Golden Nugget tangerines
These are some of my favorite all-purpose tangerines to arrive for the season. Compared to other varieties, they are quite firm yet still very juicy and sweet. The sections are ideal for incorporating into a salad or for juicing. Looking for something special to make for Valentine’s Day? Start the day off right with breakfast in bed — Tangerine-Strawberry Crepes, the Fix of the Week on A7. Golden Nugget tangerines are just starting to come into season from a number of local growers. Available at the Tuesday Saanta Barbara, Wednesday Solvang, Thursday Carpinteria, Saturday Santa Barbara and Sunday Camino Real farmers markets. About $2.50 per pound.
Broccoli Spigarello
Commonly labeled as simply “spigarello” at the farmers markets, this heirloom vegetable is the parent of broccoli rabe. Originating in Italy, it is recognized by its long stem and slightly curled dark green leaves that are similar in appearance to broccoli leaves. Spigarello tends to be mild and sweet, absent of the bitterness found in some of its relatives like kale. Treated much like Tuscan kale, its central stem is often discarded while the leaves are used raw in salads, cooked as a wilted green or added to soups (spigarello imparts a nice flavor when blended into a roasted winter squash soup with celery root, onion and garlic). Traditionally, this green is paired with sharp anchovy-based dressings, bacon and sheep cheeses. Packed with nutrients, spigarello is available from Roots Organic Farm of Los Olivos and Jimenez Family Farm of Santa Ynez at the Tuesday Santa Barbara, Wednesday Solvang, Thursday Carpinteria and Saturday Santa Barbara markets. About $2.50 per bunch.
Fresh eggs
The eggs I’ve been getting lately from the farmers markets have had incredibly deep orange yolks. The additional nutrients the hens are consuming this time of year, by way of the grass, bugs, worms and grubs present at their cage-free farms, are evident in the color of the yolks. These fresh eggs are delicious in a breakfast scramble or omelet, quiche, or number of baked goods. With shells varying from white to brown to green, the eggs can be purchased from a number of local producers at all Santa Barbara Certified Farmers Markets. About $7 per dozen.
