The Santa Monica farmers market is one of the largest in California, stretching for three blocks along Arizona Avenue on Saturday, with a fourth block on perpendicular 2nd Street added on Wednesdays. The middle block in the market is devoted entirely to certified organic farmers.

Helena Apricot, Santa Rosa Plum, Pluot, Nectarine 

The nectarines were meaty and intense but not too sweet. I suspect this would be a good variety to dry. The nectarines were superbly tangy and sweet. The plums and pluots? Okay but not great.

Price: $3/lb.

Romano Beans, Chinese Eggplant, Persian Cucumbers

It's good to see eggplant back. Time to return to some of these seven recipes, including the Italian pickled eggplant, which last summer became a favorite item in my house..

Price: $2.75/lb. for eggplant
$1.50/lb. for cucumbers

 Potato Varieties including (left to right) King Edward, Pee Wee Fingerling (top), 
All Blue and Russian Banana

Price: $1/lb. for King Edward
$1.50/lb. for all blue and Russian banana
$3.50/lb. for pee wees

Basil and Tomatoes

Summer is pesto season in my house. Bunches of basil are one of the best bargains in terms of price in farmers markets. Half this amount would cost three times as much in a supermarket, and it would be a day or two away from going bad. I never return from a summertime farmers marout a bunch or two of basil, much of which I turn into pesto to eat right away or freeze. Here are six recipes that call for lots of basil, including my recipe for pesto. 

Price: $1/bunch of basil
$2.50/lb. for tomatoes

Long beans and Gai Lon (Chinese broccoli)

Price: $1/bunch

Four lettuce varieties including butterhead (far left) and red romain (far left)

Price: $1.50/head

Avocados

Price: $1 for three small ones