PERSIMMON GRANTED AT LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS

PERSIMMON GRANTED
One bite of crisp, sweet fragrant California fuyus from Terra Bella Ranch, Lone Oak Ranch or R&L Farms and you'll know why it's Persimmon Month. Slice those sunny orange fuyus up and eat like a crisp apple or pear, and use in Fall salads. Other types are deeper orange, and shockingly astringent until they're fully ripened; buy them when they feel like a soft tomato, then bake in cookies, pies and tarts. Ask your friendly farmer to point you to the right persimmon for your needs and to share their favorite recipes.

TRIPLE P SALAD
Three of our favorite fall fruits play nicely together in this salad that's a great way to start a meal on a warm San Diego autumn evening. Slice two or three fuyu persimmons and an Asian pear. Remove seeds from a large pomegranate using a colander over a bowl to reserve the juice that drains as you dig out the seeds. Whisk together local honey from Heritage Farm and California Olive Oil from Thyme of Essence, and the juice of a fresh lemon from Polito Farms to make dressing. Toss the sliced fruits and pomegranate seeds with dressing and a sprinkle of chopped fresh basil and mint from Suzie's Farm. Mound on fresh baby arugula and drizzle the reserved pomegranate juice on top for a burst of fall color and enjoy!

SQUASHING APPETITES
Acorn, butternut, kabocha and turban are just a few of the winter squash varieties at the Adams Avenue, North Park and Little Italy farmers' markets now. Pick one up from Sage Mountain or JR Organics and cook them simply. Cut in half, scoop out the seeds and toss in the oven until soft and sweet, on their own or topped with a squeeze of orange juice, butter from Springhill Farms, chopped walnuts from Smit Orchards, or whatever other toppings strike your fancy.

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FARMERS MARKET VENDING 101

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. Thursday, December 7, 6 pm to 8:30 pm Limited class size. Register now!

WILL PLAY FOR FOOD?

Want to 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!

FRESH IS EASY AT ADAMS AVENUE
Looking for a quick, healthy and tasty dinner? Rype Catering gathers fresh local produce from the farmers at our markets and tosses watermelon and mint, heirloom tomato, and black bean and corn salads to order. Take one home along with a fish filet from Poppa's Fresh Fish or World Famous, or a hot roto chicken, add a pint of fresh raspberries from Kawano Farms for dessert and you've got a winner for dinner!

SALTY LANGUAGE AT NORTH PARK
Salt Farm offers the best in natural and infused sea salts along with adorable salt grinders, spoons, and other accessories to the North Park Farmers' Market each week. Try the black truffle salt on roasted eggplant from Tom King Farm or ripe heirloom tomatoes from Valdivia Farms.

Got another kind of truffle on your mind? Cookie Chews offers homemade cookies with a chocolate surprise in the middle. Eclipse makes salted caramels and truffles right here in North Park. Pair with a cup of locally roasted coffee from Java Jive and you'll start your market afternoon off right.

TURKEY TALK
Prepare the carving station! Order your fresh turkey or ham for the holiday now from Da Le Ranch or SonRise Ranch. Artisan Woodcraft offers large all-natural cutting boards perfect for carving the holiday bird. Start practicing now on a hot Dos Roti chicken so you'll be ready for the big day. Pick up sweet potatoes from Vangs Farm, Schaner Farms' cippolini onions to cream, olives from Lisko Imports and cheese from Taste for appetizers and you've got Thanksgiving dinner well underway.