Last weekend, my friends Laura and Rob invited me to accompany them to the Alemany Farmers Market in SF. Now a lot of people know about the famous, super fancy, $4-per-peach, Ferry Building Farmers Market here- which is a lovely spot as well- but the Alemany Market is an older, grittier, funkier market, which of course in many ways makes it better than the boring ol' Ferry Building.

As a San Franciscan and lover of all things SF, I was interested to learn a little about the tumultuous history of the Alemany Market. Started in 1943, it moved to its present site in 1947- but only after a protracted battle apparently perpetrated by the Retail Grocers Association. The Alemany Market is considered the "Grand Daddy" of Farmers  Markets and is credited with spawning a movement of positive exchange between California's urban and rural areas. Following the early model that the Alemany Market provided, today there are around 200 Certified Farmers Markets in California, supporting small farmers, encouraging consumption of local, seasonal, and sustainable produce, and helping to stave off over-industrialization and mechanization of crops.



This is all super interesting, but let's be honest. The only thing that truly matters at a Farmers Market is: am I getting better produce here? And the answer an unqualified YES. They have interesting offerings, like the sweet limes shown above. Cutting into these limes reminds you realize how genetically modified most of our foods are. These babies have a gnarly, uneven flesh with tons of seeds. The flavor is complex and lies somewhere between a lime and a meyer lemon- and they made great mojitos. This particular stand also had a strange fruit that I had never seen before- which Rob told me was called the Hand of Buddha. Just when I thought I knew everything!

Tasting bites and bits of fruit from all of the friendly vendors, we couldn't resist buying the incredibly sweet and perfectly ripe freestone peaches. This delicious sales tactic also convinced us to share a half flat of strawberries that were some of the best strawberries I've had in as long as I can remember, and $8 for a huge amount (note to self: next time, buy them right before leaving so we don't have to lug them around!) We just ate the last of them today, and I miss them already. We've been spoiled by these last few mornings eating up the strawberries with yogurt and granola.



We also bought some of these gorgeous mushrooms. The prices are fantastic and the mushroom quality was impeccable. They were clean and flavorful. The women at the stand were so helpful in describing the different mushrooms so we got some interesting ones to try out. I got the pink oysters, took them home, cut them up, and sauteed them until crispy with a little fresh thyme, then added them to some couscous. It was an easy and delicious way to showcase the mushrooms and add much-needed pizazz to boring ol' couscous.




Before leaving, Laura and Rob were kind enough to let me in on a secret- the best empanada I've had outside of South America. Fresh, tender, and oh-so-tasty and toasty, with a chimichurri-like sauce over the top. I may have to go back this weekend just to get one! Oh, who am I kidding. Three. OK OK! Seven.

In the Venn diagram of things that are interesting and that I did not partake in, you will find the following things: You can buy live chickens there. There is a big fresh fish and seafood area. There are Asian vendors selling all stacks of chicken, quail, and other eggs. A guy sometimes has extremely discounted new Le Creuset pots for sale.

The Alemany Farmers Market occurs every Saturday at 100 Alemany Street, near Bayshore Blvd, just below Bernal Heights. I'm going to post all of the lovely things I was inspired to make with my bounty over the next couple of days.