Vista farmers market under welcomed rainy skies

subtropical fruit in charred stand of trees near Fallbrook that had shaded several dozen modest homes

Just a few weeks ago, tens of thousands of acres here in northern San Diego County were swept by wind-driven flames. A charcoal smell still hangs heavy in the air in the charred patches left behind.

Helpfully, last night, a rainstorm drenched this hilly region -- too late, but eagerly welcomed, as long as it doesn't cause too much flooding. The farmers I overheard talking about the rain at this market and another, later in the morning, in Temecula, were mentioning totals of 3 and 4 inches. A grower in Temecula said that was more than she got all last year. 

This Saturday farmers market in Vista, which I last reported on in March 2002, has long been my favorite place to get subtropical fruit. The hilly region surrounding this town is blessed with countless valleys and sunny pockets in hillsides that have subtropical microclimates. Generations of adventurous growers with farm and orchards in the region have studied comparable climes, for instance the Andean highlands in Colombia and Ecuador, looking for new crops to grow here. There are dozens of exotic varieties to choose from. The fruits of their decades of experimentation are always on display at this farmers market, as well as others in San Diego County, such as the market in the Hillcrest neighborhood that I visited in January 2006.

Most of the subtropical fruit I picked up today was grown by Ben Poirier, of Ben's Subtropicals, near Fallbrook. He won't have cherimoyas for another week, however, so the cherimoya was from another of the several growers who had them today. We're just now getting into cherimoya season, and the primetime for many other subtropicals.

Sapotes and cherimoyas are among my favorites. Slices of carambola, also known as star fruit, will add one more conversation piece to a subtropical fruit salad. The intensively sweet, custardy sapotes and cherimoyas need an acidic counterpoint in a fruit salad. Slices of oozing blood orange fit the bill in spring. In other seasons, any available citrus fruit will do, and you can add extra lemon or lime to taste. 

Price: $3/Buddha's hand
$1.50/lb. hachiya persimmons
$.89/lb. for fuyu persimmons
$3.50/lb. for cherimoyas
$.25/each feijoas and guavas
$3/lb. Surinam cherries

Vista farmers market purchases at Lake Elsinore overlook