Gama Farms Ushers Arrival of Apricots, Cherries and Peaches

Usually this time of year, the market stalls are overflowing with fresh peaches, cherries and garden vegetables, but the fluctuating weather continues to cause delays.

Luckily, Gama Farms of Bakersfield arrived with the first harvest of Brook’s cherries, apricots and peaches Monday. Still, something just did not look right.

“I’ve never seen such small fruits at the market,” said Helen Cramer, a market regular. “Do they have any flavor?”

Cramer and a few other shoppers huddling around the Gama Farms stand were surprised at the miniature size of peaches and apricots. But while small, the fruit was rich in flavor.

“The fruit is small, because the temperature has been hot during the day, but really cold at night,” said Juan Alvarez of Gama Farms. “They will get larger, but because of the warmth, they are ripening faster than they can grow.”

Ha's Apple Farm, an orchard that has stone fruit during the summer months, is also suffering from the fluctuating weather. 

“It should be our dry season, but we’re still a few weeks behind production, because of the rain and cool temperatures,” said David Ha, owner of Ha’s Apple Farm.

At the moment, Ha has only apples and Asian pears, a fruit that really likes all of this moisture. Later this summer, Ha will have a prized selection of peaches, nectarines and apricots, he said. The farm also grows apriums, a stone fruit that is a cross between a plum and apricot.

There are delays at stalls throughout the farmers' market, but the Valdivia Farms stand shows signs that the spring harvest is on its way, selling plenty of heirloom tomatoes, carrots and the last of the winter asparagus.

“We’re also running late, but at least I have blueberries, squash and zucchini to offer,” said Martin Zermino, who runs the Valdivia Farms stand at the market. 

Moua Family Farms still has winter sorrel, an herbal plant whose leaves may be puréed into a soup or sauce. But when the leaves are eaten raw, they have the flavor of kiwi fruit or wild strawberries. 

Over at Gourmet Specialties, fresh chamomile is selling fast, as well as fresh edible flowers, such as marigolds, nasturtium and pansies, which remind us of spring.

Please feel free to share stories and recipes of the items you find interesting at the market. If you see me strolling about, please say hello. See you next week.

The West Hollywood Farmers' Market is held every Monday (rain or shine) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Plummer Park, 1200 N. Vista St.