apples

With the recent Autumnal Equinox, summer has officially said her goodbyes and autumn has arrived with darker mornings and cooler nights. More winter crops are sneaking their way into our farmers' booths. But now it is officially time to break out the scarves, rain boots, and even more sunscreen (this is San Diego, remember?). But more importantly start cooking delicious fall recipes. It's time for apples, persimmons, citrus, and yummy winter squash. Kids are back to school and the fruit is ripe for picking. That means apple pie and persimmon puddings, fresh orange anything and all the pumpkin spice you can handle.

Look out this week for sweet and crispy Fuji apples from Smit Orchards and take a bunch home to turn into chunky cinnamon and nutmeg infused apple butter. Or slip on your baking hat and use them a warm, gooey apple pie. Celebrate Rosh Hashana by dipping apple and challah bread slices in honey to hope for a sweet new year. Try Mikolich's new winecountry wildflower honey with a fresh baked loaf of challah from Belen Bakery. You can still enjoy  fresh salads too- mixing together sweet Asian pears from Lone Oak Ranch with mixed greens from Suzie's farm, raw almonds from Hopkins AG, and a fresh stalk of celery from JR Organics. Select a finely pressed olive oil from Marians and drizzle generously. 

Acorn squash, baby butternuts, and even red kabocha squash are peeking into the market too, from JR Organics, Terra Bella Ranch, and Maciel Farms, so don't feel guilty about jumping early on baking yourself some fresh roasted squash soup topped with fresh herbs and sprouted pumpkin seeds from Suzie's to enjoy as the fog rolls in over the city...

Sangria for the Masses

Doesn't the saying go, "when the universe gives you lemons (and limes, oranges, apples and grapes too), make sangria"? The Pacific Beach Tuesday Farmers' Market has all the best ingredients to blend together a personalized, refreshing wine punch. Sangria (from the word sanguine, meaning blood), is a light, sweet drink native to South America. using dry, inexpensive wine and fresh slices of citrus flavored fruits, you can set the mood for your next picnic or party or lazy summer afternoon with any variation of this recipe.

Go ahead and buy a ten pound bag of juicy valencia oranges from Paradise Valley Ranch. Pick up a few Gala apples from Smit Orchards, a box of tender, just plucked raspberries from Kawano Farms, and two or three extra ripe nectarines from Lone Oak Ranch. Slice all the fruit thinly and mix with one or two bottles of red or white wine- nothing too sweet or too expensive. You're making a base for the drink, so don't go overboard. Allow the fruit to soak in the wine for at least a few hours, or overnight if possible. This allows the fruit to infuse the wine with all its sweet, complex flavors, creating the most sumptuous sangria.
Add ice and seltzer if you prefer when ready to serve, and enjoy in the company of close friends and even better sunsets.  

"CURLY" IN FRENCH, WITH APPLES IN AUTUMN

Often, this resplendant green is overlooked by far too many shoppers. Frisee is that sometimes wilty looking, brightly colored green with curly locks. Adorable, in the same sense that orphans are adorable. Eager and darling with that well-used look.

Frisee, otherwise known as Endive, is a peppery, nutty green that pairs perfectly with the first harvest of Autumn apples. Smit Orchards has bright, crispy, rouge Galas that only really taste their best during these first few weeks of harvest. Suzie's Farm has been offering delicate heads of frisee, along with an array of other fancy herbs like tarragon, stevia, and chamomile, that make an ideal, tender autumn salad. Mix a few tablespoons of fresh pressed olive oil from Falcone's with some apple cider vinegar and some minced shallot from JR organics. Add a spoonful of Mikolich's raw honey to make a well rounded, sweet vinaigrette. Gently tear the leaves of frisee into bite sized pieces, place 1 or 2 sliced Gala apples and perhaps a handful of dried cherries from Smit, and top it all off with raw, coursley chopped walnuts from Nicolau Farms. 

Enjoy the assertive taste of seasonal greens and the sweet juiciness of summer's last hurrah...

FRESH AND DIRECT

The days are getting longer and we can think of no better way to spend those extra daylight hours than shopping and strolling the North Park Farmers' Market. Come join your neighbors as they mingle with chefs, farmers and purveyors. Frenchie's Crepes and Salvadorean Pupusas are the perfect stop for an exciting after work meal when you're too tired to cook. Do like the local chefs do and create your own market pasta with help from Lisko Imports and a saute of the latest veggies from R&L Farms, maybe some grilled and sliced chicken from Da La Ranch too? Poppa's got your fresh fish for tacos, perfect when kicked up with a dollop of chipotle Bitchin' Sauce. Grab some strawberries from JR Organics, oranges from Paradise Valley and apples from Smit Orchards to make a simple fruit salad. Come and enjoy the fresh air, sunshine and endless possibilities!

SNACKERS & STROLLERS

We don't have to tell you that fast food, cookies and soda aren't the healthiest afternoon pick-me-ups, but sometimes when that snack attack hits you've just got to eat something. The Adams Avenue Farmer's Market has plenty to offer by way noshing and it's not just for the kids! A handful of Mexican chocolate flavored almonds from Hopkins Ag and apples from Smit will fill you with fiber and natural sweetness. Dip carrots and sugar snap peas from Suzie's Farm into one of Lisko's many flavors of hummus. Toast a slice of Belen Bakery's sunflower bread and spread it with Really Good Jam's Champagne and rose petal infused strawberry jam.  And of course, keeping your fruit bowl stocked and your crisper drawer full of veggies will provide you with healthful snacking all week long.

Beautiful weather and longer days make it easy to get healthy and fit. Combine healthy snacking with a brisk stroll to the Adams Avenue Farmers' Market from Kensingnton, Normal Heights or University Heights and you'll be in great shape for summer.

AN APPLE A DAY

Is there any easier way to eat healthy than tucking a crisp, juicy apple into your pocket before you leave the house each day? Smit Orchards and R&L Farms are bringing Gala, Fuji, and Pink Lady and more apples to your favorite farmers' markets this week. Keep a bowlful in your kitchen for a fresh solution to the snacking dilemma, or mix up this tasty slaw.

CARROT APPLE SLAW This is an easy dish to make, and it makes a great side or snack. Grab a couple firm apples, a small bunch of carrots from Suzie's Farm, a half cup each of raisins from Smit Orchards and Hopkins AG almonds. Peel and grate the carrots, grate the apples and crush the almonds roughly. Mix all the ingredients together with two tablespoons each of fresh lemon juice and local honey. Got it? Good.