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Ripe Now! Eggplant

The end of summer can feel like a loss to many of us; however, it can also feel like the most abundant time of year at the farmers' market. Now we are able to get the fruiting vegetables that bask in the heat all summer long to ripen. One of these fruiting veggies is the eggplant! 

Eggplants are in the Solanaceae family, which also includes tomatoes and potatoes. It originally got its name from the white variety that has the appearance of an egg. It is a spongy and super absorbent vegetable (though technically a fruit in the botanical sense). Raw eggplant has a bitter taste, but you can rinse and salt the plant to remove some of the bitterness. Once cooked it becomes tender and able to absorb cooking oils easily. It can be a fantastic meat substitute for vegetarian/vegan meals. Originally domesticated in South and East Asia, China and India produced the majority of eggplants worldwide; however, you can find plenty grown by our local farmers! 

You can find eggplants of every shape, size, and color at the farmers' market: long and skinny Japanese and Chinese eggplants, pale lavender Bianca Rosa, palm-size cutie Fairytale, dark purple Globe, white Gretel, or the strikingly striped Listada. Find these beauties at all three of our farmers' markets from Lucero Organic Farms, Oya Organics, Lou Vue Farm, Full Belly Farm, Vang Family Farm, Riverdog Farms, and Happy Boy Farms.

Easy Eating:
Eggplants are a versatile vegetable that can be stuffed, braised, and grilled. They make hearty veggie-centered entrees. Make this classic ratatouille from Alice Waters. Japanese or Chinese eggplants are great sliced in half, seasoned and barbecued, or try this recipe for pan seared eggplant with cucumbers, avocados, and a buttermilk dressing. Make a delicious vegetarian sandwich with roasted eggplant, tangy feta, fresh herbs, and pickled beets.

Storage Tips: 
Eggplant does fine left out in a cool room. Don't wash before storing because it doesn't like extra moisture around its leaves. For longer storage, place loose in the crisper.

Zero Waste: 
Pickled eggplant, whether it's in the style of Palestinian Makdous or Italian Melanzane Sott'Olio
is a great addition to your pantry.

Recipe: Smoky Eggplant Dip

Makes 3 cups

Ingredients
2 medium globe eggplants
1 garlic clove, finely grated
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or labneh (Lebanese strained yogurt)
1/2 cup finely chopped mint, plus torn leaves for serving
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Kosher salt

Special Equipment
Hardwood or lump charcoal

Directions
Remove grate and prepare a charcoal grill for medium heat (coals should be covered with ash and glowing red with no black remaining). Place eggplants directly on coals and cook, turning occasionally, until the skins are completely charred and flesh is collapsed, 15-20 minutes. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet and let cool. (Or, you can grill on the grate of a gas or charcoal grill over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, 20-25 minutes.)

Split eggplants lengthwise and scoop flesh from skin into a medium bowl (it's okay if bits of charred skin get in there too). Mash eggplant with a fork to break up, then mix in garlic, yogurt, chopped mint, red pepper flakes, and 2 tablespoons oil; season with salt.

To serve, drizzle dip with more oil and top with mint leaves.

  
Current Vendors

Tuesday South
Berkeley
Thursday North Berkeley
Saturday Downtown Berkeley
Billy Bob Orchards
Kaki Farms
Massa Organics
Oya Organics
Brokaw Ranch Co.
Full Belly Farm
Flying Disc Ranch
Blossom Bluff Orchard
Solano Mushroom
Dirty Girl Produce
Good Faith Olives
Kashiwase Farm
Stepladder Creamery
Riverdog Farm
Smit Farms
Avalos Farm
Lou Vue Farm
Blue Heron Farms
Peach Jamboree
Frog Hollow Farm
Lucero Organics
Little Fish Co
Queen of Sheeba Honey
Phoenix Pastificio 
Three Stone Hearth
Soul Flower Farm
Base Camp Bakery
Bolani
Fruit Tree Smoothies
Tamales La Oaxaquena 
Andy's Thai
Donna's Tamales

Hudson Fish
Lucero Organics
Happy Boy Farms
Green Thumb Organics
Massa Organics
Golden Rule Organics
Pomo Tierra Orchard
E&H Mushroom Farm
Riverdog Farm
Frog Hollow Farm
Kashiwase Farm
Phoenix Pastificio 
Big Little Bowl
Donna's Tamales
All Things Sharp
Morell's Bread
Upland Apiary
Three Stone Hearth

Vang Family Farm
Brokaw Ranch
Billy Bob Orchards
Avalos Farm
Kaki Farm
Good Faith Farm
Guru Ram Das Orchards
Golden Rule Organics
Lifefood Gardens
Flying Disc Ranch
Gattonelli
Achadinha Cheese Co.
Hudson Fish
Kashiwase Farm
Happy Boy Farms
Stepladder Creamery
True Grass Ranch
Solano Mushroom
Riverdog Farm
Smit Farms
Four Sisters Farm
Blue Heron Farm
Peach Jamboree
Frog Hollow Farm
Off Beet Farm
Pomo Tierra Orchard
Higher Land Coffee
Tony's Kettle Corn + Crepes
Andy's Thai
Tamales La Oaxaquena
Cafe Zambala
All Things Sharp
Beber Almond Milk
Big Little Bowl
Your Way to Life Granola
Queen of Sheeba Honey
Steadfast Herbs
Laguna Gardens Bakery
Cultured Pickle Shop
Morell's Bread
Obour Hummus
Phoenix Pastificio
Bolani
Coracao
Primavera Tamales
Bariani Olive Oil
Bun Bao (New!)

  
Wildfire Update
As we are all feeling the impact of wildfires across the state, please hold our farmers and vendors in your thoughts as they may be experiencing frightening circumstances. Berkeley Farmers' Markets are committed to staying open year-round in order to support the livelihood of our small farmers. We plan to operate markets on their usual schedule. Please check our website, social media, and/or email newsletter for any updates regarding this.  

Staying Safe
When shopping at the market during times of poor air quality, please take precautions to keep yourself safe. Check out the air quality near you. If you have a sensitive medical condition, consider staying indoors to stay healthy. Limit your time outside and wear an N95 mask, if you have one (must be worn with cloth covering over the valve) or a KN95 mask. As per City of Berkeley COVID-19 safety guidelinesplease do not wear masks with one-way valves unless covered as they do not protect from the transmission of COVID-19. 



CALL TO ACTION:
Local Farms Need COVID-19 Relief

The majority of farmers selling local foods have suffered severe market disruptions due to COVID-19.

U.S. Representative Alma Adams (NC-12) introduced the Local and Regional Farmer and Market Support Act (HR 8096) in the House of Representatives. The bill is a comprehensive approach to help small and mid-scale farms, farmers markets, and local food businesses cope with the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Local and Regional Farmer and Market Support Act would:
  • Create a COVID-19 relief payment program for farmers, who sell in local and regional markets, based on their lost revenue.
  • Ensure Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) producers and low-income communities of color receive equitable access to COVID-19 relief programs.
  • Provide emergency response grants for farmers markets and local food enterprises to implement public health protections and COVID-19-friendly marketing practices.
  • Invest in the restoration and enhancement of local and value-added agriculture markets.
Time is running out to get this proposal included in the COVID-19 stimulus package being negotiated in Congress right now. Your voice can make a critical difference and help keep local farms in business.

Call your two U.S. senators and urge them to support local food in the next COVID-19 stimulus bill by introducing a Senate version of the Local and Regional Farms and Markets Support Act.

Find your senators:

___________________________________________________________________________

Here is a script you may use (adapt as you like):

"Hello, my name is _________ and I am a constituent and a voter (tell them if you're a farmer!).
I'm calling to urge you to support small and mid-scale local farms in the next COVID-19 relief package. Three out of four small farms are losing significant income because restaurant, farmers market, and agritourism sales have shrunk due to the pandemic. Many local farms in our community will be out of business by the end of the year if they don't get targeted relief in the next COVID-19 stimulus bill.

Current USDA programs pay local farmers just pennies per pound on the crops they produce, which doesn't come close to the losses local farms are suffering. The Local and Regional Farms and Markets Support Act has been introduced in the House of Representatives as House Bill 8096. Please introduce a Senate companion to House Bill 8096 so our local farms can receive the support that meets their needs in the next COVID-19 stimulus bill.

Thank you for your time."

If your call is routed to an answering machine, please leave a message. It will make a difference!



Farmers' Market Hours & Locations
EBT and WIC Fruit & Vegetable checks gladly accepted and Market Match incentives distributed at all markets.
South Berkeley
Tuesdays, 2 - 6:30 pm
Adeline St. at 63rd St., 
Berkeley
North Berkeley
Thursdays, 3 - 7 pm 
Shattuck Ave. at Vine St., Berkeley
Downtown Berkeley
Saturdays, 10 am - 3 pm
Center St. at MLK Jr. Way, Berkeley
[Photo credit: Berkeley Farmers' Market Staff]