San Francisco Heart of the City
Open on Wednesday and Sunday from 8-5, the "Heart of the City" farmer's market is located near the UN plaza and City Hall, on Market Street between 7th and 8th. Accessible by Bart and MUNI, this market makes it easy to find some great produce, flowers and even fresh fish!
Fans of Asian veggies can pick up bok choy, Chinese gourds, long beans (crazy foot long string beans), ong-choi, tatsoi (a yummy spinach like green), eggplant and much more. Even better though is that in true Chinese shopping style, you can go back and forth amongst MANY vendors to find the freshest cilantro or Chinese broccoli. I have vivid memories of my grandmother picking through the stalls throughout Chinatown to find the perfect pale green, bitter melon for her entrees and soups. Try this melon with black bean sauce and chicken or beef for a very tasty and savory stir-fry meal.
While I did not spend much time at the one seafood vendor, I saw many Chinese moms and grandmothers perusing the red snapper, striped bass, scallops, shrimp and tiger prawns. The fish looked terrific with clear eyes and no 'fishy' smell. I could not get myself to pick up a fish, but help yourself... the selection is quite varied.
I remember hearing that Heart of the City was a good place to find Asian veggies and fresh fish. That part is true, but as Maggie will probably tell you later, there are is also an orchid stand and two flower vendors, one of which was quite special with a wide variety of unique flowers.
Phan Farms Certified Organic
"Heart" has a small organic representation, but I really liked Phan Farm's Certified Organic stand. They carry a great blend of Asian and American veggies and herbs including hot house grown tomatoes, basil, fennel, red and white potatoes and carrots. Amidst the Chinese squash, "guy choy", green onions and garlic, I found REAL baby bok choy... not the light green stuff that they sell at Mollie Stone's and Safeway... nope, the true baby bok choy with white stems, deep green leaves and stalks taller than 3-4 inches. Try my simple steam/sauté recipe for a quick and easy way to prepare this veggie.
Fans of Asian veggies can pick up bok choy, Chinese gourds, long beans (crazy foot long string beans), ong-choi, tatsoi (a yummy spinach like green), eggplant and much more. Even better though is that in true Chinese shopping style, you can go back and forth amongst MANY vendors to find the freshest cilantro or Chinese broccoli. I have vivid memories of my grandmother picking through the stalls throughout Chinatown to find the perfect pale green, bitter melon for her entrees and soups. Try this melon with black bean sauce and chicken or beef for a very tasty and savory stir-fry meal.
While I did not spend much time at the one seafood vendor, I saw many Chinese moms and grandmothers perusing the red snapper, striped bass, scallops, shrimp and tiger prawns. The fish looked terrific with clear eyes and no 'fishy' smell. I could not get myself to pick up a fish, but help yourself... the selection is quite varied.
I remember hearing that Heart of the City was a good place to find Asian veggies and fresh fish. That part is true, but as Maggie will probably tell you later, there are is also an orchid stand and two flower vendors, one of which was quite special with a wide variety of unique flowers.
Phan Farms Certified Organic
"Heart" has a small organic representation, but I really liked Phan Farm's Certified Organic stand. They carry a great blend of Asian and American veggies and herbs including hot house grown tomatoes, basil, fennel, red and white potatoes and carrots. Amidst the Chinese squash, "guy choy", green onions and garlic, I found REAL baby bok choy... not the light green stuff that they sell at Mollie Stone's and Safeway... nope, the true baby bok choy with white stems, deep green leaves and stalks taller than 3-4 inches. Try my simple steam/sauté recipe for a quick and easy way to prepare this veggie.
posted by SF_PEARL at 8:43 AM
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