Hollywood Haul

The Hollywood Farmers Market kicked off “Certified Farmers Market California Grown Month” on Sunday, an event decreed by the state Assembly that included cooking demos, shopping tours, cookbook sales and a display of unusual produce. On any Sunday, this market is a cornucopia as well as a lively scene, and August is peak season for fruits and vegetables.

Dede Thogmartin of Loma Linda offered a dazzling international 10-pack of organic heirloom tomatoes, including Costuluto Genovese from the Italian Riviera; French Flame, fiery red inside; astringent Yellow Perfection from Great Britain; black Southern Night from Russia; and Orange Banana from the good old U.S.A.

Maryann Carpenter of Coastal Organics in Camarillo sold out her heirlooms early, including the Swiss Rose di Berne, and she had intriguing round Orbit carrots, a French variety that, when cooked, turns deep orange and very sweet, with a creamy texture. From Flora Bella Farm of Three Rivers, James Birch’s organic heirloom tomatoes included yellow Taxi and Mandarin Cross, German Striped and Cherokee Purple. He also brought aptly named Kermit eggplants--a small, round, green-striped Thai variety--long red curled Paper Dragon chiles and exquisitely aromatic Charentais melons.

Kachi Takahashi of Carson’s Top Veg carried a host of exotics: edamame (soybeans) on the stalk; gnarly looking but mild-flavored shisoto Japanese chiles; moloukhiya, a green used in Middle Eastern soups; red and green shiso leaves; and Japanese dandelion greens, milder than the usual sort.

Melons abounded: The Sanders’ stand displayed organic cantaloupes, honeydews, canarys and casabas in wicker baskets, and across the way Coyote Growers of Fallbrook offered large, ribbed Sunburst muskmelons, Ambrosia cantaloupes, their own DeLuz Delights and green-fleshed Haogens.

Market regulars show up early at Kim and Clarence Blain’s Circle C stand to snare a container of incredible sweet-tart Persian mulberries. The Blains are also known for their flavorful cherries, including Bing, Lambert, Rainier and Royal Ann, and luscious Desert King and Conadria figs.

Richard Burkhart of Dinuba sold small but insanely sweet Arctic Rose white-fleshed nectarines, Fantasia yellow-fleshed nectarines and classic Kim Elberta peaches (with only a slight blush, praise be, so one can tell by the yellow background color that they’re ripe).

Ken Lee of Reedley also had Arctic Roses, along with low-acid Sugar Giant white peaches and juicy Catalina plums. Michael Cirone neared the end of his unbeatable Blenheim apricots from San Juis Obispo. Catch them this week or wait until next year.

Hollywood Farmers Market, Ivar Avenue between Sunset and Hollywood boulevards, Sundays, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.