Featured Seasonal Produce

Our farmers markets are a veritable showcase of the freshest California grown produce available year round.

The Central Coast is one of the most productive regions in the U.S. With its mild marine climate and fertile alluvial soil, we enjoy four seasons of vegetables and fruits. Known as the “Salad Bowl of the world,” our area produces numerous varieties of lettuces and greens, along with vegetables, mushrooms, carrots, peppers, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries as well as orchard fruits like heirloom apples, Blenheim apricots and many other row crops.

August Highlight: Basil

Few herbs capture the essence of summer quite like basil. With its unmistakable fragrance and bright, vibrant flavor, basil is a warm-weather culinary staple—especially in Italian cooking. The herb was so highly regarded by the ancient Romans that it came to symbolize love and fertility. Sweet basil—the familiar, tender green...

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August Highlight: Tomatillos

Look for fresh tomatillos at Pacific Rare Plants Nursery’s booth—and get ready to bring some bright, tangy flavor to your summer cooking. Wrapped in delicate, papery husks, tomatillos may resemble small green tomatoes, but they have a character all their own. Their lively flavor is tart, citrusy, and slightly fruity,...

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July Highlight: Sweet Corn

Few foods taste more like summer than fresh sweet corn. Whether it’s served hot off the grill, quickly boiled and slathered with butter, sliced raw into a salad, or tucked into salsas, soups, fritters, and chowders, sweet corn is one of the season’s great pleasures. It belongs at backyard barbecues,...

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June Highlight: Bitter Melon

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,...

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May Highlight: 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...

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April Highlight: 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,...

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March Highlight: 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.

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February Highlight: Avocados

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...

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January Highlight: 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.

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