Southern California Farmer’s Markets – Calabassas

Saturday Morning Farmer’s Markets abound in Southern California.  Within the distance of approximately 33 miles, extending from the city of Ventura to Calabassas (at the far Western end of the San Fernando Valley) there are 4 markets that I know of:  Ventura, Camarillo Old Town, Newbury Park and Calabassas.  You can go further South and find quite a few more but of course, it would be difficult to attend all of them in one day.  On my foray to Calabassas I also went to Newbury Park and could have hit Camarillo if I had so desired.  The market is across the street from the most prominent and probably well-known business in Camarillo and that would be the Sage Brush Cantina.  The Cantina opened years ago in a one store front location and soon took over the properties next to it, so that now the whole block (where there used to be a bakery and other businesses) is now all Sage Brush Cantina and their parking lot.  It has become a gathering for locals and out of towners as well.

The Calabassas Market is probably the most diverse and exciting of the one that I previously mentioned.  The time slot is from 9 in the morning until 1 in the afternoon.  You can buy produce, flowers, artisan bread products and foods ready-made to eat on the spot.

The first thing when you walk into the market is a sign for Valet Parking and an attendant to manage it.  The fee is only $3.00 which is the same that the parking lot across the street charges.  There is very little street parking in Calabassas and since the Market is well-attended the lot or Valet Parking is well worth it.  An alternative is to park in the shopping center on Valley Circle – it is about a one block walk but if you are carrying market produce it can be a little tireing.

 

There are many flower vendors and they are the ones that are most prominent in the front of the market.  This is not to say there are no produce vendors there – there are plenty but the flowers are so colorful and beautiful that they do stand out.  If you are planning on purchasing flowers as well as produce wait until you are finished and almost ready to leave – that way your flowers will have stayed fresh in water until you pick them and take them home.  If you carry them around the market there is a strong possibility that they will start to wilt, especially if it is a hot day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many produce vendors but one of my favorite has produce similar to Underwoods in Camarillo in that they have those beautiful heads of Purple and Gold Cauliflower along with Romesco which is shaped like a castle with little turrets.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the ways in which I like to use the Cauliflower is to prepare it with a Cheese Sauce – the simplest Cheese Sauce that you will ever make.  Simply shred as much Medium or Sharp Cheddar Cheese and combine it with enough Mayonnaise to make a spreadable mixture.  Place the washed Cauliflower in a microwavable dish and spread the Mayo/Cheese mixture all over it.  Microwave for approximately five minutes or until the Cauliflower is fork tender.

 

             

 

 

 

I love Mushrooms and one of the Vendors has a great variety of Mushrooms and they are locally (in the Conejo Valley just West of Calabassas) raised.  Mushrooms grow best in the dark and not exactly knowing I asked the Vendor where he grew them – in a Greenhouse?  The answer was no – he actually grows most of them in a warehouse building – probably in raised beds or flats.  You could purchase one type of mushroom or a variety pack of different sizes and different prices.  I couldn’t resist and did buy a $15 pack which did last me for several meals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also at the market were Citrus Vendors, Vegetable Vendors, Egg Vendors, Hot Sauce Vendors and many more.  I am pictured below at the booth of a vendor from Central California – at this point in the day (about 1 hours before closing) his products were marked down to 3 for $5.00.  An excellent and everything I purchase from his was of excellent quality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

This next vendor sells Cucumbers, Tomatoes and Beans at both the Calabassas Market and the Market in Thousand Oaks on Thursday afternoon.  When I visit these markets her stand is always one that I stop at.  The Cucumbers are of the Japanese variety and do not need to be peeled.  They are always sweet and crisp and delicious.

 

 

One of the Vendors at the Calabassas Market was not selling produce but instead he had Pasta and Olives – the booth was called Zona de Italy.  Lots of interesting pasta and delicious Olives of various varieties.

 

So take a trip out to Calabassas and check out their produce, flowers, pasta, etc.