Santa Monica is known for healthful food.
Well known restaurants like Rustic Canyon, Lulu, Huckleberry Café.
Famous chefs like Susan Feniger, Jeremy Fox, Miles Thompson.
Who pick up vegetables from the farmers’ market.
That set up near the promenade on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
In nearby Brentwood on Sundays.
There the farmers from the Central Valley display, sell wares.
Whatever is in season.
Avocados of every kind.
Reed, Haas and ones with edible skins.
Mushrooms of every shape, color.
Peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, carrots, potatoes, herbs.
Not the usual ones found at the store.
Ones plucked at the peak of flavor.
So delicious that it’s hard to return indoors to buy.
But, understand, there’s not one stall, but dozens to choose from.
Farmers who relish giving out cooking tips.
Tell you what to do with cactus nopales.
With green lemons, the shape of tiny cucumbers.
Housing caviar membranes.
Each a squirt of sour juice.
You can also get the best almonds, pecans in southern California.
With a crunch that leaves even specialty nut shops behind.
So, when in Santa Monica making plans.
You have a kitchen and some pans,
Buy fresh from farmers’ market stands.
Channel your inner chef, your skilled cooking hands.
Lynn Benjamin
November 14, 2022