north park

Aubergine, or eggplant, is in season at Prois Farm, JR Organics and Suzie’s Farm at the North Park Thursday Farmers’ Market, and it’s one of our favorite summer vegetables. We can’t resist a classic eggplant parmigiana with fresh basil and, of course, real Parmigiano-Reggiano from Taste Cheese. If you have the patience and the need to impress, Japanese eggplant from Suzie’s Farm and summer squashes from Kawano Farms are perfect for this gorgeous ratatouille recipe; yes it’s the one from that movie! Pick up fresh parsley, lemons from Paradise Valley Ranch, and extra virgin olive oil from The California Olive for this baba ghanoush; don’t forget a crusty baguette from Belen Bakery for dipping. What will you make with eggplant? Give us some egg-cellent ideas! 
 

ALL STAR VEGETABLE AT NORTH PARK

It just might be the World's Most Versatile Vegetable; eat it raw dipped in hummus from Baba Foods or in spicy chipotle Bitchin' Sauce, or sautee it in roasted red pepper pesto and serve over fresh pasta from Lisko Imports.  Toss it in Chardonnay-Garlic Vinaigrette from Bistro Blends and roast it in the oven (makes a great side to roast chicken from DaLe Ranch.)  Use it to top a Conchetta's pizza, or pick up farm fresh eggs from the R&L stand and make a frittata.  Grab some Estero Gold from Taste Cheese and make an amazing gratin.  There's no limit to what you could make with organic broccoli from JR or Suzie's Farm at the North Park Market today. 

If you're old enough to remember Saturday Night Live when it was still funny, listen to this while you prep that broccoli: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR6y71x3tSY

Need some snacks for the big day?  Like one stop shopping?  Go to the J. R. Organics stand at the North Park Farmers' Market and grab three handfuls of tomatillos, and one each of  jalapenos, green onion and cilantro.  You'll have to peel off the papery husks from the tomatillos; now take all the ingredients and chop them up with a knife, or throw them in a blender or food processor, make it as chunky or smooth as you like.  Add a dash of salt and a squeeze of fresh lime and you've got a zesty salsa verde!  Grab some fresh corn tortillas from Don Tommy's Mexican Foods and fry (or bake) your own chips on game day, or try crunchy pita chips from Baba Foods.  Also makes a great dip for grilled shrimp from Poppa's Fresh Fish!