Ever tried green garlic? This early spring crop is garlic’s younger sibling; it’s simply garlic that’s been harvested early. They are easy to confuse with green onions, so be sure to look for thicker stems and purple hues along the bulbs to distinguish them. They are milder and nuttier than mature, cured garlic and much easier to work with. Use it from end to stem, just as you would a scallion. Just be sure to trim the roots! 

Green garlic actually started out as a secondary crop. Farmers would pull garlic early to thin their overall garlic crop, and due to its popularity resulted in a niche delicacy in the culinary world. At the Berkeley Farmers' Markets, you can find them right now at Avalos, Riverdog, Oya, and Full Belly Farms. 

Easy Eating: For a savory start to your day, top your eggs with a Green Garlic Salsa Verde. A slice of Full Belly Farm’s Green Garlic Toast alongside a hot cup of Big Little Bowl’s Mixed Bean & Veggie soup makes for a nourishing lunch. For a hearty and warming dinner recipe, flip a coin to choose between a Green Garlic Daal or Green Garlic Potato Salad. You can also enjoy green garlic year-round with this Pickled Green Garlic recipe.
Spaghetti with Green Garlic
Adapted from Alice Waters
Ingredients
  • Salt
  • 1 pound spaghetti
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 heads green garlic thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • Small pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and add the spaghetti. Cook until al dente, reserving 1 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic, parsley, red pepper flakes, and 1/4 cup of water. Cover and sweat, stirring occasionally, until soft, adding more water if necessary to keep the garlic from caramelizing too much.
  3. Add the cooked pasta to the garlic mixture and toss well to combine. Add some pasta cooking water if necessary to bring the dish to a creamy consistency. Serve with more olive oil and the minced tops of the green garlic, if desired.
This Week's Vendors
Saturday Downtown Berkeley

All Things Sharp
Blue Heron
Brokaw Ranch
Avalos Farm
Kaki Farm
Good Faith Farm
Golden Rule Organics
Lifefood Gardens
Flying Disc Ranch
Achadinha Cheese Co.
Little Fish
Kashiwase Farm
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
Wild West Ferments
Sika Ethiopian Specialties
Tuesday South Berkeley

Kaki Farms
Massa Organics
Oya Organics
Brokaw Ranch
Blossom Bluff Orchard
Lifefood Gardens
Avalos Farm
Full Belly Farm
Flying Disc Ranch
Good Faith Farm
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
Tamales La Oaxaqueña (every other week)
Sika Ethiopian Specialties
(every other week)
Andy's Thai
Donna's Tamales
Thursday North Berkeley

All Things Sharp
Little Fish
Happy Boy Farms
Green Thumb Organics
Massa Organics
Chinchiolo Family Farms
Golden Rule Organics
E&H Mushroom Farm
Riverdog Farm
Frog Hollow Farm
Phoenix Pastificio
Big Little Bowl
Donna's Tamales
All Things Sharp
Morell's Bread
Upland Apiary
Crane Creek Growers NEW!
Sika Ethiopian Specialties NEW!
Good Faith Farm
(every other week)
Get Involved
Ecology Center's 52nd Earth Day
A Birth Day Celebration & Members' Gathering

Thursday, April 21, 2022
7- 8:30pm PT
Livestream

Earth Day 2022 marks the 52nd anniversary of world-wide Earth Day and of your local Ecology Center. Our history runs deep, and our commitment remains strong in 2022.

Join us for an exclusive members-only gathering. We have a colorful and engaging event planned for you. You'll find out what the Food and Farming team accomplished last year and what we have planned for 2022.
Current members attend for free. Now is a great time to become a member, renew your membership, or make a donation toward the important work we have ahead of us in 2022. Your contribution helps keep our programs, including the operations of the Berkeley Farmers' Markets, running strong!

We look forward to gathering with you as a community behind a powerful vision–of sustainable cities, empowered, resilient communities, zero-waste and zero-toxics, access to healthy foods, sustainable resource use, and a safe and stable climate.
Save 20% at the Bi-annual Member’s Sale!
Join us for our bi-annual member's sale, when member's receive 20% off their entire in-store purchase!* For 3 days, members enjoy 3 days of savings, April 22, 23, and 24, from 11a to 6p.

This is a great opportunity to stock up on your everyday essentials, and goodies for everyone in your life. We can sign up new members and renew lapsed members during check out!

We are continually grateful to our community. Shopping locally is critical, and we thank you for your support.

*Valid for in-store purchases only, offers and other discounts can not be combined.
Berkeley's Free Compost Closes the Loop
Did you know that you help to create the compost available at the Berkeley Marina? This free soil amendment starts off as the properly sorted food scraps and yard waste from Berkeley’s curbside green carts and gets repurposed as a nutrient-rich resource for you and your garden!

In our most recent blog, we set out to explore how the free compost at the Marina models circularity and debunks the myth that it’s not safe for growing food. Read to learn more about why this free, locally-sourced compost is perfect for your spring gardening. 
All Things Sharp Market Absence: A Message from Eric Weiss
"All Things Sharp will be on break 
starting Thursday, April 28, and returning Thursday, June 2. Elective surgery, nothing serious! There is a mandatory 'rest period.'

"Thank you for your understanding and patience. I look forward to seeing you when I return."

—Eric E. Weiss, Owner of All Things Sharp
Masks Strongly Encouraged at Market
The Berkeley Farmers' Markets will continue to adhere to the City of Berkeley Public Health, CDPH, and the CDC's recommendations, for our mask requirements and policies. Given the current recommendations, masks are not required for attendees to enter the Berkeley Farmers' Market.

While it is not required, we respectfully ask those who are unvaccinated, or partially vaccinated to continue to wear a mask for the ongoing safety of our community.
Farmers' Market Hours & Locations
EBT and WIC Fruit & Vegetable checks gladly accepted and Market Match incentives distributed at all markets.
South Berkeley
Tuesdays, 2 - 6:30 pm
Adeline St. at 63rd St., 
Berkeley
North Berkeley
Thursdays, 3 - 7 pm 
Shattuck Ave. at Rose St., Berkeley
Downtown Berkeley
Saturdays, 10 am - 3 pm
Center St. at MLK Jr. Way, Berkeley
 
[Photo credit: Berkeley Farmers' Market Staff]