Miriam Morgan, Chronicle Staff Writer

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

With citrus fruits and winter greens at the height of their season, Saturday at the year-round Alemany Farmers' Market is awash in orange and green.

Asian greens are abundant, with several vendors offering good selections, including baby bok choy for 75 cents a bunch, and mustard greens for $1 per bunch. Winter melon can be had for 50 cents a pound, and daikon is going for $1 per generous bunch.

Citrus fruits are at their sweetest, including Page mandarins for $1.50 per pound from Abe-El ranch in Orosi (southeast of Fresno). The Pages are nearing the end of their season, but other citrus varieties such as blood oranges ($1.50 per pound) will take their place. Cara caras (75 cents per pound) are at their best, and satsumas from Regier Farms are $2 per pound, or $9 for a 5-pound bag.

Other noteworthy items include a wide selection of Medjool dates from Palm Springs Desert Gold ($2 to $3 per pound) as well as Deglet Noor dates for $1.75, described as "slow sugar - the diabetics' excuse." Far West Fungi has organic "ugly" shiitakes for $2.50 per pound; the prettier ones are $7.50 per pound. Haney Egg Ranch has fresh duck eggs for $7 for a 15-count flat. Modesto's Robert Daniel offers a good selection of nuts, including shelled new crop almonds for $4 per pound.

At the western end of the market, Mellows Nursery and Farms from Morgan Hill has a large selection of seasonal staples, including large yellow onions at 3 pounds for $1, garnet yams at 60 cents per pound, and shallots at $1.50 per pound.

As for snacks, there's no beating All Star Tamales as well as pupusas ($2.50) from Estrellita's.

Last chance: Family Fruit Farm from Palmdale will have the lychee-like rambutans (pictured below, $8 per pound) and nuttier-tasting longans ($6.50 per pound) for about three more tweeks.

Alemany Farmers' Market, 100 Alemany Blvd. (at the juncture of Highways 101 and 280), San Francisco; (415) 647-2043. Open 6 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays year-round.

Source
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