AUBURN – This is such a pleasant place to shop that it makes a nice family outing on a Saturday morning.
The day we visited, there was a trumpet player serenading shoppers, so there was even a bit of entertainment.
This is a large farmers market with more than 50 booths to explore. Park at the courthouse, then walk across the corner at Lincoln Way and follow the signs. The market is down a foot path away from traffic and shaded by big trees.
There is far more prepared food at the Auburn market than I've found at other farmers markets, including fresh bread from House of Bread, Pine Mountain fresh-roasted coffee, wine from Ophir Wines, Upper Crust tarts and baguettes, Calolea olive oil, Green Family wines, jellies from Newcastle Taqueria and Two Spicy Ladies spice blends. Dedrick's Cheese shop in Placerville has a booth filled with a wonderful variety of cheeses. Bow Wow Licious Biscuit Co. has a stand where you can buy homemade dog treats, which, according to our tasters, are just like graham crackers.
This market has several booths where you can buy meat. Coffee Pot Ranch sells beef, pork and lamb and Highland Farms sells grass-fed lamb. The Little Fish Co. has a stand where you can buy fresh saltwater fin fish.
There is also an interesting variety of ready-to-eat food, including Indian samosas (fried pastries filled with lamb or chicken), curry and tamales.
We found the first figs we've seen this season, green Kadota variety at $3 a pound. We also found the first doughnut peaches of the season at $3 a pound. Some other highlights include bouquets of fresh flowers, fingerling potatoes, pistachios, zucchini, fresh herbs, cabbage, radishes, green beans, nectarines, apricots, Spring Crest peaches, garlic, chard, arugula, fennel, blackberries, raspberries and Santa Rosa plums.
For a complete list of produce, best buys and some recipe using what's in season, check our farmers market graphic at www.sacbee.com/taste.
Call The Bee's Gwen Schoen, (916) 321-1146.
