Laid-Back in Ventura

The Downtown Ventura farmers market, the oldest in Ventura county, offers superb selection, attractive displays and a relaxed atmosphere.

Last Saturday, Gail Zannon of Santa Barbara Pistachio Co. brought newly harvested fresh pistachios, unhulled and more moist than the usual dried form, grown in Venticopa, near Cuyama. Middle Easterners consider these delicacies, available for just a few weeks (they’ll be at the Santa Monica market today), to be an aphrodisiac.

Frank and Anne Tenerelli had unique green St. John figs (from cuttings brought from Italy 50 years ago by Frank’s cousin) from their small farm in Lakeview Terrace, a stone fruit’s throw from the 210 Freeway. They also sold branches of their own fresh bay leaves and large Ryan Sun peaches, one of the last good varieties of the season, grown by Frank’s brother at Tenerelli Orchards in Littlerock.

From Ojai, Bruce Vail brought small but juicy 20th Century Asian pears; will they be renamed 21st Century pears next year? Rydell Farms of Paso Robles had just-picked Fuji and Braeburn apples along with Red and Golden Delicious. Perry Fife of Visalia had Foothill pomegranates and intensely flavorful golden-ripe Muscat of Alexandria grapes--a revelation to anyone reared on boring grass-green commercial grapes. Tangelo Rancho had top-notch Valencia oranges from Piru and small and seedy but very sweet Kinnow mandarins.

The pungent aroma of Susan Elmasian’s hickory-smoked garlic, grown in Camarillo, lured shoppers from neighboring stalls, and Domingo Farms of Arroyo Grande hung up festive ristras of cayenne chiles above dill, basil and cilantro. Local resident Lucy Vanoni had a little of everything: Concord grapes, cherry tomatoes, Haas avocados, dried sunflowers, rhubarb and fragrant feijoas, or pineapple guavas. From Dinuba, Lynda Peacock’s inspired display juxtaposed free-range eggs and unusual eggplants, including roundish purple and white Rosa Biancas and foot-long, finger-thin Ping Tungs.

Ventura downtown farmers market, Santa Clara and Palm streets, Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to noon.