Tag archives: vegan recipes

Raspberries
By Melissa Petitto   |   September 8, 2026

Chuy Berry Farms has the most delectable raspberries at the farmers market right now. A member of the rose family, raspberries come in red, black, yellow, and purple varieties and are easily recognized by their vibrant color and hollow center. Sweet, tart, and full of flavor, these berries are nutritional powerhouses packed with fiber, vitamin […]

White Nectarines
By Melissa Petitto   |   May 18, 2026

Stone fruit season is here and the white nectarine, my absolute favorite, is featured this week at Burkdoll Farms. Originally from China, the fuzzless skin of this peach varietal is caused by a recessive gene, not a cross between a peach and plum as some believe. These little nutrition powerhouses are packed with fiber, vitamin […]

Dates
By Melissa Petitto   |   March 17, 2026

Dried dates are always available at our farmers market, but lately I have been adding them to almost everything from a sweet potato topper with olives and herbs, to a salad addition, to a perfect and healthy vehicle for a dessert, so I thought they deserved an article of their own. Flying Disc Farms has […]

Chayote Squash
By Melissa Petitto   |   December 30, 2025

Chayote Squash, also known as mirliton, choko, christophine, and guisquil, is a member of the Cucurbitaceae gourd family. Daniel Moua Farm has some fine-looking ones right now and these beauties are smooth, light green, and mild in flavor. Most people don’t know what to do with these gourds. They can be eaten raw in salads, […]

Sugar Snap Peas
By Melissa Petitto   |   December 16, 2025

My daughter waits all year for sugar snap pea season, the perfect sweet and crunchy snack. The sugar snap pea is a hybrid of snow peas and garden peas, known for their plump, edible pods, low glycemic index value, and nutritional benefits. Sugar snap peas are a great source of vitamin C, which is incredible […]

Thai Chiles
By Melissa Petitto   |   December 9, 2025

Chiles are known for their heat, but do you know how nutritiously beneficial they are? Thai chiles are looking beautiful at Fred Ormand’s Farm. The chile is a part of the nightshade family, related to bell peppers and tomatoes. All chiles contain capsaicin, the compound responsible for their heat, and this compound is also what’s […]

Purple Sweet Potatoes
By Melissa Petitto   |   May 20, 2025

Her Produce has my favorite tuber in-house, and that is the purple sweet potato –also known as the Okinawan or Stokes Purple. These potatoes originated in South America, but have made a home in Okinawa, Japan. The rich color of the purple sweet potato makes it rich in antioxidants; anthocyanins to be exact. Anthocyanins have […]

Broccoli Sprouts
By Melissa Petitto   |   March 18, 2025

Broccoli sprouts are something that I spot year-round at the farmers market, and the sprouts at Ojai Microgreens are so vibrant and spicy! These small sprouts pack a nutrition powerhouse of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Sulforaphane is one of the main components of broccoli sprouts and is a potent antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation and […]

White Sapote
By Melissa Petitto   |   November 26, 2024

Another new one for me this week, the white sapote – or custard apple – just came into the market, and Rancho Santa Cecilia has some gorgeous ones. This fruit originally from central Mexico is a distant relative of citrus. The smooth textured pulp tastes like a mix between a banana and a peach, mixed […]

Napa Cabbage
By Melissa Petitto   |   November 19, 2024

Napa cabbage is in season and – as cabbage goes – is one of the most flavorful, nutrient-dense varieties out there. Something Good Organics has the first available, and I grabbed some for myself and my clients. This cabbage, also called Chinese cabbage, is traditionally used in kimchi, but is also an incredible vehicle for […]

Guatemalan Blue Squash
By Melissa Petitto   |   November 12, 2024

I love discovering new finds at the farmers market and the Guatemalan blue squash is a new varietal for me. Roots Organic Farm has some of the first seasonal squashes and I am so excited to take this one back to the kitchen and create a recipe for you. This rare heirloom variety of winter […]

Fuyu Persimmons
By Melissa Petitto   |   October 8, 2024

The first time I had a persimmon was seven years ago upon moving to Santa Barbara. There are two main types found here, the Fuyu and the Hachiyas. Avila and Sons Farms has some of the first Fuyus in the Farmers Market. The Fuyu is considered a non-astringent persimmon, one that can be eaten hard […]

Dried Dates
By Melissa Petitto   |   April 16, 2024

This week I am showcasing the insanely delicious dried dates at Flying Disc Farms. These things taste like candy and yet they have so many health benefits! This fruit from the date palm tree is awesome both fresh and dried. These sweet fruits are high in fiber, providing 7 grams in a 3.5 ounce serving. […]