Market Watch: The First Crops of Nuts Come to the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market
25 September 2012
On Saturdays, one of my favorite stops for autumn fruits like Asian pears and white pomegranates is the K & J Orchards stand at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. I always make a point to ask Aomboon Deasy (or “Booney” as she is known to many of us at the market) what’s happening back on the farm. Booney’s parents, Kalayada and Jim, started K & J Orchards on a small parcel in Winters in 1982. In the past few years, Booney and her husband Tim have taken on more responsibility at the farm. You can find her at the booth cutting up samples for customers and filling orders for chefs.
In addition to fall fruits, K & J also has a fresh crop of chestnuts available each September. The chestnut harvest generally lasts just a couple of weeks, and then the nuts are stored in a cool, dry place on the farm to prevent spoilage. Booney expects to have them at the market until their supply runs out, which could be by the end of October. With their savory-sweet flavor, chestnuts are in high demand from restaurants like Perbacco, Prospect and The French Laundry.