Ripe Now! Eggplant I How to beat the heat at the farmers' market

Late summer is upon us, and there are eggplants of every shape, size, and color at market: long and skinny Japanese and Chinese eggplants, pale lavender Bianca Rosa, strikingly striped Listada, and teeny Thai eggplants that you’ll want to string like lights. Find these beauties and more at all three of our markets from Lucero Organic Farms, Oya Organic Farm, Lou Vue Farm, Full Belly Farm, Vang Family Farm, Riverdog Farms, and Happy Boy Farms.

Easy Eating: Eggplant is one versatile veggie and will embrace any flavor you offer it with open arms. Make this classic ratatouille from Alice Waters, or a Spicy Braised Eggplant Noodles in case the heat wave didn't make you sweat enough. Too many tomatoes on your hands? Toss the squishy ones in this Greek-style Eggplant dish.

Ensalada Talong

An end of summer Filipino dish, courtesy of La Cocina chef Aileen Suzara.

Check out La Cocina Cookbook. It's available now at the Ecology Center Store.

Ingredients

1 lb baby eggplant, peeled and halved lengthwise
3 tbsp olive oil
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 small red onion, cut into thin slices
3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tsp honey
1 tsp fish sauce (optional)
1 garlic clove, finely minced
1 chile de arbol, cut into thin slices
8 cherry tomatoes, halved

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400ºF
Toss the eggplant with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Spread in an even layer on a baking sheet and roast until golden brown and tender, 10-12 minutes.
Toss the onions in a bowl with 1 tbsp of lemon juice. Season with salt and let sit for 10 minutes to pickle.
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice, fish sauce, garlic and chile.
Drain the onions and toss with the warm roasted eggplant, tomatoes, and half the dressing or more if desired. Season with salt and pepper.

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This Week's Vendors

Saturday Downtown Berkeley

Blue Heron

Brokaw Ranch

Billy Bob Orchard

(they're back!)

Avalos Farm

Kaki Farm

Good Faith Farm

Golden Rule Organics

Lifefood Gardens

Flying Disc Ranch

Achadinha Cheese Co.

Little Fish

Kashiwase Farm

Orchard X

Stepladder Creamery

Happy Boy Farms

True Grass Farm

Solano Mushroom

Riverdog Farm

Smit Farms

Gattonelli

Frog Hollow Farm

Higher Land Coffee

Tony's Kettle Corn + Crepes

Andy's Thai

Tamales La Oaxaqueña

Cafe Zambala

Beber Almond Milk

Big Little Bowl

Your Granola Garden

Laguna Garden Bakery

Morell's Bread

Obour Hummus

Phoenix Pastificio

Bolani

Coracao

Primavera Tamales

Bun Bao

Peach Jamboree

All Things Sharp

Joodooboo Tofu (new!)

Tuesday South Berkeley

Kaki Farms

Avalos Farm

Massa Organics

Billy Bob Orchard

(they're back!)

Oya Organics

Blue Heron Farm

Brokaw Ranch

Blossom Bluff Orchard

Lifefood Gardens

Full Belly Farm

Good Faith Farm

(every other week)

Lucero Organics

Solano Mushroom

Dirty Girl Produce

Kashiwase Farm

Stepladder Creamery

Riverdog Farm

Smit Farms

Frog Hollow Farm

Little Fish Co.

Queen of Sheeba Honey

Phoenix Pastificio

Bolani

The Fruit Tree

Andy's Thai

Donna's Tamales

Peach Jamboree

Three Stone Hearth

Flying Disc

Thursday North Berkeley

Little Fish

Pomo Tierra Orchard

Massa Organics

Golden Rule Organics

E&H Mushroom Farm

Riverdog Farm

Frog Hollow Farm

Happy Boy Farms

Phoenix Pastificio

Big Little Bowl

Donna's Tamales

Morell's Bread

Upland Apiary

All Things Sharp

Learn More About the Berkeley Farmers' Market

How to Beat the Heat at the Farmers' Market

Heat waves are significantly impacting California farmers and farmers' markets. Continuing to shop at farmers' markets, rain or shine, is the best way to support them but it is important to do so safely.

Tips to Shop Safely in the Heat

Plan to shop before or after peak heat.
Stay hydrated! Pack a water bottle.
Wear a hat or bring an umbrella for shade.
Need a water refill or shade? Head to the information booth or let a market staff know.

Treats to Keep You Cool

Snack on fresh cucumbers, or pick up a cold treat! Beber Almond milk offers popsicles and Frog Hollow has delicious ice cream sandwiches. Smit Farms, Pomo Tierra Orchard, The Fruit Tree, or Big Little Bowl for an ice cold juice.

Thirsty Thursdays

North Berkeley Farmers' Market

Thursdays, 3-7pm

There are new experiences popping up every week, right next to the Thursday Farmers' Market. Stop by on September 15 for a Kitchen on Fire Food Demo, live music courtesy of the Berkeley High Jazz Band, and – of course – ice cold drinks.

See you there!

Learn More

Short Film Recommendation: Chasing Arrows

In 2019, the Ecology Center co-founded the Alliance of Mission-Based Recyclers (AMBR). AMBR recently partnered with Emmy Award-winning Peak Plastic Foundation to set the record straight on how petrochemical and packaging industries are overwhelming and overtaxing the recycling system.

Check out AMBR’s new short film, “Chasing Arrows: The Truth About Recycling,” to learn how the plastics industry is trashing recycling with non-recyclable plastics.