Ripe Now! Sweet Potatoes I New Faces at the Farmers' Market

One veggie that brings us a sense of comfort as the end of daylight time nears and temperatures dip, is the sweet, starchy sweet potato! Fun fact: the sweet potato is actually not closely related to the common potato. It is a part of the morning glory family (think vine with white/purple flowers). An even more fun fact: we have a brand new vendor who brings you 3 different varieties of these babies: ruby-Red Garnets, Purple Marasaki, and orange Covington Sweets. Welcome, Sea to Sky Farm!

Easy Eating: To fuel yourself for the day ahead, whip up a stack Sweet Potato Pancakes. These are as nutritious as they are delicious. For a cozy dinner in, try a few Wild Rice-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes, or a Sweet Potato Bisque with Crispy White Beans? A quick and easy Sheet-Pan Tofu and Sweet Potatoes is always a possibility too now that Joodooboo Tofu is at all three Berkeley Farmers’ Markets. Finally, you can’t toss around the words sweet potatoes without talking about Sweet Potato Pie.

Storage: Store in a dry, cool space and avoid washing before storing to prevent moisture from causing rot. Storing next to onions will cause them to ripen faster.

Molasses, Miso, & Maple Candied Sweet Potatoes

Courtesy of Bryant Terry

Serves 4-6.

Ingredients

2 1/2 lbs. sweet potatoes peeled and cut into 1/2–inch rounds
2 tbs. toasted sesame oil
1 (2-inch) cinnamon stick
2 tbsp. molasses
1 tsp. tamari
2 tbsp. pure maple syrup
1 heaping tbsp. white or yellow miso
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tbs. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 tsp. grated lemon zest
6 tbs. filtered water

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425 °F.
In a large bowl, toss the yams with 1 tablespoon of the sesame oil. Spread the yams on a parchment-lined or well-greased baking sheet in a single layer and roast for 50 minutes, turning over with a fork after 25 minutes.
Remove the yams from the oven and lower the heat to 375°F.
Place the cinnamon stick at the bottom of a 2-quart baking dish, and add the yams in layers. Set aside.
In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the molasses, tamari, maple syrup, miso, orange juice, lemon juice, lemon zest, water, and the remaining tablespoon of sesame oil. Pour over the yams. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes, thoroughly basting the sweet potatoes every 10 minutes.

Donate to help keep our farmers' markets going strong!

This Week's Vendors

Saturday Downtown Berkeley

Blue Heron

Brokaw Ranch

Billy Bob Orchard

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

Queen of Sheeba Honey

Phoenix Pastificio

Bolani

Coracao

Primavera Tamales

Three Stone Hearth

Bun Bao

All Things Sharp

Joodooboo Tofu

Tuesday South Berkeley

Kaki Farms

Avalos Farm

Massa Organics

Billy Bob Orchard

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

Sea to Sky Farm (new!)

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

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

Sea to Sky Farm (new!)

Phoenix Pastificio

Big Little Bowl

Donna's Tamales

Morell's Bread

Upland Apiary

All Things Sharp

The Fruit Tree (new!)

Learn More About the Berkeley Farmers' Market

Fresh Faces at the North and South Berkeley Farmers' Markets

Check out the following vendors new to our markets on Thursdays and Fridays!

Sea to Sky Farm: This woman-owned, CCOF certified organic farm is coming to us from beautiful Santa Cruz, CA. They'll be arriving with 3 different varieties of sweet potatoes and unique fall herbs—just in time for the holidays. You can find them every week at the North Berkeley Farmers' Market and every other week at the South Berkeley market.

The Fruit Tree: The Fruit Tree has joined our North Berkeley market! They're 100% vegan and use only organic ingredients to make their fresh juices, almond milk, and delicious baked goods.

Joodooboo Tofu: You can stock up on fresh tofu and banchan at all three Berkeley Farmers' Markets now. Their tofu is topping SF Eater lists, and has been described by the New York Times as "a generous creamy wobble." Not something you want to miss!

Kids Art Table

South Berkeley Farmers' Market

Every Tuesday, 3–5:30 pm

Did you know that the South Berkeley Farmers' Market has a Kids Art Table? Head our way after school for coloring, crafting, and hopefully, grocery shopping! All are welcome.

How to Use an Induction Cooktop

Sauteeing on an induction cooktop can be tricky, but it can be done with practice. Watch Chef Nite Yun prepare cha ban lai on an induction hob and get some electrification inspiration!

Want to start your electrification journey? Sign up for East Bay Community Energy’s Induction Cooktop Loaner Program, either in our Resource Center or online.