San Diego hosts so many amazing farmer’s markets, it’s hard to pick a favorite. From the Little Italy market to the region’s longest running market in Vista, you never know what you’re going to find.
Wednesday’s and Saturday’s host my two favorite North County markets in Encinitas and Vista. There’s the Swiss chicken guy who sells rosemary rotisserie-roasted chickens and breakfast potatoes – not to mention the short ribs my husband asks for by name. There are farmers with fresh tomatoes, lettuces, herbs…you name it, you can find it. And my daughter loves the food vendors, one of those great kid moments when she’s willing to try (just about) anything new.
Here’s a partial list of what’s in season right now in Southern California. What’s in season where you live?
- Apricots
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Basil
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Chard
- Cherries
- Corn
- Cucumber
- Dates
- Eggplant
- Figs
- Grapefruit
- Kale
- Mushrooms
- Mustard
- Nectarines
- Okra
- Oranges
- Passion Fruit
- Peaches
- Pears
- Plums
- Raspberries
- Spinach
- Summer Squash
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes
- Turnips
- 5-6 ears of fresh corn
- 2 garlic cloves, sliced
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided (one tablespoon for the skillet, one for the salad’s dressing)
- ⅔ cup fresh basil, julienned
- 16-20 ounces Roma, cherry or other sweet tomatoes, chopped
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- With a sharp knife, slice the corn kernels off of each cob.
- Warm 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add the corn kernels and garlic. Sauté until the corn is tender and the garlic begins to brown, about five minutes.
- Pour the corn and garlic into a serving bowl and allow the corn to cool slightly.
- Add the basil and chopped tomatoes to the corn, stir to combine.
- Whisk together the remaining olive oil and the balsamic vinegar; season with salt and pepper.
- Drizzle over the salad and gently stir to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for a few hours before serving.
I am so happy summer is here. Can’t wait to enjoy all the great summer produce we have available to us!
We are SO lucky to live here – I swoon when I hit the local markets. Little Italy’s is close by and, if you go early, parking is no problem. Hillcrest, the county’s largest, is too much of a zoo for me…Little one on Coronado Tuesday afternoon is small but every vendor is good. Love this simple summer salad –