pie

The new nut at the North Park Thursday Farmers’ Market is California pistachios from Smit Orchards and Hopkins AG; they’re perfect on their own as a crunchy snack but also make a wonderful addition to all sorts of sweet and savory dishes.

We like to toss them into a smoothie of JR Organics’ strawberries and Smit Orchards’ apple cider, sprinkle them over a salad of Suzie’s Farm arugula drizzled with oil and vinegar from the California Olive, or stir-fry them with broccoli and mushrooms from Kawano Farms.

Try them in this pistachio-date pie with medjools from Morocco Gold Dates or pick up fresh fennel from Suzie’s Farm and fish from the Salmon Slinger for wild Alaskan salmon with pistachio pesto. Italians are fond of pureeing pistachios with honey and using it like butter - go to Meljess Bees and try it out for yourself!

It’s your last chance to shop the North Park Thursday Farmers’ Market for Thanksgiving Day side dishes. Freshen up your green bean casserole with string beans and mushrooms from Kawano Farm’s stand and this recipe.

Pomegranates from Paradise Valley Ranch add a great local twist to dinner as a substitute for (or in addition to) traditional cranberry sauce (learn how here). Pick up apples from Smit Orchards, honey from Meljess Bees and butternut squash from African Sisters Farm for this glazed squash.

Does your family choose pumpkin pie or sweet potato pie for dessert? Make one of each; find pumpkins at JR Organics and sweet potatoes at Proios Family Farm, where you’ll also find Brussels sprouts that make an awesome dish when cooked with a little bacon from DaLe Ranch.

Great sides will bring wide smiles!

It’s not too soon to start planning your Thanksgiving Day dinner at the North Park Thursday Farmers’ Market. Da-Le Ranch is taking pre-orders for naturally raised turkeys from their Lake Elsinore property; they range from about 12-22 pounds. Talk to the Not So Fast food truck about turkey orders as well. 

Find sweet potatoes and yams at Proios Family Farm, pie pumpkins at JR Organics, green beans at Kawano Farms, bread for stuffing at Belen Bakery, plus onion, celery and fresh herbs at Suzie’s Farm. Pick up some kale from African Sisters and put this crispy kale salad on your Thanksgiving appetizer menu. 

Don’t forget dessert; pick up Granny Smith apples from Smit Orchards and pomegranates from Paradise Valley Ranch for this apple-pomegranate pie that’s sure to become a holiday tradition. We sure are thankful for our great local farmers!

Shop for dinner, stay for dessert at the North Park Thursday Farmers’ Market! Visit Sunnyside Kitchen for freshly baked cookies just like Mom used to make (but even better!) like Chocolate Delight, Peanut Butter and Mama’s Oatmeal. Don’t miss their banana oatmeal muffins and brownie bites too! Under the Crust has apple crumb, blueberry, lemon and pecan pies among their amazing offerings- check out their mini-pies in tiny tins, perfect for single servings! Grab a few as a hostess gift. Keep strolling down Herman Street to Bluespark Baking for sweet and savory pastry pockets, and grab a signature Bluespark iced coffee while you’re there.  Use Meljess Bee's honey instead of sugar in your baking recipes, like this honey cake with stewed strawberries recipe. You can get the eggs and berries from the North Park Market too! Moncai Vegan bakes carrot cake and fudge brownies, both gluten-free, as well as awesome cinnamon rolls and giant salted caramel cupcakes (a market staff favorite!). Stop by Belen Bakery for a classic tollhouse cookie, scones and blueberry bread to satisfy your sweet tooth. Check out the unusual dessert tamales from Gourmet Tamales, including strawberry apple, orange mango and pumpkin spice. Our farmers' friut always makes a healthy sweet ending to your market meal. Life is short, eat dessert first!