Farmers Markets

 Farmers Market's are one of my biggest loves no matter what city I live in. Nothing is better to me than a warm California day and riding my bike (with the detachable basket of course) to my local FM. I have been really blessed to have had 2 of the best ones within riding distance from me. For many years it was the Campbell market. Now it is the Hillcrest, San Diego one. I have driven out of my way to try many other markets depending on the day of the week. I love that in San Diego there is one for every day of the week in some nearby area. No matter what the area there are always colorful people to meet and inspirational stories and products.

I feel best when I am supporting my local businesses and farms. 

 It can't get any fresher than your local farmers market unless you grow it yourself. Unfortunately my new place has no real garden area or you can bet I would be growing some good stuff. I did manage to plant some key herbs in my front area.

So every market I have been too seems to have something unique to offer. In Campbell I was hooked on The Oaxacan Kitchen. Best mole negro tamales and salsa I have ever had. Man I miss them!
I miss my egg guy too, they are way more expensive in SD for some reason.   

The real person I miss is Dominique and Twist cafe. I used to spend almost every Sunday after the market on his patio at Twist sharing life stories and drinking Mimosa's.
Twist unfortunately closed December of 2011. However Dominique is opening a new place up the street soon. 




Golden Hill reminds me of a mini San Francisco. Their Farmers Market borders South Park and is ridiculously small but considerably less expensive than the Hillcrest one. 
 
DO NOT I repeat do not try the Mushroom guys fermented elixirs without being close to a bathroom.

The unique vendor here is the Gluten Free Pasta Place. They have regular gluten pasta's as well. I purchased a spinach garlic one.  I will keep you posted on how that is.
I also picked up popcicle makers from the Tupperware lady that's there. I love popcicles and want to make my own with fresh fruit.

Golden Hill FM is nice because it's not crowded. It's on Saturdays which is in direct competition of the main favorite one in Little Italy. I love the Little Italy one it goes down a hill and has breathtaking Ocean Views, but pretty much the same vendors as the Hillcrest one.


So onto my favorite and also closest, the Hillcrest Farmers Market *swoon*  


Every Sunday you can find me here. I always get my green fix on with these juicers there is always a line. I get a 32oz jug for the week for $7 or $8 if you don't bring your refill jug. It's loaded with kale and healthy stuff. I have yet to find kale anything that I like except for this so that's how I get my kale on.

<--This is my favorite Pesto Place. It's like $10 a bag but lasts forever and is really delicious with simple organic ingredients. I like to make portabello pizza's with these: clean out the mushroom fins, olive oil, salt and pepper then a layer of pesto. When I wasn't Paleo I used to then put ricotta, slivered basil, fresh tomato and top with mozzarella. Bake 350 for 8 then broil till the cheese was bubbly. Now I top with whatever non cheese item usually tomato and basil or spinach, sometimes chicken or sausage too but always one of her flavored pesto's.

 I have a sweet tooth. This lady is my super hero. Paleo desserts, yep, heaven. I get 3 for $10. I like to freeze them for emergencies.

It seems like they keep adding new vendors. I almost pee'd my pants when I saw this Gluten free pupusa place 2 weeks ago. I LOVE pupusa's I had no idea they were gluten free. I may have passed it by in my depressed shopping state (I get depressed shopping because of my gluten allergy). Anyway I know this isn't Paleo but I am a firm believer in a cheat meal once a week so this was it! I had a Loroco and cheese. Loroco is a delicious exotic flower, native of El Salvador.  It is a natural aphrodisiac that contains vitamins A, B and C, besides calcium and iron. It is rich in fiber. It is also low in calories. It was delicious stuffed with the traditional cabbage that comes with them!

 My favorite meat place is Sonrise Ranch. I am hooked on their french apple sausage. It's amazing with eggs!



 They are right next to the Uni, oyster, and fish place. People really love that uni. 

 This creperie lady came from Africa and is selling these crepes to build schools in Africa. I did support her cause and purchased one recently. It tasted like a pancake not a crepe but there is always a crazy line there so glad everyone is also supporting her noble cause.

This exotic fruit guy is a character that's for sure

 The Spanish Deli is where I found the delicious gluten free bread I mentioned on an earlier post.   
 
The Thai food place is fun and really tasty too. It's exhibition cooking so it's quite a show! 


Last Sunday there was a new rotisserie chicken truck selling Free Range Organic Roasted chickens for $12. Now that is a deal. It was delicious and the guys working it were funny. I really enjoyed it cold the next day! I don't have a picture I forgot my phone I hope they are there this weekend!

So the North Park market may actually be my closest one in the opposite direction. It is really small and on Thursdays. If for some reason I can't make it to the Hillcrest one I will go here. 
But not my favorite one. I did pick up some new sausage from another local farm but I have not tried it either.  SOON!