What’s Fresh at the Farmers Market this Week

Hibiscus plants from Casablanca Nursery Wednesday Santa Monica come in several colors and can be grown indoors or out. They can be pruned and kept in a pot or planted in the ground. Only $7.25 per plant

Tomatillos for salsa – so easy and good. Roast till charred and soft, then puree with onion, garlic, peppers. In season at many stands

Bananas from Friends Ranch. Wednesday Santa Monica, Saturday Gardena. They ripen slowly on the stalk or individually.

Pineapple quince from Mud Creek Ranch. Wednesday Santa Monica, Saturday Ojai. Cooked into a jelly like paste, they are delicious with salty cheese. An ancient fruit, largely forgotten.

The Reedley Medfly – the one that got away. We’ll need more than nets to stop this one!! Ron Cornelson, (Honey Crisp) likes to keep it around to shake up the inspectors.

Sam Baxter, sous chef at Providence with cilantro flowers at the Wednesday Santa Monica Farmers Market

Vinny Dotolo from Animal talks tomatoes with farmer Mark Carpenter