I was passing through Goleta this morning on Highway 101, bound for a visit with my daughter in Santa Cruz, and figured this would be a good place to pick up a house gift. The dramatic stalk of brussel sprouts and purple cauliflower fit the bill.

This, like all of the markets run by the Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Market Association, is always well worth a visit. The diversity of offerings never ceases to amaze me. 

I was free to load up last time I was at this market, in September 2006, because I was passing through on a day trip back then. Now, I'm off to the Bay Area and on to New York in a few days, and can't take more than the house gifts for my daughter and some fruit for the road.

purple cauliflower and brussel sprouts

satsumas and kiwi fruit

strawberries