As the days grow longer and warmer, the change of seasons is evident at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: citrus and winter squash give way to tender spring greens, strawberries, and asparagus. This is a rewarding time to be a market regular, because shopping is like a weekly hunt for new treasures of spring. Snap peas and fresh goat cheese are the latest, and before long, early stone fruits will be here. We’ve put together some menu ideas to make your Easter and Passover celebrations farm-fresh and sustainable.
See our spring seasonality synopsis >
Pasture-Raised Eggs
Chickens start laying more eggs in the spring, and indeed, the egg serves as the perfect symbol for the season, representing rebirth and renewal. The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market only allows pasture-raised eggs, which can be found at Eatwell Farm (Saturday) and Rolling Oaks Ranch (Saturday). Beautiful au naturel or dyed, these eggs come in a variety of colors, from creamy white to latte brown to Ameraucana blue.
The perfect hard-boiled egg: Place the eggs in a single layer in a pan with enough cold water to cover by 1 inch. Bring the water to a boil, then remove from the heat, cover, and let stand for 12 minutes. Run the eggs under cold tap water or place in an ice water bath until cooled to room temperature.
Natural egg dyes: Did you know you can use farmers market produce like cabbage, beets, and onion skins to create a rainbow of chemical-free egg dyes? Check out our Guide to Natural Egg Dyes, which includes a useful color guide.
The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market Easter Basket
Check out these Easter basket treats from the farmers market—just add a basket and a bow!
Apple caramels from Little Apple Granola
Candied citrus and hot cross buns from June Taylor Company
Treats from Batter Bakery: honey vanilla bunnies, lavender sea salt bunnies, Easter shortbread, carrot cakes, strawberry buttermilk upside down cake, Meyer lemon bars
A rainbow of honey straws from Marshall’s Farm Natural Honey
Mixed dried fruit from Everything Under the Sun
Colorful chocolate apricots and grapes from Bella Viva Orchards
Apple chips from Hidden Star Orchards
Blanched almonds from G. L. Alfieri
Tender baby carrots from McGinnis Ranch
Wheatgrass from Brooks and Daughters
Naturally colorful pasture-raised eggs from Eatwell Farm and Rolling Oaks Ranch
Easter Brunch Recipes
Celebrate the flavors of spring with these seasonally inspired offerings from the CUESA recipe archive. For more seasonal recipes and holiday inspiration, follow us on Pinterest.
Brunch Basics
Basic Frittata | Amie Bailey, Williams-Sonoma
Asparagus, Leek, and Goat Cheese Strata | Adam Timney, Starbelly
French Toast with Lemon-Ricotta Filling and Fresh Citrus Compote | Thy Tran, Executive Chef, CUESA
Elegantly Simple Deviled Eggs | Sandra Keros, Healthy Focus
Pea Shoot Salad with Fava Beans | Kimberley Hasselbrink, The Year in Food
Deviled Eggs with Quick-Pickled Asparagus | Jodi Liano, San Francisco Cooking School
Strawberry Shortcake with Goat Cheese Cream and Balsamic Reduction | Susanne Stampke, Pastry Chef, The Plant Café Organic
Citrus-Strawberry Muffins | Jen Musty, Batter Bakery
Cocktail: Elementary, My Dear Watsonville | Greg Lindgren, Rye
Spring Greens
Radish, Rhubarb, and Strawberry Salad | Louisa Shafia, The New Persian Kitchen
Spinach Salad a la Grecque | Joyce Goldstein, cookbook author
Chickpea and Dandelion Zuppa | Christophe Hille, formerly of A16
Tender Spring Green Salad with Almonds, Radishes, Chèvre, and Kumquat | Leif Hedendal, local chef
Kumquat and Basil Salad with Shiro Miso Dressing | Pooja Mottl, Pooja’s Way
Delta Asparagus and Frisée Salad | Francis Hogan, Bluestem Brasserie
Tips for a Sustainable Passover
Also known as Chag Ha-Aviv (“holiday of spring”), Passover is a time to acknowledge and celebrate the new season. There are many ways to make your Seder plates more sustainable, such as using fresh, local farmers market ingredients for karpas, maror, and charoset. Check out Hazon’s Healthy, Sustainable Passover Resources.
Seder Plate Shopping List
Get all your seder plate ingredients at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market:
Maror (bitter herb)
Horseradish: Knoll Farms
Charoset (chopped fruits and nuts)
Nuts: G. L. Alfieri Farms, Glashoff Farms, Bella Viva Orchards
Apples: Hidden Star Orchards, K & J Orchards
Dates: Flying Disc Ranch
Beitzah (hard-boiled egg)
Eggs: Eatwell Farm, Rolling Oaks Ranch
Karpas (non-bitter herb)
Parsley: County Line Harvest, Eatwell Farm
Z’roa (roasted bone)
Lamb shank: Stemple Creek Ranch
On Saturday, look for special Passover offerings from Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen.
No-Rise Passover Recipes
Charoset | Evan Bloom, Wise Sons Jewish Delicatessen
Turkish Lamb with Green Garlic (Kodrero con Ajo Fresco) | Joyce Goldstein, Sephardic Flavors
Grilled Leg of Goat with Charoset Stuffing and Fava Bean, Parsley, Arugula, and Frisée Salad with “Four Glasses of Wine” Vinaigrette | Scott Youkilis, Maverick Restaurant
Spicy Carrots | Sherri Brooks Vinton, author of Put ‘em Up
Snap Pea Soup with Mint and Lemon | Kimberley Hasselbrink, The Year in Food
Braised Green Cabbage | Molly Stevens, cookbook author
Warm Strawberry Salad | Daniel Clayton and Trace Leighton, Origen
Article Topics:
Celebrations
Holiday