The UCSC Farm & Garden Market Cart is open for the season! Once again the ultra-fresh harvests from the hilltop farm and garden are brought to the base of the campus on Tuesdays and Fridays (noon-6pm) to tempt the Westside community of organophiles. “We are currently rich in greens,” proclaims Center for Agroecology spokeswoman Martha Brown. “The late season this year has served up all manner of lettuces—butter, Little Gems—as well as arugula, baby spinach, kales and chards.” Weighed and wrapped by the current crop of UCSC agroecology apprentices, the debut harvests also offer specialty summer squashes, lots of Asian greens and the ever-popular floral bouquets. Last week I spotted tubs of plump blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and even some rare mulberries amidst the bouquets of sage, bay and cilantro. Created from Farm & Garden produce, your evening salad will exude the literal flavors of the Santa Cruz Mountains in every bite. Every Tuesday and Friday afternoon through early November, at the corner of Bay and High streets. Free parking!
THE PRINCE OF THE PEA You say “chickpea,” I say “garbanzo”—but whatever you call it that versatile little legume that powers earthy foods from falafels to hummus is about to be honored at the only-@-Joze Chick Pea Festival this Sunday, June 26, 4-8pm. The fest happens at 418 Front Street in downtown Santa Cruz and will feature the wild wok of Jozseph Schultz, who promises to stuff the masses with such chickpea gastrophilia as Salvadorean Chickpea Mushroom tamales, chickpea edamame, South Indian dosas, Parsi chickpea cassoulet with chicken, Mexican garbanzo cake and much more. Tickets are yours online at http://www.indiajoze.com or by calling 831.325.3633.
THE BOOK ON DELICIOUS Yes, there really is a cafe tucked inside the Capitola Book Café, and it is now a completely in-house affair. The freshly made dark roast coffee, from Verve beans, is classic. Rich, almost creamy/salty, this coffee treats caffeine with real respect. In addition to fine pastries, croissants, scones and myriad chocolate possibilities, Capitola Book Cafe also reaches into the domain of lunchtime panini, salads and quiches—all of which can be enjoyed with various designer beers as well as locally made premium wines. Another reason why literacy will never die.
HOT PLATES This week we remain hopelessly devoted to the kumamoto oysters available on Monday evenings at Soif. The mignonette is addictive all by itself, but it’s the oysters—chilled, sweet and faintly briny—that sweep us away, especially paired with some cool white from the Loire.
Send tips about food, wine and new dining discoveries to Christina Waters at xtina@cruzio.com. Read her blog at http://christinawaters.com.
