Market Opens with Drive-Thru Option
The Orinda farmers’ market opened its 24th season May 9 as a year-round operation. Each season brings fresh-picked produce, and right now there is plenty of summer’s best waiting for all the new-found home cooks. What’s in season is the guide to meal planning and what’s in season is always at the farmers’ market.
Strawberries are ripe and ready at the market.
June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month and reminds us to celebrate the bounty from local farms. Strawberries, cherries and blueberries are favorites with shoppers looking for a sweet nutritious treat. There are also figs, okra, asparagus, beans, greens, cucumbers and tomatoes ready to fill shopping baskets.
Cherries and apricots seem to disappear as quickly as they appear so enjoy them while they’re in season. Other types of stone fruits like peaches and nectarines are available in white or yellow flesh varieties. Freestone varieties (the ones where the flesh is easily separated from the stone) are great for fresh eating and making pies and jams. Clingstones, where the flesh adheres to the stone, tend to have a firmer flesh and ideal for any “canners” out there.
There’s something new at the market! Pre-ordereed Good to Go boxes full of fresh-picked, in-season produce available at a drive-thru pickup. Details are at http://www.orindafarmersmarket.org or visit the market website at cccfm.org. The number of boxes available each Saturday is limited so get your order in early.
(L-R) Volunteers Sally Hogarty, Todd Trimble, staff member Dorothea Schmuck and volunteer Jill Gelster have been spending Saturday mornings at the Orinda Farmers’ Market helping people who pre-ordered produce boxes. The boxes can be pre-ordered,online at orindafarmersmarket.org for pick up on Saturdays between 10 a.m. and noon.
Grilled Fruit
Peaches and nectarines are perfect for the grill. Cut in half, remove the stone and fill cavity with 1 teaspoon butter, 2 teaspoons brown sugar and cinnamon to taste. Place skin side down on medium hot grill to heat through and treat yourself to one of the juiciest, sweetest desserts ever.
The Orinda farmers’ market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Orinda Way in Orinda Village. More information is available at www.cccfm.org, facebook.com/OrindaFarmersMarket and Instagram@OrindaFarmersMarket.
Get apricots while they last at the market.
