HATCH MADE IN HEAVEN AT YOUR FARMERS MARKETS

EGG-SCAPE HATCH
You may have heard about the recent recall of a half billion (yes, billion) eggs due to food safety issues. None of those eggs came from local producers, but they were sold locally branded Ralph's, Lucerne (Safeway) and Albertson's, among other brands. Check here to see if there are eggs in your fridge that should be discarded. The codes are a little complicated, we know. One of the great things about our farmers' markets is that you can find out exactly which farm your eggs are from by asking the vendors.  Schaner Farms, Rose Cottage, Eben – Hazer, Descanso Ranch and Swiss Mountain are just some of the local egg ranches selling at the markets. Oh, and besides being simpler to track, our local eggs taste delicious too!

RICHIE'S MOM'S
CHILE RELLENO CASSEROLE
Mix 12 farm-fresh eggs with 1 cup half and half and ⅓ cup flour until smooth. Shred 1/2 pound Springhill Farms Jack cheese, and 1/2 pound sharp Cheddar. Slice 8–10 Richie's Roasted Hatch chiles in strips (Remember to use gloves when handling hot peppers.) Pre-heat oven to 350° F. Spray 1 1/2-quart casserole dish with nonstick spray. Layer egg mixture, cheese and chilies in dish. Top with 1 cup fresh tomato sauce. Bake for 1 hour, covering with foil if the top browns too much. Serves 4–6.

SHOP & DROP FOR FOOD4KIDS
The Food4Kids Backpack Program was so successful in its second year at the Little Italy Mercato last Saturday that we're keeping it going through the week. Let's see if Adams Avenue and North Park Farmers' Market shoppers can help us collect even more backpacks and non-perishable food than we did last year to help feed hungry San Diego kids. This is a great way to teach the kids in your life to reach out to others; let them help pick the backpacks and the healthy food they'd like to eat to donate to children who have less. Since most of our market food is fresh you'll want to stock up on staples like tuna and applesauce before you arrive. Then drop before you shop!

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COFFEE BEE
The Adams Avenue Farmers' Market is three months old now and it's growing and changing every week, as all new markets do. Look for another new farmer this week, and for Manness Vineyards back in the house with grapevines, grapes and more. Coffee is back this week courtesy of Paul Maschka's Java Jive. Paul's a farmer as well as a barrista, so feel free to sweeten your iced cappuccino or latte with his local honey. Sip and shop to the tunes of Dennis Howard this Wednesday.

TICKLED PINK
The pink grapefruit Viva Pop just might be the most refreshing thing that's happened to Adams Avenue since, well, probably the strawberry-cucumber-mint Viva Pop.  If you haven't guessed by now, Viva Pops are delicious frozen treats made with local organic fruits from the same farmers you see at the market.  They come in some surprisingly grown up flavor combinations (think apricot-lemongrass or mango-chile) and they're the perfect way to beat the heat on a Wednesday afternoon at the market.

NEW AT NORTH PARK
Pudwill Farms made a brief appearance at the North Park Farmers' Market last week with their amazing berries and we're hoping they'll be back soon. We have new farmers joining us almost every week. Java Jive and Viva Pops will provide coffee drinks and organic popsicles starting this week. Conchetta's Pizza dough and sauce is back. And Savage Garden is now bringing their beautiful hanging air plant arrangements, including some great smaller pieces for all you apartment dwellers who could use something green to brighten up your lives.

KOOL KOHLRABI
Looking for a crunchy fresh vegetable to snack on with a sprinkle of sea salt?  Ask the guys at J.R. Organics for kohlrabi and you'll get a purple skinned, football shaped orb sprouting edible greens (cook them like chard).  To get to the heart of the matter, peel off the purple and slice, dice or julienne the pale golden root, which can be eaten raw like carrots or celery dipped in hummus from Lisko Imports or Baba Foods. Or sautée with garlic and olive oil, in which case it tastes a bit like broccoli, but snappier. Snap some up this Wednesday and taste for yourself!

DOWN THE HATCH
Hatch chiles are back! Choose your favorite Sandia or Big Jim variety this Saturday. Extra-hot Barkers may be in this weekend too. The sweet smell of roasting chiles fills the air around 9 am every Saturday as Richie's Roasted Peppers tumbles a variety of chiles over a hot flame. Pick some up along with some farm fresh eggs and make Richie's Mom's famous casserole from the recipe above.

BOOKS AND MUSIC
You may have seen the wonderful pictorial history, San Diego's Little Italy, at neighborhood stores; authors Thomas Cesarini and Dr. Kimber Quinney will be at the Mercato this Saturday to talk about the book. The Vegetarian Guy, George Vutetakis, will be signing his new book Vegetarian Traditions.  For a different type of education, check out composer/musician and Mercato favorite Manny Cepeda's merengue, salsa and cumbia selections at the corner of Date and India–you may learn a new dance move or two!