Farmer’s Market Find: Cucumbers

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This week I went to three different Farmer’s Market in the city! On Thursday I went to the grand opening of Mission’s Community Market. I couldn’t resist and bought a head of lettuce from Blue House Farm ($1.50), stone fruit from Arata Farms ($2), 2 squash blossoms from Tomatero Farms ($.50), and mint from Happy Boy Farms ($1.50), even though I wasn’t headed straight home.
A very lively FM in the Mission, offering produce, entertainment, youth mural project, and artisanal goods

I stopped by the Ferry Plaza FM on Saturday because I wanted to check out the Epicurious booth and grab something delicious to take to the Slow Food San Francisco picnic. I was greeted by bright colors popping from every booth- peppers, plouts, plums, nectarines, raspberries, kale, mint, marigolds- oh it was hard to not buy anything! I did buy sprouted lentils, and a delicious roasted beets and coriander yogurt sandwich and 1/4 rotisserie chicken from Il Cane Roso and headed to South Park for the picnic.

It was a beautiful day on the Embarcadero.

 

I returned to my usual FM at Fort Mason today to get my weekly groceries. Perfect as always, except there was no glimmer of the sun today. I was glad to see the familiar faces of the farmers and hot food vendors. I splurged and bought farmstead “Foggy Morning” cheese from Nicasio Valley ($7), to stuff in the squash blossoms I bought on Thursday. Also, the cheese is light and a great substitute for ricotta and feta. I was amazed to see the varieties of cucumbers that I bought all three kinds from Hamadas Farms. They also had the most plumpest, juiciest peaches and melons that I could not resist ($7.50). I also bought a lot of tomatoes, but Satish and I appreciate seasonal tomatoes! Maybe, I will make an Indian curry out of them. Or maybe, I will just roast them in the oven with salt and pepper. Or eat them with the farmstead cheese.

 

Enjoying the sandwich from Il Cane Roso

Other purchases:
Fingerling potatoes, basil, heirloom tomatoes, and baby spinach ($9.50)- Happy Boy Farms
Cherry tomatoes and one large beefsteak tomato ($2.00)- ?
Strawberries and a variety of zucchini ($5.50)- Serendipity Farm
Chard, kale, and purple bell peppers ($7.00) – Rio Parras Organics
Broccoli, red onion, garlic, and tomatoes on the vine ($5.50)- Swank Farm
A dozen large, fresh eggs- $4.50
Sandwich buns ($2.00)- Bakers of Paris

I spent $50.50 on this and much more! We are dining in every night this week and having a friend or two over for a meal. 🙂

Trifecta Cucumber Salad

I was really hungry after a pleasant time at the Farmer’s Market. I wanted something quick, healthy and filling. I decided to try out the different cucumbers I bought by making a simple salad. I had bought a Lemon, Armenian, and “Normal” cucumber.

1. Wash and dice or cube 1/3 cup of cucumbers
2. Wash and dice or cube ripe 1/3 cup of tomatoes (any variety)
3. Wash, pat dry, and roughly chop 1/4 cup mint

 

4. Toss all ingredients together in a mixing bowl. 5. Add 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Toss well.
6. Transfer salad to a serving plate 7. crumble 1 tablespoon of Ricotta/Feta/Goat Cheese on top of the salad.
Cucumbers and mint are “cooling” foods, perfect foods for the summer.
Tomatoes contain Lycopene-an antioxidant that fights cancerous cell formation.

This salad can easily be made with one or many varieties of cucumbers and tomatoes; it’s all a matter of preference and what you have on hand. On a hot day, chill the tomatoes and cucumbers in the fridge before tossing in the mint and lemon juice.

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Farmer’s Market Find

Sunday, July 4, 2010

The Golden Gate Bridge is under there!

Purchased: mixed greens, lettuce gems, cherry tomatoes, lemon cucumber, summer squash, zucchini, cilantro, and thyme

I really like Happy Boy Farms

Purchased rainbow chard and Kale from Rio De Parros Organics

Replacing Greens

Spent a total of $46.60 and it's more than enough to last us until next Sunday!

I bought enough vegetables and fruit to last us over a week. On Wednesday, I will pick up a couple of chicken breasts or fresh fish. (We don't eat meat on Mon & Tues)

Maybe we should have friends over for dinner this week?

Other Purchases (not pictured):
Broccoli
Corn
Free range, antibiotic free ½ dozen eggs
French Baguette
Green bell peppers
Heirloom Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Nectarines
Pea Greens
Peaches
Plums
Roma tomatoes
Strawberries

Fort Mason’s Farmers Market

Last Sunday, June 6th, the Fort Mason Center Farmers’ Market opened with the support of thousands of San Francisco residents including the Honorable Willie Brown, and Senator Mark Leno. It was a perfect San Francisco day for the grand opening- … Continue reading

The Weekender

If you are in San Francisco this weekend, check out these noteworthy food and fitness events!
Friday May 7 • Il Cane Rosso • 5-8 p.m.
Enjoy a three-course dinner on the Embarcadero for $25 at Il Cane Rosso. Local, seasonal ingredients are featured and are served family-style at communal tables. http://canerossosf.com/

Embarcadero View

Saturday May 8 • Boot Camp • 9-10 a.m.
If you’re committed to getting in shape and want inspired training, try out an outdoor boot camp class offered by JCCSF. You do not need to be a JCCSF member and the first class is free. Call
415-292-1299, ext. 2822 for more information.
http://www.jccsf.org/programs/fitness-group-exercise/jccsf-outdoor-boot-camp/
Saturday May 8 • Culinary Walking Tours of San Francisco • 10-1 p.m.
Three hours of local food, local culture and local flavor! Choose from one of three neighborhoods to tour and taste.
http://www.foodieadventures.com/San_Francisco_Tours___Chris_Milanos_Foodie_Adventures!_-_%7BFood_Tours,_Travel_%26_TV%7D_-_Foodie_Walking_Tours_of_San_Francisco.html

North Beach

Sunday May 9 • Divisadero Farmer’s Market • 10-2 p.m.
Enjoy a pastry from Bakers of Paris and a freshly squeezed juice from Juicey Lucy’s, while picking out the perfect blooms for your mom. Don’t forget to get a box of chocolates from Stickler Chocolates! Then treat your mom to a classic brunch in Magic Flute’s beautiful garden.
http://www.pcfma.com/market_home.php?market_id=63
http://magicfluteristorante.com/

Juicey Lucy at Divisadero Farmer's Market

Sunday May 9 • Mother’s Day Brunch Cooking Class• 10:30-1 p.m.
Learn to whip up a gourmet brunch with your mom in a hands-on cooking class taught by Parties That Cook, in the picturesque Ferry Building. Once the cooking is over, enjoy a fantastic brunch buffet with Mom. All while sipping mimosas, of course!
http://www.partiesthatcook.com/events/san-francisco-bay-area-cooking-classes/mothers-day-brunch-cooking-class-san-francisco/

Ferry Building