Thursday, September 24, 2015

Farmers Market in San Jose



Had been to this Farmer’s market in San Jose on 24th June. Most of the Farmers’ markets are held on weekends but this one is held every Wednesday evening. 


  One good thing about these markets is that you are assured of getting some good fresh food, and you also get to taste the product before buying them. 


Blenheim Apricots are grown mostly by small, local farmers, have a more complex flavour than other apricots. They have a tangy, thick flesh, yet their acid content is balanced beautifully by a high sugar content that rounds out the tartness. They have a pretty apricot colour with a rosy blush outside, but their flesh is richer and darker orange. It is perfect for preserves as well as for drying, in addition to being a treat to eat out of hand. 


I noticed that the vegetables too looked fresh and a little bigger than what you get in India. 




As the board says, no water, no sugar, straight from the farm. 


We picked up some Strawberries and Blackberries


There was a pretty long line for the “shave ice” Reminded me of the baraf ki gola that we used to have during our school days. 


A group of children from a learning centre. Good idea with the T-shirt. If a child is lost you know whom to call. 


There was an ice cream counter too. Got some cones from them and found that their scoops were generous. 


At the end of the line there was this grilled chicken truck which was served with chunks of roast potatoes. Good to have them hot.  


Compare this with a 1934 picture of a market in LA where some musicians kept everyone entertained.




Talking of music, there was this lady who kept everyone happy with her guitar. I liked the way she plucked the guitar (you can see it in the video) While filming her I realised that she was actually blind. 





15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Like the way she plays the guitar with ease - Charles

Maria said...

I love apricots! The best place to buy them is the market, but they are a seasonal fruit here in the UK, I haven't seen them for sale in the winter. I know the super markets just about import everything all the year round, but I prefer to eat things when they are in season and less expensive.

There is a farmers market held here once a month, but I struggle to get to it because of my work. I wish they would stand more often. Yours looks plentiful.

Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Sweet! Thank you for the shout-out Joe.
Sincerely,
Sugar Mama

magiceye said...

Great place to spend a morning!!

Linda said...

So beautiful! I love farmer's markets! :)

sujata sengupta said...

I like the concept of a farmer's market. Its fairly common in cities outside of India and I think its a very community driven experience. Also add to it the fact that the farmer gets to sell his own produce.

Gail said...

Great to have a source for fresh veggies and fruits.

Hilary said...

Well now.. could we have possibly planned more similar posts? :) Fun stuff.. your local food looks yummy!

Launna said...

I love Farmers Markets, one I like to buy locally, two I love how fresh the food is and three you get different items than what the store is selling... I go at least once a week, mine is outdoors though...

Thank you for dropping by my blog and commenting, I truly appreciated it xox

Anonymous said...

Hi Joe
As usual a very Informative Blog from you which is always a fav for me to read.
Good that there were pics about the farmers market. Now I know what my son was talking about when he mentioned about visiting one in Minneapolis recently.
- Awadhut Natekar

Sharad Kulkarni said...

The concept of farmer's weekly bazaar was already there during my childhood. Later on intermediaries gaining ground everyday was a bazaar. This killed quality of the produce and also we have been paying hefty price. And meanwhile poor farmers remained poor. So now again this concept is gaining popularity. We have one such called ATHAVADI BAZAAR in Akurdi . Eveey Sunday evening. We get fresh direct from farms and the sellers are farmers themselves. We get at quite a reasonable price. We get everything from fruits to freah vegetables. I love shopping in this weekly bazaar.

Sharad Kulkarni said...

The concept of farmer's weekly bazaar was already there during my childhood. Later on intermediaries gaining ground everyday was a bazaar. This killed quality of the produce and also we have been paying hefty price. And meanwhile poor farmers remained poor. So now again this concept is gaining popularity. We have one such called ATHAVADI BAZAAR in Akurdi . Eveey Sunday evening. We get fresh direct from farms and the sellers are farmers themselves. We get at quite a reasonable price. We get everything from fruits to freah vegetables. I love shopping in this weekly bazaar.

Unknown said...

I'd been to a Farmers' market in Madison once, and completely get the drift. It was like a picnic outing for most people - tasting, buying fresh stuff, sitting on the grass eating icecream / popcorn etc. A really nice way to spend a holiday morning...We do have farmers' markets here in India, but they are overcrowded and noisy, and not so much fun to be in ........


tina said...

Wow! So many delicious looking foods. I would automatically migrate to the grilled chicken as I love chicken cooked on a spit.

D.Nambiar said...

Don't you love farmers' markets with all that colour and activity and all. And the produce is always fresh and attractive. It's been a while since I went to a farmer's market. Now, after having gone through your post, I think I'll plan the next visit to one.

Did you enjoy your stay in the Capital of Silicon Valley?