil A heat...Read More

Who doesn’t appreciate the special joy of indulging in ripe, juicy, and flavorful tomatoes during the summer season? Summer tomatoes are highly anticipated by many food enthusiasts because they tend to be at their peak of sweetness and flavor. The warmth of the summer sun seems to infuse these tomatoes with an extra burst of...Read More

It’s officially jam-making season, and the Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Markets are a haven for anyone eager to preserve the flavors of summer. In early June, the stalls burst with berries—strawberries, olallieberries, blackberries, blueberries, loganberries, raspberries, and gooseberries. Cherries and Blenheim apricots overlap for a short but sweet window, while early stone fruits like plums,...Read More

Small pickling cucumbers are available now at KT Farms at the Aptos Farmers Market, so this is the ideal time to make pickles. Making a small batch of pickles is a great weekend project that combines creativity with practicality. If you’re new to canning, following this simple guide for your first project will hopefully build...Read More