SEASONAL CHEF
Finding and using locally produced food


Donvier 1-Quart Ice Cream Maker
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The Produce Bible: Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs & Nuts

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Market Report
Santa Monica, Calif.
Saturday, July 26, 2003

The Market:
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Santa Monica, Calif.
Arizona & 3rd Street
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Market Notes:
Ten days ago, an elderly gentleman lost control of his car and plowed through two and half blocks of this farmers market -- my home market. Ten market patrons were killed and 69 were injured. 

I wasn't there on the Wednesday of the tragic accident, and haven't been back since, until today.  The market is still grieving.  Black spots on the pavement now cover the white paint markings that showed where the bodies fell as the car plowed through more than two blocks of the market. Flowers piled high at the memorial in the middle of the market are still fresh.  The accident is the subject of much of the chatter in the market today.  And the farmers are unusually somber.  No wonder. It happened before their eyes.  They would have recognized many of the victims -- most of whom were regular patrons of the market.

Those who died were members of the family of farmers market shoppers.  Here are their names. May they rest in peace.

lBrendon Esfahani, 7 months
lGloria Olivera Gonzalez, 35
lMolok Ghoulian, 62
lMovsha Hoffman, 78
lDiana Y. McCarthy, 41
lKevin McCarthy, 50
lLynne Ann Weaver, 47
lCindy Palacios Valladares 3
lTheresa Breglia, 50
lLeroy Lattier, 55


Santa Monica farmers market 
tent-tops are visible beyond 
the car rooftops


Market-Goer:
Mark Thompson, publisher of this Web site

 

Santa Monica farmers market memorial 
to victims of July16 accident that took 10 lives


What I Bought:

Scallions (behind), tomatillos, 
cippollini onions, Anaheim peppers

These onions, with their distinctive flattened shape, are reputed to be among the best onions for baking.  They live up to their reputation, in my opinion. So I didn't pass the chance to buy a bunch today when I found them at $2.50 a pound, cheaper than I've seen them in the past.

.Price: cippollini onions: $2.50/lb.


Basil (back to front), Chinese eggplant, Japanese eggplant

Basil is one of the best bargains in the market this time of year, in my book. I turn it into pesto, eat a lot of it and freeze the rest. 

Price: basil: $1/bunch
eggplant: $2/lb.


Five varieties of plums, nectarines and peaches.

Price: stone fruit: $2-$2.50/lb.

 

Heirloom tomates

I'm swamped with backyard tomatoes right now.  But I don't have any yellow ones.  So I buy these, to brighten my tomato salads, salsas and gazpachos. 

Price: $3/lb.


Copyright 2003 Seasonal Chef