Edible Paradise :: Seasonal Cooking

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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If you’ve ever wandered through a farmers market in late fall or winter, chances are you’ve spotted the kabocha squash — sometimes called the “Japanese pumpkin.” With its squat, round shape, deep green skin, and sunshine-bright flesh, this little powerhouse has a way of catching the eye. But it’s not just beautiful — it’s one...
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Quince is a fruit with stories to tell. Long before apples became the familiar symbol of temptation, quince was believed to be the real “forbidden fruit” of the Garden of Eden. In Greek mythology, it was linked to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and many believe the “golden apple” Paris gave her was actually a...
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Pear and blue cheese salad on porcelain plate on rustic wooden table, close-up. Pear salad made from green salad leaves, rocket salad, slices of fresh pears, pieces of blue cheese, walnuts and honey
This elegant pear salad combines sweet ripe pears, tangy blue cheese, and crunchy walnuts with a fragrant walnut oil vinaigrette. Featuring organic walnut oil from Manzanita Manor Organics, it’s a fresh, heart-healthy fall favorite—perfect for holiday meals or cozy seasonal dinners.
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Basket full of tart crabapples
Crabapples remind me of the “Lemon Tree” folk song by Peter, Paul, and Mary. For those too young to remember, the lyrics went — “Lemon tree, very pretty, and the lemon flower is sweet But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.”   The same could be said for crabapples. Sometimes called...
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Standing in front of a vast display of pears can be overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to remember which variety is best for your recipe. We hope this guide will make your selection easier! The key to picking the perfect pear lies in your personal preferences and the dish you’re planning to create. Pears come...
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Golden brown crusty sourdough bread loaf
Sourdough may be in the spotlight these days, but don’t be fooled — it’s no passing trend. This rustic, tangy loaf is one of the oldest bread traditions in the world. Long before store-bought yeast existed, bakers relied on “starters” made with wild yeast and friendly bacteria in the air and grain to leaven their...
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Good morning from the Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College! It’s a chilly one today, so bundle up and come say hello. 🥶

Prevedelli’s Farms local organic apples are a weekly staple—crisp, juicy, and full of flavor. Prefer them tart? Check. Sweet? Check. And while we’ll never say no to apple pie 🤭, apples shine just as beautifully in savory dishes, like braised red cabbage.

One of our favorites this time of year is an Apple, Onion, and Gorgonzola Quiche—perfect for a cozy brunch or easy dinner. You’ll find this recipe (and more) on our companion site, Edible Paradise.

The farmers market is open until noon. 

#prevedellifarms #edibleparadise #aptosfarmersmarket #apples

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✨ New at the Aptos Farmers Market! ✨

We’re excited to share something delicious from Bay Living Culinary. Chef Jody—whose cooking many of you already love—has launched Entrées of the Week: fresh, ready-to-heat-and-serve meals designed to generously serve two people.

Each week’s entrées are crafted with seasonal ingredients sourced right from the farmers market, showcasing the best local flavors in comforting, beautifully prepared dishes. It’s an easy way to bring farmers-market goodness straight to your table—no prep required.

🧑‍🍳 How to order:

✔️ Place your order at the Bay Living Culinary booth at the Aptos Farmers Market for the following week

✔️ Or call/text 831-726-6855 to order directly

Come say hello, meet Chef Jody, and treat yourself to a weeknight (or weekend!) meal that feels special, local, and made with care.

#baylivingculinary #aptosfarmersmarket #cabrillocollege

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There’s nothing like a hot cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich at the farmers market—especially on a rainy morning.

Hidden Fortress Coffee has you covered with a tempting lineup of breakfast favorites, from avocado toast and lox with cream cheese to simple cheese or jam on toast, plus a selection of hearty breakfast sandwiches for bigger appetites.

The Aptos Farmers Market is open until noon today—come warm up and treat yourself!

#aptosfarmersmarket #hiddenfortresscoffee #aptosia

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Rain or shine, our Aptos Farmers Market community always shows up! ❤️

We’re so grateful for customers who come out to support our hardworking farmers—rain boots and all! And we love that Pinnacle even provides a tent so shoppers can line up comfortably.

The Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College is open until noon today. Grab your raincoat and umbrella and come enjoy a little rainy day market fun with us.

#Pinnacle #philfosterranches #aptosfarmersmarket #aptosia

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Does your home feel a little bare after putting away the holiday décor? We have a beautiful solution!

Stop by Bay Area Orchids and treat yourself to a few flowering orchids—an instant lift for any room. We love grouping several together in a low bowl or terrine for a centerpiece that’s elegant, modern, and long-lasting.

Quick care tip: Orchids thrive in bright, indirect light and prefer to dry slightly between waterings—no soggy roots needed.

Orchids bring color, life, and calm to the winter months—and with care, they will bloom again!

Visit Bay Area Orchids at the Monterey Farmers Market today. We’re open until noon!

#bayareaorchids #montereyfarmersmarket #orchidcare #winterblooms

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Stock up today at Clara’s Eggs—and be sure to grab some of the fresh duck eggs! We’ve been singing their praises for years, especially for baking.

Duck eggs are a baker’s secret weapon. Their larger yolks and higher fat and protein content create loftier cakes, richer crumb, silkier custards, and beautifully structured pastries. They also lend a deeper golden color and more consistent emulsification—perfect for butter cakes, pâte à choux, brioche, and cookies.

Pro tip: When baking, one duck egg can replace one large chicken egg for noticeably richer results.

Find Clara’s Eggs at the farmers market today and bake something extraordinary. 

#claraseggs #bakersofinstagram #duckeggs #farmersmarketbaking #bakerssecret

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There’s nothing quite like biting into a crisp, juicy apple from Prevedelli Farms. These local, organically grown apples are legendary! Whether you are snacking on them or cooking with them, you’ll never be disappointed in the flavor. 

The Monterey Farmers Market at the Del Monte Shopping Center is open today until noon.

#prevedellifarms #montereyfarmersmarket #organic #localapples

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

Now this is the way to start the new year. Borba Farms has cracked the magic code—organic hothouse tomatoes and peppers that look and taste like peak-of-summer beauties. And yes… it’s January!

California farmers never fail to impress us.

The market is open until noon today. Come shake off the holiday sluggishness, get some fresh air, and stock up on something truly special.

#montereyfarmersmarket #delmonteshoppingcenter #borbafarms #californiagrown #organicfarmers

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🍓 Strawberry season… in December? Yes, please! 🍓

Can you believe these gorgeous, greenhouse-grown strawberries—in December? That’s right! Ichigo Farms is back at the Monterey Farmers Market at the Del Monte Shopping Center, bringing beautifully ripe, flavorful strawberries that feel like a little holiday miracle.

Enjoy them by the handful, spooned over morning granola, or dipped in chocolate for an extra-special treat. Fresh, vibrant, and so very welcome this time of year.

Welcome back, Ichigo Farms!

The Monterey Farmers Market is open today until noon. Bundle up and come see us!

And good news for our Aptos Farmers Market customers—Ichigo Farms will be at the Saturday market next week! 

#ichigofarms #delmonteshoppingcenter #strawberries #californiagrown #montereyfarmersmarket

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✨ 🎄✨ Meet the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree — proudly scraggly, perfectly imperfect, and full of heart.

Coastal Paradise Nursery has this iconic little tree available at the Aptos Farmers Market, reminding us that the holidays don’t have to be big, shiny, or cookie-cutter to be full of joy. 

A symbol of celebrating what’s different, going back to basics, and appreciating the little things that matter most. Sometimes the most lovable tree is the one that stands out — not the one that blends in.

Find yours at the market this morning and give this humble holiday classic a good home! 

The Aptos Farmers Market at Cabrillo College is open until noon. 

#aptosfarmersmarket #charliebrownchristmastree #coastalparadise

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🎺 Sound the fanfare—Olio Nuovo has arrived at Belle Farms!

Just in time for the season, Belle Farms’ new-harvest, first-press Olio Nuovo is here—and it’s something truly special. Made from freshly harvested olives and pressed immediately, Olio Nuovo is vibrant, grassy, and boldly aromatic, with a peppery finish that olive oil lovers wait all year for. It’s the freshest expression of olive oil you can taste—available only for a short window each year.

If you’re looking for a perfect gift for someone who loves to cook, this is it. Belle Farms produces gold-medal, award-winning extra virgin olive oil that consistently sets the standard, and this new harvest is exceptional.

Also just in: their fresh-pressed lemon-infused extra virgin olive oil—bright, fragrant, and made with whole lemons pressed together with the olives.

Limited quantities available.

The Monterey Farmers Market at the Del Monte Shopping Center is open until 12.

#BelleFarms #montereyfarmersmarket #olionuovo #olionuovo2025 #oliveoil

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