Spinach isn't necessarily a winter green, but in temperate winter areas like southern California, we get to enjoy it now. The spinach above is an heirloom variety that is quite toothy and probably best steamed or sautéed, but we also have sellers at the Hollywood Farmer's Market who specialize in young leafy varieties that are great for salads. more ›

Butternut squash are right in the middle of their Southern California season, which starts at the end of September and runs until the beginning of March. As one of the more popular winter squash, butternut has a sweet and nutty taste similar to pumpkin, with deep orange fleshy pulp. more ›

Pomegranate is a fruit rich in history, having ancient origins in modern day Iran and the Caucasus. It is cultivated all over north Africa, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Asia. In many cultures, the juice of the individual arils is separated from the seeds and processed into grenadine and pomegranate molasses as intense flavoring agents. more ›

For the first time in awhile, I've seen Meyer lemons back at the farmer's market. Meyer lemons are native to China and thought to be a cross between a true lemon and a mandarin or orange. Brought back from a trip to China by Frank Meyer about 100 years ago, they grow well in warm climates in orchards or garden pots as ornamental trees with a winter seasonality in the California climate. more ›

With Halloween, we usher in a huge annual harvest of pumpkins that grace holiday tables winter-long. Though they are often carved into jack-o-lanterns, historically believed to ward off demons at Halloween, many varieties are thicker, juicier and more flavorful than typical Halloween pumpkins and make delicious, hearty meals. more ›

Root vegetables are a fall favorite, and yams are no exception. Let's get one thing straight though, we often refer to sweet potatoes as yams, but true yams are a different family than sweet potatoes, and are most often confused here in the States (I found almost as many articles talking about this difference as I found recipes). While many of the recipes in this article will call for sweet potatoes, try them out with true yams and see what you think! more ›

Fall is in full swing, and so is apple season! Here in Southern California, we're lucky enough to have apple orchards in some of the higher elevation mountains surrounding the city, one of which is Oak Glen, above Yucaipa. During apple season, the orchards are open 7 days a week, though self-picking is only available on the weekends and tapers down as the season wanes. more ›

When some of the protesters camped out on the lawn of City Hall refused to make way for the vendors' typical Thursday lunchtime set-up, the farmers market decided to move across the street. Some vendors just decided not to come to the Thursday farmers market at all. Others came back to their new spot, but they weren't very happy with their sales. Protests, it turns out, are bad for business. more ›

Today, they grow in many temperate areas of the United States as both a shrub or a tree. In a climate such as we have here in Los Angeles, feijoas are often grown as backyard fruit, similar to loquats, and anyone who has lived with this fragrant tree has grown to love them. When I saw these for sale at the Hollywood Farmer's Market, I excitedly bought a bag to enjoy this week. more ›

Despite the seasonal changes, the warmth of southern California means we still have some summer fruits around, one of which are raspberries! Get them fresh at the farmer's markets around town, or choose a pick-your-own farm to visit and pick yourself a flat of fresh fruit! more ›

For residents of North Hollywood and adjacent communities, going to a decent weekly farmers market means a Tuesday evening schlep to Sherman Oaks to the Woodman Avenue Farmers' Market, or joining the fray at the popular Sunday Studio City Farmers' Market. Starting Saturday, October 1st, though, the NoHo Arts District is getting their own weekly farmers' market. more ›

Late summer is a great time for capsicum peppers of all types, from mild bell peppers to hot chili peppers like jalapeños and habañeros. Since peppers are such a large family with so many different uses, today we'll look at hot peppers and how you can use them seasonally, and put them up for use year-round. more ›

We talked with Good Food Festival producer Jim Slama about what the event is and what you can experience at the various demos, talks, and gatherings that are part of a celebration of the Santa Monica Farmers' Market and a larger dialogue about improving L.A.'s foodscape. more ›

If you've been to the Thursday night seasonal Farmers' Market up at Yamashiro in Hollywood, you've probably checked out Chef Brock Kleweno's tasty fusion tacos and salsas and guac. But the Market is closing up for the colder months. Luckily, you won't have to skip a beat--or a week--without your taco fix: Kleweno is opening his taco shop, Komida, in Hollywood. more ›

After recently reading about all the superhero qualities of purslane, I knew I'd want to profile it and encourage everyone to eat this succulent annual that comes around every summer. Purslane is a leafy vegetable mostly sold in farmer's markets, though it is often considered a weed when found in gardens, due to its hardy qualities—but it's a beneficial weed, since it helps out neighboring plants. It's a great food to forage, since it's easily identifiable and rather prolific in the southern california landscape. more ›

July is National Ice Cream Month. To celebrate, we'll be reviewing some of our favorite ice cream spots -- and some new ones, too -- all this week. more ›

Though we might not know it, we're shopping elbow-to-elbow at our favorite farmers' market with local chefs and cocktail crafters, who are buying, and drawing from, the fruit and veggies of the season to use in their restaurant creations. At Eveleigh, on the Sunset Strip, those farm-fresh ingredients are going into cocktails as part of a new weekly Farmers' Market Sunday drink menu. more ›

It's June, and while sultry summer weather has yet to make an appearance, we're more than ready for the tastes and treats of the season. Farmers' markets are full of strawberries and stone fruits, gorgeous cucumbers, succulent squash blossoms and bright berries. It's impossible to resist the temptation to overindulge. So what do you do when your larder overflows and these fresh fixings look ready to wilt? You preserve them of course. It's easier than you might expect, and the process is no longer something done out of pure necessity--stocking up for a frigid winter. Instead, preserving has become about the art of simplicity and economy, as well as taking advantage of local options. more ›

One of our favorite Farmers Markets, the seasonal Yamashiro Farmers' Market up in the Hollywood Hills has been named one of the Top Night Markets in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine in their July 2011 issue. more ›

Santa Monica's Downtown Farmers Market will begin implementing new signs and safety barricades (resembling tennis court nets) at each of the market entrances as part of the city's "ongoing commitment to maximize market safety," notes the city website. Market operation, access and vendor space will not be interrupted... more ›