Tag Archive for 'spring'

This Just In: Morels Update, Ramps, Fava Beans, Peas…

Chef Jonah says the morel season is just getting started, and in a week or two it will really explode. This will be a good year for morels if it doesn’t stay too dry – there have been plenty of forest fires, and we can probably expect to see morels through July……

This Just In: Spring Lamb from McCormack Ranch

The Oliveto kitchen was excited to receive three 40-lb spring lambs from Jeannie McCormack of McCormack Ranch. They arrived wrapped in cheesecloth (the traditional manner) and have been hanging for almost a week, which has slightly dried and aged the meat for a lovely sear and excellent flavor. Tonight they are ready to be served….

This Just In: Spring!

Last year, heavy rainstorms and wet weather delayed the start of spring until late April for some farms. However, this year has proven warm and dry, and our friend/produce expert Bill Fuijmoto reports that farms all over California – especially in the Delta, Sacramento, the Capay Valley, and Salinas – are looking forward to a great season…..

This Just In: Rosemary In Bloom

After a winter that was basically one long extended spring, many home gardeners in the Bay Area are finding their big, fluffy rosemary bushes now graced with beautiful purple blossoms. Pastry Chef Jenny Raven, a home gardener herself, has seen it first hand in her own yard & in honor…

Market Report #5: Lucero Seascape Strawberries

Yesterday, we saw the first wave of the Lucero Organic Farm’s amaaazing long stem Seascape strawberries at the Derby St. market in Berkeley. Karen Lucero showed up at 2 p.m. when the market opened, and was sold out within three hours. Ben Lucero has been growing this same variety of strawberry for years, even after…

Market Report #4: Favas, peas, artichokes, and goat!

Lots of spring firsts at the Derby Street market yesterday. English peas were in full-effect at a number of different stands. As were strawberries, asparagus, and the first baby fava beans…tender enough that you can eat the shell and everything. Chef Jonah and Chef de Cuisine Malachi bought up some lovely purple asparagus and baby artichokes from Riverdog Farm. Starting tonight,…

Market Report #3: Late Spring

Everyone is out & about in their shirtsleeves but market wise, spring’s a little late this year. We visited the Derby Market on Tuesday and talked to Judith Redmond of Full Belly Farm in Yolo who said that due to the late rains, the ground has been too wet to work. Finally, this past week…

Market Report – End of March 2011

The Derby Street market was hopping yesterday! Lots of people were out enjoying the sunshine & also the Ecology Center’s César Chávez Celebration. There were Capoeira dancers! The other end of the market was atwitter with the upcoming Berkeley City Council meeting scheduled for later that afternoon to discuss…

TJI: The Meaning of Asparagus

If you were still hibernating when we posted that last thing about Kishus, wake up! Spring has begun!
For many of our farmers, one of the tell-tale signs that the season has started (weather wise) is the first asparagus. The very first spring sparagus initially comes from our farmers…

Reports From Our Farmers – Spring 2010

One of the wettest on record, the spring of 2010 has created some unique challenges for many of our farmers. We already know that the height of tomato season is estimated to hit later than usual & so we’ve pushed back our Annual Tomato Dinners to…