me a few years back with my favorite food, artichokes.
Although I grew up in Shaker Heights, OH, a suburb of Cleveland, my parents moved to San Diego when I was a senior in College. Although I loved my experience in Cleveland and I think I was lucky enough to go to one of the best high schools in America, I never complain about getting to go to California to visit my folks. It's become a tradition for my mom and I to visit the farmers market in Hillcrest, an artsy neighborhood in downtown San Diego. It is simply, the best farmers market I have ever been to. There are gorgeous fruits and vegetables lining the road as far as the eye can see. Since almost everything is almost always in season in Southern California, there is always an abundance. The market also has vendors selling jewelry and clothing, prepared foods, sweets, sauces, dips, dressings, coffee, spices, juices, and nuts. Also, everything else. It is an amazing place that my mom and I usually spend a few hours in every time we go. The best part is that almost every single food vendor has SAMPLES! They're not stingy either. Our tradition is to not eat anything before we go because we are always stuffed by the time we get out of there. We always buy a few things, but it is the irresistible samples that really get us. The food is fresh and delicious, the vendors are local and friendly. It is impossible to say no. I've decided to finally do a round-up and share some of my favorite must-have items. I wish I could get them in New York! They are not to be missed if you find yourself in San Diego on a Sunday afternoon.
After Getting coffee, this is where my mom and I start our day. Poppa's sells fresh shucked oysters, fish tacos, clams, uni (sea urchin), and other fresh fish that you can take home. I almost always get a fish taco because they are so delicious. They come with all the fixings and you eat them hot, as soon as the fish goes from the grill into the corn tortilla. I did get a fish taco on my last visit but I also decided to get the uni. I had never had it so fresh, right out of the shell. It was an amazing thing to eat: creamy and briny with a subtly sweet finish. I'd also never eaten so much uni in my life for just $10. That is just not something that can happen in New York.
Bitchin Sauce can be a dip, spread, sauce, or dressing. It doesn't matter. The point is it tastes AMAZING. At the farmers market they let you sample it with carrots or tortilla chips. At home, I put it on everything or just eat it with a spoon. Whatever. And IT'S GOOD FOR YOU! It's vegan and gluten free and made from almonds and nutritional yeast and it tastes crazy delicious. My favorite is the chipotle, but they're all great. It's probably a good thing they don't sell it in NY or I'd OD on it. Oh wait, I just found out they ship from their website....uh oh.
image from here
Here comes my real crack. This garlic spread blew my mind when I first tasted it. It has the consistency of mayonnaise but it is made from garlic blended with flax oil. It is almost inexplicably creamy and somehow the taste of garlic is not overwhelming at all. The flavor choices are endless; my current obsession is sun-dried tomato and jalapeno. My mom is crushing on the pesto. They're all insanely good and good for you. OMEGAS!!! Use it as a dip, eat it with your eggs, mix it with quinoa, spread it on a sandwich. The possibilities are endless. Use it with a can of (wild, sustainable) tuna in place of mayo and you will never look at tuna salad the same way. TRUE STORY.
image from here
This is the best guac I have ever tasted.
It is creamy and chunky with the perfect amount of tomato, cilantro, onion, and acid.
It is magic in a container.
And I have been to Mexico and California and that place in Sunset Park. So there.
Photo from here.
Tomatoes
All the tomatoes here are probably amazing because it is San Diego. There is one place that samples a tomato salad with basil or cilantro and it is like heaven in a dixie cup. When you eat tomatoes like that you realize you've been eating shitty tomatoes your whole life, but didn't know it until that moment.
These guys make sauerkrauts,kimchi's,pickles,and kombucha. Their flavors rely on seasonal vegetables and everything I've tried there is great. Last time I tasted the nettle kraut and loved it. They make their kraut and kimchi naturally and organically, but their products still pack a ton of punch. I would buy from them every week if I could.
Bonus Shout Outs:
TRUFFLE & FIG JAM. Yep, I ate that. A whole jar of that. Mostly with a spoon. And I felt fancy as hell. OMG it was so good.
Greek Yogurt Guy
Right before my mom and I left the market, I sampled greek yogurt from a vendor I had never seen before. He made the yogurt himself from sheep on his farm. It was the most delicious greek yogurt I had ever tasted. That chobani stuff (which I love) doesn't even compare. It was thick and creamy and so fresh that I could have eaten a whole bowl of it plain. I wish I could remember the vendor's name. I will definitely be looking for him next time I am there.
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