hummus

When we see crunchy vegetables like celery, carrots, broccoli, baby squash, Japanese turnips and radishes at the North Park Thursday Farmers’ Market, we get the urge to dunk!

Dip them in raw, vegan, flavor packed spreads from Majestic Garlic (cilantro-jalapeno is our favorite), in spicy habanero hummus from Baba Foods, or is smoky Chipotle Bitchin’ Sauce. Try making this almond hummus dip, using nuts from Hopkins AG or use their almond butter as a smear. Plunge veggies into Mediterranean garlic-herb salsa from Hani’s Olives, or make a fondue for dipping with Spring Hill Cheese Company’s organic cheddar!

Pick up Ancient Secrets yogurt and your favorite fresh herbs for this healthy dip. Load up on crisp spring vegetables from your favorite farmers and get dippin’. It’s crunch time!

SHOP & SCORE!

Score a big win with your Super Bowl party guests by shopping the Little Italy Mercato today. “Lucky” ticket-holders will be bundled up in big coats, hats and mittens in Indianapolis with a predicted high in the low 40’s. Really lucky fans here in sunny San Diego can enjoy the big game in tees and sandals, so think about picking up some organic Viva Pops for dessert, along with gooey bars from Olive Oil Cafe (you'll never guess they're gluten-free.)

Start with your appetizers - grab a few baguettes from Bread & Cie and infused oils for dipping from Gianni’s or California Olive. Choose manly cheeses like Fiscalini aged cheddar, Mimolette or Ewephoria (great with beer!) from Taste Cheese and fill your shopping bag with scarlet grapes from Smit Orchards. Forget the fried potato chips and salty dips! Pick up fresh crunchy carrots, celery and sugar snap peas from J.R. Organics, Maciel Farms or Gilbert Quintos to dip in some chipotle Bitchin’ Sauce and hummus from Baba Foods or Lisko Artisan Deli. While you’re at the Bitchin’ booth- grab some extra tubs to spread on your pre-game sandwiches, grilled chicken or fish! Poppa’s Fresh Fish will supply the oysters.

Speaking of the grill, get in on the biggest grilling day of the year with some kickin’ sausages from SonRise Ranch or tri tip and ribs from Da-Le Ranch. Make it a great ‘Half-Thyme’ meal with spices from Thyme of Essence for your grilled meat or veggies.

Not hosting the game this year? Bring a tin of honey cinnamon or spicy roasted almonds from Hopkins AG and a bottle of San Diego merlot from Triple B Ranches for the host. You’ll be Most Valuable Guest, for sure.

SUPERBOWL SNACKS FOR THE WIN!

Score a big win with your football buddies by shopping the North Park Farmers’ Market before the Super Bowl. Those “lucky” enough to attend the game this year will be bundled up in big coats, hats and mittens in Indianapolis with a high temperature predicted to be 38 degrees. Really lucky fans here in sunny San Diego can enjoy the big game in tees and sandals!

Start with appetizers - grab a few baguettes from Belen Bread, a bottle of California Olive Oil for dipping, some manly Beemster and Mimolette cheeses from Taste Cheese and scarlet grapes from Smit Orchard. Forget the fried potato chips and heavy onion dip! Grab crunchy carrots, celery and squash from Valdivia Farms and Suzie’s Farm to serve with chipotle or pesto Bitchin’ Sauce and Lisko Artisan Deli’s hummus. While you’re at the Bitchin’ booth - grab some extra tubs to spread on your pre-game sandwiches, grilled chicken or fish!

Speaking of the grill, get in on the biggest grilling day of the year with farm fresh chicken or a flank steak from Da-Le Ranch. Make it a great ‘Half-Thyme’ meal with thyme, dill and cilantro from J.R. Organics to season your grilled meat or veggies. Get your guac on with big avocados from Paradise Valley Ranch, limes from Gilbert Quintos’ Farm and jalapenos from Proios Family Farm. Don’t forget to tell the farmer when you’ll be mashing those avocados to get the best advice on ripeness.

Not hosting the game this year? Scoop up a tin of honey cinnamon roasted almonds from Hopkins AG and a bunch of pretty blooms from Hidalgo Flowers for the host and you’ll be sure to be named Most Valuable Guest!

CAULI IT TASTY!

If you've ever considered cauliflower a boring old standby, a trip to the North Park Farmers' Market this week may change your mind. At Suzie's Farm choose from pale green kaleidoscopic Romanesco or their newest deep pink Graffiti cauliflower. Each has its own distinctive taste, and the colors add a little fun to the plate. (Graffiti actually turns purpley blue when cooked - take that, George Carlin.) Rodney Kawano Farms and Proios Family Fams offer the more typical white heads, but like all vegetables, the taste is more intense when it's fresh from the farm.

No matter what you cauli it, rich in vitamin C and K, cauliflower is perfect for crudites dipped in Baba Food’s Baba Ganoush or Majestic Garlic's sprouted hummus. We love that veg on veg action. A quick trim and steam or slow roast are easy ways to cook florets or whole heads.  For an incredibly eye-catching side, steam a Romanesco for around 15 minutes and serve it whole, with the slightest drizzle of Springhill Farm's fresh butter.

Any variety can be added to a simple veggie stir fry with carrots from JR Organics and peppers and squash from Valdividia Farms. Or make a gratin that is as easy and comforting as it is pretty, with a little gooey gruyere from Taste Cheese. You've got the (cauli)power!

PACK IN THE PROTEIN

Ever wonder if the food you eat gives you enough of that prized possession, protein? You've got options folks! The North Park Farmers' Market has all of them stacked and ready to go so you can pack your meals with a protein punch.

If you're feeling carnivorous, try something new and grab a lean cut of rabbit from Da Le Ranch- high in protein and low in fat, this is a great addition to any slow cooked stew. If veggies are calling your name, make a fresh summer salad with lima beans and corn, topped with shaved broccoli stems from Maciel and Family. How about snacking on a handful of raw almonds from Hopkins AG to carry you through your day, or try adding fresh walnuts from Nicolau Farm to a pile of Suzie's fresh arugula and roasted beets. There's always your traditional on-the-go meal by smearing some cinnamon infused peanut butter from PB Peanut Butter all over a toasted slice of sunflower flaxseed multigrain baked by Belen Bread. Give your breakfast a boost and smother a good helping of Bitchin' Sauce's pesto over poached eggs and avocado slices from Paradise Valley Ranch or dip fresh carrots and cucumbers from Suzie's Farm in Majestic Garlic's rich, vegan curry hummus. However you do it, you're sure to feel good eating straight from the market! 

LUNCH IS IN THE BAG

This year when you send your kids back to school why not think outside the lunch box!  The North Park Farmers market has tons of stuff to replace the usual lunchables.  Make lunch better with fruit kabobs, made with Smit Orchards grapes & apples with chunks of Springhill white cheddar.  Pack up some JR Organics carrots, cucumbers, celery with some hummus from Majestic Garlic and your kids won't be trading their sack.  A  vegetable frittata made from Paradise Valley eggs, even when cold, never gets old.  A peanut butter and jelly sandwich, which includes Pacific Beach Peanut Butter and Belen bread, will definitely fill the lunch niche!   Replace the peanut butter with a spreadable Nicolau Farms chevre and you'll have a sandwich like no other.   No kid will ever tire of a pasta salad, made from Lisko's fresh pasta, their favorite steamed veggies, and tossed with olive oil by Thyme of Essence.  Get adventuresome and pack some almonds from Hopkins Ag or Suzie's steamed beets instead of other treats. Safari Crunch Granola and raisins from R&L  will add some punch to any yogurt lunch.   Now you got the hang of it, ready, set, go to the North Park Farmers market and make a healthy lunch!

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.