Cherries, Berries and Cheese
Farmers’ markets give us the opportunity to be as simple or creative as we like. Perhaps a basket of strawberries to nibble on comes to mind or a handful of blueberries to add to yogurt. I like to be a little inventive and use a mixture of stone fruits to make a crisp or cherries to create the famous French custard dessert called clafoutis.
A new-found favorite is pairing cheese with the plentiful fruits of summer. Achadinha Cheese Company comes to the Orinda Farmers’ Market to offer farmstead-style cheeses made from fresh cow and goat milk. The family-operated ranch in Petaluma began three generations ago in the city of Achadinha, Portugal.
The Mellow Yellow curd and Broncha (cheddar-like cheese with an edible rind) are outstanding served on a cheese board with blackberries and cherries. The Bavarian Cream Kefir cheese is the consistency of Greek yogurt and is perfect for dipping or topping fruits.
A few more cheesy ideas for cheese curds include using them in grilled cheese, fresh green or pasta salads or as a snack.
Cherries are one of the biggest draws for farmers’ market shoppers. They’re naturally delicious and come with many health benefits, including being a source of melatonin (to promote overall improved sleep) and antioxidants (to reduce the risk of heart disease). Don’t miss out. The California cherry season is short and sweet, fading by the end of June.
As with many fruits, you have a variety of choices. Deep red, sweet Bing cherries tend to take center stage, but I have others on my shopping list. Brooks are a large, firm red cherry. Coral Champagne are large, red and very sweet and sometimes better-tasting than Bings.
Royal Tiogas are very sweet and aromatic. If you’re looking for light-fleshed cherries, the Rainier arrives just after Bings. The delicate sweet flavor is relished by many, but their soft flesh is susceptible to easy bruising.
Blackberries arrived at the market a few months ago and continue to improve in flavor as the weather warms. Baskets of dark-colored berries lined up neatly on the table are very tempting, and the color also tells us the fruit is high in antioxidants.
Choose firm, plump, dry berries with a deep color. If the hulls are still attached, the berries were picked too early and flavor is jeopardized.
Nutrient-rich and delicious, blueberries are a must for my shopping basket. The natural bloom on the berry looks like a dusting of powder and is my clue to freshness. Perfect for making jam, pies, sauces, muffins or just a quick snack.
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 cccfm.org, facebook.com/OrindaFarmersMarket and Instagram @OrindaFarmersMarket or call the market hotline at
925.322.6228.
It’s all about the cheese for Jared Kelly and his son J.J. Stop by the Achadinha Cheese stand to check out some intriguing curd flavors, like Herbie Curd or Hot Hilda.
