Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

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The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market is a notorious yuppie hangout with prices to match, but for the casual tourist, the sheer quantity and variety of produce that is available is worth the one off dent to the wallet. More than anything else, this market is about the amazing organic fruits and vegetables that are produced in the area surrounding San Francisco. The market sells local fruit and vegetable varieties to baffle visiting tourists. Cardoons (artichoke thistles) are sold next to pawpaws, purple carrots, persimmons and pineapple guavas. More recognizable varieties are bigger and better; potently purple aubergines, wonderfully misshapen and colourful peppers, robust red onions (stalks included), supersize artichokes and asparagus and of course the famous plump Californian grapes. The Centre for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture (CUESA) that organises the market puts on cooking demonstrations for local chefs to show the market’s customers what to do with what they’ve bought. After the demonstration has worked up your appetite, try some of the fiery Mexican food available, knock back some chucked-to-order oysters or alternatively, for non-yuppies and bargain travellers, the free samples from the numerous stalls will easily satisfy a rumbling tummy, if only temporarily.

1 / 5 Review by editor Alessia Horwich