This time of year is my favorite because Santa Clarita is still relatively cool and I get to drive down to Santa Monica through the “June gloom” which still seems to be hanging around down south. It even sprinkled on me as I was shopping at the farmers’ market this past Wednesday. I prefer the cool weather so I don’t glow with perspiration when I carry all the fruit and vegetables to my car up a flight of stairs.
Why do I carry everything from the stands to my car up a flight of stairs rather than park where all the other chefs do on the ground level? It’s because this is more central to my favorite farmers and the chefs’ parking area is at the northern end of the market and, anyway, I can get a little bit of a work out while I am at it.
That’s not important. What is important is the fruit that they are bringing. The cherries were amazing, especially with Murray Farms. They have been at it for 25 years, but it was the first year for them at the Santa Monica Farmers’ Market. The strawberries have been good for a few months now and we have another few months of peak season left for them. Harry’s Berries is my favorite and they grow seascapes which have a great strawberry flavor, or you can choose the gaviotas which are sweeter.
But what gets me more excited is Troy of Reiger Farms. He is my choice for mandarins but now he has stone fruit, from apricots to all sorts of peaches and nectarines. They are sweet now but give it another few weeks and they will be amazing. Right now I am making something with June Ladies and Sugar Mays. You can get it cut to order and served with whipped cream or nice and warm with a crème fraiche ice cream. Baked to order. Come in to find out what it is.
Maru Restaurant is located at 24250 Town Center Drive in Valencia. For more information, please call 661-290-2595 and visit www.MaruValencia.com.