GOOSES WILD AT LOCAL FARMERS MARKET

Tired of the same old turkey for special holiday meals? DaLe Ranch has geese available (by preorder only) for delivery to the Adams Avenue, North Park and Little Italy Farmers’ Markets. Please order by December 10 if you plan to cook your goose. Ducks are also available and of course locally raised chickens, beef and pork are regularly available at our markets. We’re thinking an orange pomegranate glaze, using fruit from your favorite farm stand, would be just the thing for roasting that poultry. Save a little to drizzle on beets roasted alongside, sauté the beet greens, and serve with Warm Spiced Pears for a perfect winter celebration.

Halve and core four pears from Lone Oak or Heritage Farms. Place pears cut side down in a baking dish and add Smit apple cider to a depth of half an inch. Add a teaspoon of whole cloves, a cinnamon stick and the zest of an orange to the cider. Bake at 350 for twenty minutes or until pears are soft when forked. Strain liquid into sauté pan. Turn pears right side up, add a generous dab of Humbolt Fog cheese to the middle of each and return to oven for a few minutes to melt cheese. Reduce cooking liquid in pan until thick and bubbly; pour over the pears and enjoy a pearfect desert or side dish.

From the Southwestern United States to the tip of South America, tamales are the traditional food for family gatherings during the holiday season. Gourmet Tamales in Oceanside makes amazing beef, pork and chicken tamales as well vegetarian versions like sweet corn and scallion featuring vegetables from their own farm. Pick up a dozen for your family feast at the North Park or Little Italy market this week.

Learn how to apply for permits, how to apply for space, and how to successfully market your crop or product at San Diego farmers' markets. Tuesday, January 11, 6 pm to 8:30 pm Limited class size. Register now!

Make beautiful music at one of our weekly farmers' markets? Jazz, Funk, Latin, Fusion, or your specialty, we'd like our shoppers to hear from you. Contact us here with a link to your music site and let San Diego hear your tunes!

Taste Cheese has been building a loyal following with their artisan cheese selections, which happen to pair incredibly well with some of our local farmers’ produce. We especially love Tomme d’ Savoie with persimmons from Lone Oak Ranch, Fiscalini 18 month bandage-wrapped cheddar with Fuji apples from Smit Orchards, and Ossau Iraty with Smit’s dried cherries. Throw a ciabbata from Lisko Imports in the oven and you’re ready.

There’s a great selection of beautiful poinsettias at the North Park market including traditional red, bright golden marbled, and a pink hybrid known as peppermint twist, all grown in Leucadia by KG Growers. J.R. Organics has colorful, incredibly fragrant fruit and chile wreaths and Maldonado offers traditional evergreen wreaths. Add a basket of fresh pomegranates, persimmons and apples to the table and your holiday decorating is done.

Looking for a unique gift? Look no further than the Mercato, where you’ll find one of a kind pottery creations at the Wheel, gift boxes from Just Spice, typewriter-key jewelry from Lizzy B’s, made-to-order ornaments from Lily Girl and unique repurposed artwork from Recycle Art. Choose scarves from KEF, shopping bags from June’s Accessories or beautiful glass wine stoppers from Conte’s Bella Vino. Ready to wrap and impress!