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Pomegranates

Many scholars believe that the forbidden fruit that Eve could not resist was a pomegranate, not an apple. The name comes from Middle French, pomme garnete, which means ‘seeded apple.’ Whether you enjoy snacking on the tangy, juicy arils (seeds) or sipping a glass of juice, pomegranates are one of the healthiest foods you can eat!

Ruby Jewels of Autumn

Winter Squash

The Fall farmers market is full of colorful displays of many varieties of winter squash in all shapes and sizes — from familiar pumpkins and butternut squash to more exotic items like turban and kabocha squash. Our market chef, Andrew Cohen, shares his tips for selecting the best winter squash.

Fall Harkens Arrival of Winter Squash

Mushrooms

What were once exotic are now commonplace — shiitakes, oysters, cremini, chanterelles, and Portobellos. The Monterey Bay area produces over 200 million pounds of mushrooms per year and is the second largest producer of mushrooms in the US and third in the world. Pennsylvania, where mushroom farming was pioneered, ranks first in the US for mushroom production.

Spore-Powered Superfood

Homemade Apple Pie

The Pajaro Valley, once known as the apple capital of the US, still produces a huge variety of flavorful, heirloom apples. One “secret” our best pie bakers shared is to use a couple of varieties in a pie, such as a combination of Jonagold and Mutsu apples. If you’re looking for a great pie recipe or need a fool-proof pie crust, here’s our best apple pie recipe collection!

Nothing Says “Home” Like Apple Pie

FIGS

California Mission figs are a unique and highly prized variety of figs that are renowned for their rich flavor and succulent texture. They can be enjoyed fresh, straight off the tree, or used in a variety of both sweet and savory dishes. The history of California Mission figs can be traced back to the late 18th century when Franciscan missionaries brought fig cuttings to California as part of their mission to establish agricultural settlements.

AN ANCIENT FRUIT WITH MODERN APPEAL

Edible Paradise celebrates the year-round abundance of the highest quality, freshest food grown on the Central Coast by our family farmers at the Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Markets. If you enjoy preparing and eating locally grown food, this blog is for you!

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How to Make Great Stuffing

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...

Brussels Sprouts: The New Star of the Winter Kitchen

Brussels sprouts used to have a bit of a reputation, didn’t they? Many of us grew up seeing them mostly on Grandma’s Thanksgiving table, where their strong taste and unpleasant smell didn’t always make them the crowd favorite. But times have changed, and so have our cooking methods! Thanks to innovative recipes and techniques, Brussels...

Sarah’s Pumpkin Pie

One of our former plant vendors, Sarah Machado from Upstarts Organic Seedlings, is also a very fine baker and cook. Sarah shared her favorite pumpkin pie recipe. “This recipe is my twist on Libby’s famous pumpkin pie. The recipe makes two 9-inch pumpkin pies. If you have time, instead of using canned pumpkin, make your...

Kabocha Squash — A Fall Favorite

The kabocha squash, often called the “Japanese pumpkin,” is a winter squash known for its delicious flavor, rich texture, and culinary versatility. This humble squash stands out not only for its delightful taste but also for its efficiency—both the tender skin and the seeds are edible, minimizing waste and maximizing flavor. Kabocha squash is celebrated...

How to Make Fresh Pumpkin Purée

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,...

Pomegranates — Ancient Fruit with Modern Heart Health Benefits

The name “pomegranate” derives from the Latin pomum (‘apple’) and granatus (‘seeded’). Jewish scholars believe that the pomegranate was the original “forbidden fruit” of the Garden of Eden. The pomegranate has been a prominent symbol in many religions and cultures since Biblical times, when Moses promised his followers that they would find the fruit in...

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Meet our newest vendors, Seth and Jack, with Fiji Wild Coffee! The beans are wild sourced and hand-picked in Fiji. Stop by to welcome them to our market and try their coffee.

The Aptos Farmers Market is open today until noon. Hope to see you soon!

#fijiwild #fijiwildcoffee #aptosfarmersmarket

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Meet our newest vendors, Seth and Jack, with Fiji Wild Coffee! The beans are wild sourced and hand-picked in Fiji. Stop by to welcome them to our market and try their coffee.

The Aptos Farmers Market is open today until noon. Hope to see you soon!

#fijiwild #fijiwildcoffee #aptosfarmersmarket

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Good morning from the Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College! Something new from Lavender Creek Company—soothing oil based roll-ons! Be sure to stop by the booth to see all of their lavender scented products.

#lavender #lavendercreekcompany #aptosfarmersmarket

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Good morning from the Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College! Something new from Lavender Creek Company—soothing oil based roll-ons! Be sure to stop by the booth to see all of their lavender scented products.

#lavender #lavendercreekcompany #aptosfarmersmarket

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Stop by Companion Bakeshop’s booth at the Del Monte Shopping Center and pick up a delightful sweet treat for dessert tonight!

The Monterey Farmers Market is open today until noon. Tomorrow, the Aptos Farmers market at Cabrillo College is open 8 until noon, rain or shine!

#companionbakeshop #montereyfarmersmarket #bakedgoods

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Stop by Companion Bakeshop’s booth at the Del Monte Shopping Center and pick up a delightful sweet treat for dessert tonight!

The Monterey Farmers Market is open today until noon. Tomorrow, the Aptos Farmers market at Cabrillo College is open 8 until noon, rain or shine!

#companionbakeshop #montereyfarmersmarket #bakedgoods

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Whatever you do—don’t miss these beautifully packaged, exquisite chocolates at Qouign’s booth today! Handmade with love and absolutely divine, they make the perfect gift for a special friend… or a well-deserved treat for yourself.

Swing by the Monterey Farmers Market at Del Monte Shopping Center and pick up a box before they’re gone!

💕 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

#ValentinesDay #qouignpastries #chocolate #farmersmarketfinds #montereyfarmetsmarket

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Whatever you do—don’t miss these beautifully packaged, exquisite chocolates at Qouign’s booth today! Handmade with love and absolutely divine, they make the perfect gift for a special friend… or a well-deserved treat for yourself.

Swing by the Monterey Farmers Market at Del Monte Shopping Center and pick up a box before they’re gone!

💕 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

#ValentinesDay #qouignpastries #chocolate #farmersmarketfinds #montereyfarmetsmarket

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Why not give living flowers to your special Valentine? Cavanaugh Color has a wonderful selection available today at the Monterey Farmers Market.

Thank you for supporting our local family farmers. We truly appreciate you! ❤️

#CavanaughColor #montereyfarmersmarket #farmersmarketfinds #plants #garden

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Why not give living flowers to your special Valentine? Cavanaugh Color has a wonderful selection available today at the Monterey Farmers Market.

Thank you for supporting our local family farmers. We truly appreciate you! ❤️

#CavanaughColor #montereyfarmersmarket #farmersmarketfinds #plants #garden

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Who can resist these cheerful early spring flowering plants at Pacific Rare Nursery? Such a nice reminder that spring is just around the corner.

The farmers market is open today, 8 until noon. Come by!

#PacificRareNursery #plants #flowers #montereyfarmersmarket

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Who can resist these cheerful early spring flowering plants at Pacific Rare Nursery? Such a nice reminder that spring is just around the corner.

The farmers market is open today, 8 until noon. Come by!

#PacificRareNursery #plants #flowers #montereyfarmersmarket

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Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️

It’s a beautiful morning at the Monterey Farmers Market at Del Monte Shopping Center, and love is in the air! The festive energy is contagious, especially at Sweet Elena’s Bakery, where these charming Valentine’s cookies are stealing the show. Whether you’re celebrating with a special someone or sharing the love with friends, a sweet treat is always a good idea. 💌

The market is open until 12 noon today!

#ValentinesDay #SweetElenasBakery #FarmersMarketFinds #SpreadTheLove

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Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️

It’s a beautiful morning at the Monterey Farmers Market at Del Monte Shopping Center, and love is in the air! The festive energy is contagious, especially at Sweet Elena’s Bakery, where these charming Valentine’s cookies are stealing the show. Whether you’re celebrating with a special someone or sharing the love with friends, a sweet treat is always a good idea. 💌

The market is open until 12 noon today!

#ValentinesDay #SweetElenasBakery #FarmersMarketFinds #SpreadTheLove

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Guess who is back at the farmers markets—Rocky Oaks Goat Creamery! And look at this impressive selection of artisan cheeses. Stop by their booth to learn more about them and try a sample.

The Monterey Farmers Market is open today until 12. Hope to see you soon!

#goatcheese #rockyoaksgoatcreamery #montereyfarmersmarket #delmonteshoppingcenter

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Guess who is back at the farmers markets—Rocky Oaks Goat Creamery! And look at this impressive selection of artisan cheeses. Stop by their booth to learn more about them and try a sample.

The Monterey Farmers Market is open today until 12. Hope to see you soon!

#goatcheese #rockyoaksgoatcreamery #montereyfarmersmarket #delmonteshoppingcenter

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Flavorful, ripe, hothouse-grown tomatoes are available at Borba Farms today. We are always in awe of what these farmers grow! Who knew we could enjoy locally grown tomatoes in February? 😎

Come by the Monterey Farmers Market at the Del Monte Shopping Center today. We are open until noon.

#borbafarms #organic #tomatoes #montereyfarmersmarket

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Flavorful, ripe, hothouse-grown tomatoes are available at Borba Farms today. We are always in awe of what these farmers grow! Who knew we could enjoy locally grown tomatoes in February? 😎

Come by the Monterey Farmers Market at the Del Monte Shopping Center today. We are open until noon.

#borbafarms #organic #tomatoes #montereyfarmersmarket

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Locally grown organic apples are still available at Prevedelli Farms. This cool, damp weather begs for an apple pie right out of the oven!

You’ll find them today at the Monterey Farmers Market and tomorrow at the Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College.

#prevedellifarms #apples #montereyfarmersmarket #aptosfarmersmarket

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Locally grown organic apples are still available at Prevedelli Farms. This cool, damp weather begs for an apple pie right out of the oven!

You’ll find them today at the Monterey Farmers Market and tomorrow at the Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College.

#prevedellifarms #apples #montereyfarmersmarket #aptosfarmersmarket

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Got eggs? Yep, we sure do! You’ll find them today at Spade & Plow Organics at the Monterey Farmers Market.

The farmers market is open until noon today. Come out and get some fresh air!

#delmonteshoppingcenter #spadeandploworganics #montereyfarmersmarket #eggs

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Meet Chef Jonny Black, the talented chef-owner of Chez Noir in Carmel and a dedicated supporter and weekly shopper at our Monterey Farmers Market. We’re thrilled to share that he has been named a semi-finalist for Best Chef: California 2025 by the James Beard Awards! A huge congratulations to Chef Black—this recognition is well deserved, and we couldn’t be more proud!

#cheznoir #chefjonnyblack #jamesbeardawards2025 #montereyfarmersmarket #wherechefsshop #Carmel

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