Blue potatoes, red carrots, purple cauliflower – the rainbow of offerings at Weiser Family Farms is so vibrant right now that we couldn't limit this week's market report to just one fruit or vegetable. Weiser also has an extra special treat this month that Angelenos should keep an eye out for. And even if you don't shop at the Hollywood Farmers' Market, read on for recipes that cover the spectrum of seasonal produce.
Tehachapi's Weiser Family Farms is one of the stars of the Hollywood Farmers' Market and other Southern California markets. Renowned for their premium organic potatoes and carrots, Alex Weiser's produce isn't just Technicolor beautiful, but always wonderfully flavorful, tender, and sweet. We've been known to proclaim that we'd never truly tasted potatoes until we discovered these ones. The rest of the farm's offerings are just as superb.
Here's what's in season at Weiser right now, along with recipe suggestions. Among the fall and winter staples like turnips and parsnips are super-sweet red flame raisins on the vine. They are not to be missed and should be available for at least another week.
Recipes:
• Confetti Potatoes and Pearl Onions
• Pommes Anna
• Rosemary Roast Potatoes
• Top Five Things To Do With Potatoes
Recipes:
• Seasonal Spotlight: Jerusalem Artichokes, a.k.a. Sunchokes
Recipes:
• Creamy Braised Cauliflower with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
• Farfalle with Cauliflower and Toasted Breadcrumbs
• Indian-Roasted Cauliflower
• Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini
Recipes:
• Seasonal Recipe Spotlight: Carrots
• Indian Spiced Carrot Soup with Ginger
• Spicy Sweet Potato & Carrot Soup
Recipes:
• Parsnip, Mushroom and Leek Gratin
• Puréed Parsnips
Recipes:
• Seasonal Cooking: Interesting Things To Do with Turnips
Recipes:
• Rainbow Chard Salad with Raisins and Walnuts
(Images: Gregory Han and Emily Ho)
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Oh Man! I MISS Weiser Farms! They were my hands down favorite vendor at the market when I lived down in Long Beach! They introduced me to romanesco and crosnes!!
They are written about in Russ Parsons' book, "How to Pick a Peach", too!
view spotonmeg's profile
Great vendor. Love those potatoes.
view JudiAU's profile
these pictures make me wish i wasn't so damn lazy. I've been cooking more - but I rely on Ralph's I'd like to really start to do the whole local grocer/farm thing - but I feel so dumb when I'm at farmer's markets. Maybe I will hit the Hollywood farmers market next weekend.
view chusmabilly's profile
Chusmabilly, I hope you don't let feeling dumb keep you away from the farmers' market! The farmers, and even other shoppers, are always so happy to answer questions and give cooking suggestions. You'll discover lots just by letting the farmers talk about their produce, tasting samples, and bringing things home even if you're too shy to ask what they are (and then feel free to ask us at The Kitchn!). The book that spotonmeg recommended above, How to Pick a Peach by Russ Parsons, is also a wonderful beginner's guide to selecting and cooking fresh produce.
view Emily Ho's profile
I was a fan of the Weiser vegetables but hadn't tried the Jerusalem artichokes until a few months ago: delicious! They're wonderful and creamy when roasted (just a little olive oil kosher salt pepper); my next experiment will be making a soup out of them. It was Alex Weiser who encouraged me to try them, and that underscores Emily's point: don't let feeling dumb keep you away from the market or keep you from trying new things. If I'm going to try something, the odds are on my side when the recommendation comes from one of the farmers I've come to know and respect.
view snailwrangler's profile