Photo by Morgan Meredith
On May 11, Central County gourmands rejoiced as the Santa Ana Farmer's Market finally opened after a three-year battle between city bureaucrats and members of the nonprofit Grain Project. Already, folks are flocking to its various stands for fresh veggies, luscious breads and sweet, sweet honey. And more will come as the selection of quick, cheap lunch options expands. We recently spoke with Grain Project member Lara Montagne about how best to enjoy what will literally be the hottest lunch in Orange County.
Whatcanpossiblybecharmingaboutspendingyourlunchhourinaparkinglot?
Well, it's an outdoor, open-air setting.
Buttheheat!Theasphalt!
Yeah, the asphalt is not so good. [Laughs.]
SohowwilltheFarmer'sMarkethelpvisitorsbeatthesun?Complimentarysunblock?
We do have some shade in the rest area, but it's always good to get a little bit of sun. Besides, a lot of our vendors sell produce that can cool people down.
Whatyummieswouldyourecommendforvisitors,then?
One stand sells kumquats—they're always thirst-quenching. Another sells pomelo, which looks like a grapefruit but is much juicier and sweeter. Kaffa in Orange also has a pushcart in the Farmer's Market where they make various iced drinks and sell cream soda. Soon there will also be people who will make fresh fruit juices. And another man who sells Middle Eastern products also sells tzatziki—that's always cooling!
Whenyou'renotattheFarmer'sMarket,wherewillyoubeeatingthissummer—anddon'tsayGypsyDen.[MontaigneusedtowaitressattheGypsyDen.]
Alta Coffee in Newport Beach. It's a real quaint, mom-and-pop café. The Gypsy Den owners used to work there before opening their restaurant. Alta sells great hummus, soups, sandwiches and has a really nice outdoor patio that has lots of greenery and plants. But my new favorite is Byblos—I just recently discovered it. Their patio makes me think I'm in another country, not in Orange, and it's very refreshing. I love their dolmas—they've got a nice blend of olive oil and lemon juice. And of their two different kinds of baklava, I like the pistachio. Cool and not too sweet.
Sowhatwouldyousaytopeoplewhoprefertheirsummergroceriesinair-conditionedsupermarkets?
They should remember that the Farmer's Market produce is often picked 24 hours before the market. And you get to meet the farmers.
Andyougettosweat.
Yeah!
Eat at the Santa Ana Farmer's Market every Wednesday, 3-7 p.m., on the corner of Bush and Third Sts.; The Grain Project also holds a farmer's market in La Habra every Friday, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., at 101 W. La Habra Blvd. For more information, please visit the grain project at www.grainproject.org.
