Every week Good Food visits the Wednesday Santa Monica Farmers’ Market and brings the latest news from farmers and chefs.
This week Market Manager Laura Avery talks with Nick Shipp, executive chef of The Upper West. He’s shopping for Brussels sprouts to feature in a lemongrass coconut curry.
Plus, Casi Richie of Life’s a Choke Family Farm explains that they’ve got the younger, smaller Brussel sprouts at the market now, and that the larger, leafy ones will be coming soon.
What You Should Buy This Weekend At the Farmers’ Market:
– The fresh cayenne peppers from JF Farms are hot and spicy, but will also add a nice pop of flavor to any dish.
– Brussels sprouts and asparagus from Life’s a Choke Family Farms. Listen to Casi Richie discuss her Brussels sprouts on this week’s market report.
– Celery root from Weiser Family Farms. Apparently the French like to dip thinly sliced celery root into a mixture of mustard and mayo. Bon appetite.
– The Pink Lady apples from Fair Hills Farms are sweet, but still pack a tartness that balances out the flavor. The most flavorful ones will have a large, blotchy, brownish ring around the stem.
– Gosho persimmons from Penryn Orchard. The coloring of the Gosho looks like a beautiful Monet-like depiction of Fall. Sun exposure develops the skin color, so the more reddish-orange ones were probably hanging on the outer branches of the tree.
Recipes for your Market Haul:
Pan-seared Sea Scallops with Celery Root Purée, Bacon, Olives, Brown Butter, Apple and Fennel
Mark Bittman’s Celeriac Rémoulade
Persimmons Poached in Pomegranate Juice with Toasted Walnuts
Maple-Sriracha Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberry Wild Rice