Farm Fresh Winter Produce; Cold Sweetening
The award-winning Diablo Valley Farmers’ Market—last year named #1 Favorite Farmers’ Market in the State of California—is open rain or shine, year round, Saturdays, 9am–1pm, located at the corner of N. Wiget Lane & Mitchell Drive in Shadelands. And you know, there’s plenty of sunshine in the Diablo Valley.
Rain or shine, the cool weather Diablo Valley Farmers’ Market is open for business, Saturdays, 9am - 1pm. Check out the colorful cabbages and watermelon radishes.
That’s great news for people looking to include fresh seasonal produce into their diets. During the spring, summer, and fall, of course, market booths are brimming with farm-fresh produce. Not to be outdone, so are the winter booths. Local farmers and food artisans bring to market healthy and delicious winter produce and non-ag products of myriad colors, textures, and flavors.
Winter produce comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, colors and flavors.
During the cold months at Diablo Valley Farmers’ Market (DVFM), you’ll find root vegetables such as carrots, beets, turnips, potatoes, sweet potatoes, parsnips, and onions, along with winter squash varieties including butternut, acorn, kabocha, and pumpkin.
Brussels, kale, broccoli, and cabbage are cruciferous vegetables, packed with nutrients such as vitamins C and K, fiber, and antioxidants, which can contribute to overall health by supporting digestion and fighting inflammation, making them a great addition to a balanced diet.
The winter Diablo Valley Farmers’ Market is not to be missed.
You’ll find cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, artichokes, asparagus, kale, collard greens, spinach, apples, pears, pomegranates, and plump, sweet citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, grapefruit, and pomelos.
Pomelos are similar to grapefruit—larger, round or teardrop-shaped, with a thicker rind, intense tartness, and marked sweetness.
One of the most popular late-season apples is the EverCrisp, a cross between Honeycrisp and Fuji apples, known for its sweetness, crunch, and juiciness.
Root vegetables are nutritional powerhouses.
An essential part of our winter diet, organic root vegetables are nutritional powerhouses because they grow underground and absorb a great amount of nutrients from the soil. They're packed with a high concentration of antioxidants, vitamins A, B, and C, and iron. They're also filled with slow-burning carbohydrates and fiber.
Some root vegetables become sweeter once the first frost hits. The cold causes the roots to work hard to prevent the plants from freezing, which causes the natural starches to convert to sugar. This is called “cold sweetening.” Carrots, turnips, rutabagas, and beets are good examples.
“The winter farmers’ market is a different experience—it is its own experience,” said DVFM Market Manager Warren Cox, who pointed out the number of organic, fresh, seasonal produce booths. “You’ll find some of this produce only once a year, and now is that time of year. It’s also a more relaxed experience, with opportunities to spend time with the farmers and growers talking with them about their products and processes. Every grower’s farm-to-table story is amazing and we’re thankful to have them here, with us, every Saturday.”
As we bundle up in our hooded jackets and comfy scarves, now is a good time to get out and explore the familiar—and the unfamiliar—winter delights at the Diablo Valley Farmers’ Market.
You’ll be surprised by how many colors, textures, and flavors you can pack into a winter salad.
Corner of N. Wiget Lane & Mitchell Drive
Kaiser Permanente Park Shadelands Medical Offices parking lot
Saturdays, 9am to 1pm, rain or shine