Farmers Market Heaven

I went on a road trip last weekend to Santa Barbara. I had to get my son to a lacrosse camp in the area. I really wasn't sure what I was going to do besides eat and sight see.

Now I can't remember when or if I have ever been to the Santa Barbara area before, so I was pretty excited to check it out. It is a beautiful California beach town even if it is a large city and probably overrun by tourists in the summer.

Thanks to my friend Erin's idea, I checked out if they might have any farmers markets in the area. This turned out to be a really good idea, as they have them 6 days during the week.

I went to the downtown market on Saturday morning. Once I started walking around it was apparent that this one was a lot different. Compared to the ones that I go to in Phoenix and Flagstaff, the SB market is much more focused on farmers. There are not as many vendors selling sauces, honey, and prepared foods, etc. I guess there were probably 40 farmer stalls selling almost any type of produce imaginable. 

Walking around it was apparent that I had discovered farmers market heaven. 

Walk with me and check it out...

To the right is a table of heirloom tomatoes and to the left is a pile of corn that could have concealed a body, it was that large!

                                      This was a stunning display of peppers and eggplants.

         Squash blossoms and massive artichokes!                                          

Tomatillos and peppers including spicy green apple peppers in the front.


Many types of basil ready for someones home garden.



                       Kale, leeks, carrots and celery roots.

 

There were many types of grapes even though these are the only ones I got pics of. Tons of avocados were everywhere. I felt lost. I wanted to buy so many things. I guess I became flustered and didn't buy a lot of sweet corn and avocados as I was too worried about getting this stuff home. 

I did buy some stuff to put in the styrofoam cooler that I bought (because I forgot to bring one). I bought Chinese long beans, shishito peppers, lemon cucumbers, Japanese eggplant, Cherokee and Indigo Cherry heirloom tomatoes, sweet white peaches, snap peas and 2 little Bitter melons.

These goodies are keeping me extra busy trying to figure out what to make with them. I wish I could go back to the Santa Barbara farmers market this weekend, but these memories will have to do...