Boysenberries, Blueberries and Golden Raspberries

Spring weather continues to delay products from arriving at the , but if you get there early, chances are you may be able to score a few of the season’s most coveted items.

Boysenberries already have a short growing season, but the fluctuating weather has made them even more scarce.

“A boysenberry is a cross between a raspberry and a blackberry,” T&D Farm owner Doug Powell said.

Powell told me that the boysenberry was created here in Southern California at Knott’s Berry Farm, the historic farm-turned-amusement-park in Orange County. Boysenberries are traditionally used for jam and pies.

Speaking of pies, don’t forget to enter the upcoming “Pie Bake a’ la Beverly Hills and Piesta,” a contest for amateur bakers to step forward with their favorite pie recipes. A panel of judges will award prizes based on flavor, filling, crust, overall appearance and creativity. This year’s contest is June 12. Rules, regulations and the official application may be found here. 

T&D Farm also has a small harvest of mulberries that are here for a limited time. Powell said that although their season is short, mulberries thrive on rain moisture when they’re growing. But now that it’s time to pick them, rain and wind are destroying much of the crop.

But have no fear if it’s blueberries you seek.

“Right now our blueberries are at their peak,” Forbidden Fruit Orchards farmer Teresa Hampton said. “We shall have them well into July.”

Forbidden Fruit Orchards is an organic farm located north of Santa Barbara. It also grows currents, cherries, avocados, kiwi and green tea leaves.

Pudwill’s Berry Farms, a popular vendor that supplies the market with fresh berries year-round, always has a selection of fruit to offer. This week it had blueberries, blackberries, regular raspberries and golden raspberries. Next month it will have purple raspberries, which are a cross between red and black raspberries. The purple raspberries are low in acidity and will be around for only a couple of weeks. Make sure to keep your eye open for these little gems.

Erickson Farms returned to the market with its first harvest of cherries, which sold out. Depending on the weather, the vendor promised to have a larger picking next week.

If you’re looking to purchase flowers, be sure to stop by Ha’s Apple Farm stand. Each spring the farm brings fragrant lilacs to the market, but these too are only available for a few weeks.

Next week at the market: Kid Zone with Pony Rides and Petting Zoo returns for children and the Panache Orchestra will provide live entertainment in the café area.

I invite you to join me each week as I explore the magical world of the Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market. Please feel free to share stories and recipes of the items you also find interesting at the market. If you see me strolling about, please say hello.

See you next week at the market.

The Beverly Hills Farmers' Market is held every Sunday (rain or shine) from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the 9300 block of Civic Center Drive. There are more than 60 farmers and vendors offering a wide variety of organic and conventional California-grown seasonal fruits and vegetables. There are also prepared food kitchens with menu items to take out or enjoy at the small on-site cafe.

Parking is available on the neighboring side streets or in the garage attached to the City Hall and library. The market supplies free shopping carts to use and they are located there. If you have any stories or recipes from the market that you wish to share, please contact the site editor at mariec@patch.com.

David De Bacco is a writer living and celebrating life in Los Angeles. He has worked for some of the world's most famous chefs and restaurateurs, and along the way he became a little savvy about food and wine. He has published articles and cookbooks for Shibata Publishing Co. in Tokyo and is a contributing writer for Edge Publications. He is also the creator of the Cookin with Mama blog, a meeting place to share recipes from our mothers.

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