Homepage | Edible Paradise

Healthy Kale

Kale, the queen of the greens, is loaded with vitamins A, C, and K, along with vitamin E (antioxidant), calcium, phytonutrients, and helps lower cholesterol — not only is it one of the healthiest vegetables on the planet, it tastes great in salads, braises, soups and even smoothies. Here are some tips for selecting, storing and prepping winter greens from our market chef.

A Nutritional Powerhouse

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

Cabbage

While cabbage is available year round in our area, it’s especially appreciated in early spring for making homemade sauerkraut! It’s a great beginner’s project. Rich in probiotics, sauerkraut promotes gut health by introducing beneficial bacteria to the digestive system, aiding in digestion and enhancing nutrient absorption.

TIME TO MAKE SAUERKRAUT

Beets

Both red and gold beets are abundant in essential nutrients that offer a myriad of health benefits. They are delicious roasted, steamed, or raw. Beets can be used in savory or sweet dishes lending their rich, earthy flavor to salads, soups, pickles, and vegetable medleys. Click on the link below for our favorite recipes!

A VERSATILE VEGGIE PACKED WITH ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS

Asparagus

Without a doubt, asparagus is one of the harbingers of spring at the farmers’ markets. And these nutritious spears can be cooked in numerous ways — grilled, roasted, steamed, or sauteed. Add them to quiches, pasta or salads, or enjoy them as an appetizer.

Harbinger of Spring

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!

{ Continue Reading } →

Meyer Lemons — A California Favorite

The Meyer lemon owes its presence in the U.S. to a USDA agricultural explorer named Frank Meyer, who discovered it in 1908 during one of his expeditions to Asia to collect new plant species. Among the 2,500 plants he introduced to the U.S. was the unusual thin-skinned, lemon-mandarin orange cross, which became the Meyer lemon,...

Gifts From Your Kitchen

Looking for unique holiday gift ideas for friends and family? You might not need to look any further than your pantry to make gifts from your kitchen! Right now, farmers’ markets are brimming with seasonal goodies like dried fruits and nuts—perfect for creating delectable homemade treats. Late fall fruits like apples and persimmons are ideal...

How to Make Hot Honey

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...

Our Thanksgiving Planning Guide: Recipes, Tips, and Ready-Made Delights for a Memorable Feast

Thanksgiving is a time to gather, share gratitude, and indulge in a memorable feast. Whether you’re planning a classic Thanksgiving spread for family or a cozy Friendsgiving with close friends, our farmers market has everything you need to make it memorable. From seasonal favorites like apple and pecan pies (including a gluten-free pie crust option)...

Freshly harvested root vegetables, including turnips and rutabagas, placed on a rustic wooden cutting board in a cozy kitchen setting.

Turnips vs. Rutabagas: What’s the Difference?

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...

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...

1 2 3 4 … 10

We're On Instagram

There’s nothing like spring flowers to brighten your day! Find stunning cut flower bouquets and vibrant potted blooms at the Carmel Farmers Market — perfect for adding a splash of color to your home or gifting someone special. Don’t forget to pick up a bouquet for your mama—Mother’s Day is this Sunday!

The Carmel Farmers Market at The Barnyard is open today until 1 pm. Come join us!

#carmelfarmersmarket #thebarnyardcarmel #flowers #mothersday #floral #homedecor

5 0

There’s nothing like spring flowers to brighten your day! Find stunning cut flower bouquets and vibrant potted blooms at the Carmel Farmers Market — perfect for adding a splash of color to your home or gifting someone special. Don’t forget to pick up a bouquet for your mama—Mother’s Day is this Sunday!

The Carmel Farmers Market at The Barnyard is open today until 1 pm. Come join us!

#carmelfarmersmarket #thebarnyardcarmel #flowers #mothersday #floral #homedecor

5 0

Stock up on local, California grown avocados at the Carmel Farmers Market today.

Creamy, delicious, and packed with nutrients — avocados are a powerhouse of heart-healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins. They help support healthy cholesterol levels, keep you feeling full, and add a boost of antioxidants with every bite.

#carmelfarmersmarket #californiagrown #cagrown #avocados #healthy #farmersmarket #carmel #thebarnyardcarmel

3 0

Stock up on local, California grown avocados at the Carmel Farmers Market today.

Creamy, delicious, and packed with nutrients — avocados are a powerhouse of heart-healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins. They help support healthy cholesterol levels, keep you feeling full, and add a boost of antioxidants with every bite.

#carmelfarmersmarket #californiagrown #cagrown #avocados #healthy #farmersmarket #carmel #thebarnyardcarmel

3 0

Opening day at the Carmel Farmers Market is bursting with fresh-picked chard, kale, and all your favorite leafy greens. Come stock up on the season’s best, fresh-from-the-farm produce and taste the difference local makes. See you at the market! We are open until 1.

#farmersmarket #blueheronfarms #leafygreens #carmelfarmersmarket #carmel

5 0

5 0

Another great market find this morning—back at the farmers market is Triple Delight Blueberries. 🫐 These berries are plump and sweet and absolutely delicious! They are perfect for muffins, topping your granola and yogurt, add to a spring salad, or just snacking. And don’t miss their fabulous Blueberry sauce topping—perfect for waffles, pancakes, French toast or ice cream!

For recipe ideas, visit our companion website at www.edibleparadise.com for seasonal recipes!

The Carmel Farmers Market will be open until 1pm.

#tripledelightblueberries #tdberries #tdberriesarethebest #Carmel #visitcarmel #farmersmarket #blueberries #thebarnyard

7 0

Another great market find this morning—back at the farmers market is Triple Delight Blueberries. 🫐 These berries are plump and sweet and absolutely delicious! They are perfect for muffins, topping your granola and yogurt, add to a spring salad, or just snacking. And don’t miss their fabulous Blueberry sauce topping—perfect for waffles, pancakes, French toast or ice cream!

For recipe ideas, visit our companion website at www.edibleparadise.com for seasonal recipes!

The Carmel Farmers Market will be open until 1pm.

#tripledelightblueberries #tdberries #tdberriesarethebest #Carmel #visitcarmel #farmersmarket #blueberries #thebarnyard

7 0

Good morning from the Carmel Farmers Market at The Barnyard! Opening day is always exciting — first up — P&K Farms legendary strawberries! 🍓 If you see a line, don’t worry — these berries are worth the wait! Shop early since they sell out quickly.

The farmers market will be open until 1 pm. Come join us!

20 0

20 0

CARMEL FARMERS MARKET OPENING DAY!

Please join us for Carmel Farmers Market opening day at The Barnyard on Tuesday, May 6. The farmers market is open from 9am until 1 pm.

For directions or more info, please visit our website at www.montereybayfarmers.org.

#carmelfarmersmarket #thebarnyard #farmersmarket

10 0

10 0

Another market find today: purple Beauregarde snow peas from Spade & Plow Organics! Tender, crisp, and packed with flavor — perfect for snacking, stir-fries, or adding a pop of color to your plate.

Beauregarde snow peas are specially bred to retain their vibrant purple color when cooked. These peas are high in anthocyanins—natural pigments that not only give them their striking hue but also contribute to their antioxidant properties. Unlike some other purple vegetables that may lose their color during cooking, Beauregarde snow peas maintain their vivid purple shade even after blanching or sautéing, making them a visually appealing addition to any dish.

#spadeandploworganics #montereyfarmersmarket #beauregardesnowpea #organic

10 0

Another market find today: purple Beauregarde snow peas from Spade & Plow Organics! Tender, crisp, and packed with flavor — perfect for snacking, stir-fries, or adding a pop of color to your plate.

Beauregarde snow peas are specially bred to retain their vibrant purple color when cooked. These peas are high in anthocyanins—natural pigments that not only give them their striking hue but also contribute to their antioxidant properties. Unlike some other purple vegetables that may lose their color during cooking, Beauregarde snow peas maintain their vivid purple shade even after blanching or sautéing, making them a visually appealing addition to any dish.

#spadeandploworganics #montereyfarmersmarket #beauregardesnowpea #organic

10 0

You’ll always discover something new and delicious at Chef Jody’s booth Bay Living Culinary including simmer sauces, pot pies, salads and condiments—all the makings for a quick lunch or dinner.

#montereyfarmersmarket #delmonteshoppingcenter #baylivingculinary

18 0

You’ll always discover something new and delicious at Chef Jody’s booth Bay Living Culinary including simmer sauces, pot pies, salads and condiments—all the makings for a quick lunch or dinner.

#montereyfarmersmarket #delmonteshoppingcenter #baylivingculinary

18 0

Spring flowers are everywhere today at the farmers market—plants, cut flowers, bouquets—take your pick!

The Monterey Farmers Market at the Del Monte Shopping Center is open today until 12. Come on by — lots of free parking, easy access, and lots of smiles.

#montereyfarmersmarket #flowers #pottedplants #cutflowers #farmersmarket

10 0

Spring flowers are everywhere today at the farmers market—plants, cut flowers, bouquets—take your pick!

The Monterey Farmers Market at the Del Monte Shopping Center is open today until 12. Come on by — lots of free parking, easy access, and lots of smiles.

#montereyfarmersmarket #flowers #pottedplants #cutflowers #farmersmarket

10 0

Market find! First of the season stone fruit has arrived! You’ll find these sweet beauties at Schletewitz Family Farms this weekend at the farmers markets.

#schletewitzfamilyfarms #montereyfarmersmarket #apricots #apriums #stonefruit

21 0

Market find! First of the season stone fruit has arrived! You’ll find these sweet beauties at Schletewitz Family Farms this weekend at the farmers markets.

#schletewitzfamilyfarms #montereyfarmersmarket #apricots #apriums #stonefruit

21 0

Good morning from the Monterey Farmers Market at the Del Monte Shopping Center!

Fava bean season is here! Stop by Minazzoli Farms this weekend and pick up these fresh, tender pods — perfect for spring salads, pasta, or simply sautéed with olive oil and lemon.

The market is open until noon—grab your shopping bags and we’ll see you soon.

#minazzolifarms #delmonteshoppingcenter #favabeans #monterey #farmersmarket

10 1

Good morning from the Monterey Farmers Market at the Del Monte Shopping Center!

Fava bean season is here! Stop by Minazzoli Farms this weekend and pick up these fresh, tender pods — perfect for spring salads, pasta, or simply sautéed with olive oil and lemon.

The market is open until noon—grab your shopping bags and we’ll see you soon.

#minazzolifarms #delmonteshoppingcenter #favabeans #monterey #farmersmarket

10 1

The wait is over — the Carmel Farmers Market is back for the season! Join us every Tuesday starting May 6 at The Barnyard from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. for fresh, local produce, artisan goods, and coastal community vibes.

Mark your calendars, bring your market bags, and come enjoy the best of spring!

Location: The Barnyard Shopping Village, Carmel

#carmelfarmersmarket #TheBarnyard #farmfresh #montereybaycertifiedfarmersmarkets #Carmel #farmersmarkets

10 0