bread, topped with a butter and sugar spread), pistachio bread, pandesal (sweet Filipino rolls with moringa oleifer leav
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When they discovered it had closed down, they decided to carry on the delicious tradition themselves, name and all, here in Central California. Pastry chef, Mark
RIVER
Sanchez, makes a menu of traditional items out of his at-home bakery, using simple ingredients for goods like pineapple crown bread, ensaimada (their most popular bread, topped with a butter and sugar spread), pistachio bread, pandesal (sweet Filipino rolls with
PARK After a cold, rainy and foggy winter, folks in Central California are welcoming the sunshine and mild temps of spring. And with the gorgeous weather comes a slew of colorful produce, adorning the local farmers markets.
moringa oleifer leaves), and soft buttery Spanish bread.
Other sweet-tooth items throughout the market included fresh homemade pocket pies, as well as nuts, seeds and candy from Golden State Snacks, coffee from Two Cities Coffee Roasters, and homemade local fruit jams by Marilyn & Me. Owner, Marilyn Gonsalves, highlighted the fact that all of her jams (and there were a LOT!) were created from local fruit, “because why not? It’s all
Farmers markets in the Central Valley are unlike markets
right here!” she said proudly.
in any other part of the country. The farmers here grow more than 350 different types of crops—with nearly a third of the nation’s food originating in Fresno County alone. Any shopper will quickly find that in the span of a few short blocks, in-season fruits and vegetables are at every turn, creating a rainbow of flavors and ingredients for the dinner table.
The south side of the market is where the fruits and veggies reside. Organics were the star of the show—inseason strawberries, oranges, sweet peas, lettuce varieties, leeks, parsley, and even the most vibrant violet spring onions (perfect for roasting, or in creamy spring soups). An herb section included rosemary, thyme, purple basil, oregano, mint, pineapple sage, and regular
On a cool spring evening, I strolled onto the scene at the River Park Farmers Market in North Fresno’s popular River Park Shopping Center. An ever-expanding outdoor
sage, all for as little as $1 per bunch. Fresh flower bouquets in purple, pink and all of those soft springy colors that you want in your house right now—all here.
mall, River Park shuts down its main street every Tuesday from 5-8 p.m. to spotlight handmade goods and produce grown here in the valley.
At the very end of the market was the source of the music and liveliness of the River Park Farmers Market. Strumming an acoustic guitar, a man with a microphone
At the north end of this market, baked goods, potted succulents, and local handmade items could be found. One vendor in particular, from Clovis-based bakery Bread and Butter, caught my eye due to the big spread of gorgeous breads. The young Filipino couple running
serenaded the crowd as toddlers danced and adults stood in line at the nearby food trucks. Needless to say, ambiance was everywhere at this north valley market—a colorful welcome mat to spring and summer, and all that is growing in our great valley.
the booth was eager to tell me their story. They were regulars at a bakery in the Philippines where they once lived, and always looked forward to buying up the
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baked goods when the visited home. The bakery was named Bread and Butter.
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CHART: ART
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ELOWYN
