Napa cabbage is in season and – as cabbage goes – is one of the most flavorful, nutrient-dense varieties out there. Something Good Organics has the first available, and I grabbed some for myself and my clients. This cabbage, also called Chinese cabbage, is traditionally used in kimchi, but is also an incredible vehicle for […]

I love discovering new finds at the farmers market and the Guatemalan blue squash is a new varietal for me. Roots Organic Farm has some of the first seasonal squashes and I am so excited to take this one back to the kitchen and create a recipe for you. This rare heirloom variety of winter […]

In a major collaborative effort to bring its work in marine conservation to our town, Project Zero has appointed MICHELIN Chef Massimo Falsini as an Ambassador. Massimo is the Chef-Partner of Caruso’s Restaurant at the Rosewood Miramar Beach. He has proven to be a dedicated environmentalist, taking that commitment into his kitchens with sustainable sourcing […]

The first time I had a persimmon was seven years ago upon moving to Santa Barbara. There are two main types found here, the Fuyu and the Hachiyas. Avila and Sons Farms has some of the first Fuyus in the Farmers Market. The Fuyu is considered a non-astringent persimmon, one that can be eaten hard […]

Her Produce has some green and red okra at the farmers market right now and let me tell you, if you haven’t tried okra before go and grab some of this delicious fruit. That’s right – it’s technically a fruit as it is a flowering plant with edible seed pods. Grown mainly in warm climates, […]

The sun has been playing hide and seek with us lately. Even with the little we have had, however, the Farmers’ Market shows all the signs of Summer! Moua Family Farm has one of my daughters and my favorite snacks, the Kirby cucumber. This little crunchy fruit, yep not a vegetable, is full of beneficial […]

The sweet onion, part of the allium family and related to the leek, garlic, and shallots, is a nutritious and versatile vegetable that boasts an array of vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds. Something Good Organics has some lovely ones right now that look as if they were just pulled from the rich soil. The onion […]

I remember when I first moved to Santa Barbara and I saw the exquisite flower of the passion fruit vine, I was mesmerized. This tropical vine that thrives in our Central Coast climate can be found on a leisurely walk through your neighborhood, and at the delightful Frecker Farms stand in the farmers market. The thick-skinned, […]

The sun shone bright on a recent weekday afternoon, and a soft sea breeze rolled through. The handful of outdoor tables at the Veranda cottage at the San Ysidro Ranch, nicely spread out, were slowly filling up. Lunch was being doled out in synchronized fashion, and by a welcoming staff. The latest foodie offering at […]

Nasturtium, the beautiful red, yellow, and orange flower that we get to witness bloom wild every April and May here on the Central Coast, is an herbaceous plant that has been used in traditional medicinal practices since the early 1500s. Ojai Microgreens has some featured at the farmers market right now and they make a […]