Last weekend, I ventured up to the Altadena Underground Farmers’ Market at the Zane Grey Estate. There, all sorts turned out on the glorious, sunny January Sunday. Men and ladies with long grey hair, red-lentil eating braless chicks, beautiful couples in crumpled clothes with feral angel babies in tow and Pasadena ladies in crisp, cropped pants all ambled about the fading estate.
Curious to see the property, eager to pet one of the resident goats and hoping to find some amazing back-yard yuzu and artisan goat cheese, Martin and I signed the legal release at the entrance and perused the booths set up all over the lawn and asphalt driveway. For sale were leather belts, fabric bags, handmade soaps, honey, prepared foods, jams galore, multiple varieties of granola, home-baked breads and many kinds of baked goods. I didn’t get near any of the baked items. I didn’t want to get too close and have that awkward moment when I decline to purchase the proffered sweet. I got the distinct impression that the cookies etc. were vegan, and while I’ll eat vegan vegetable and grain dishes happily any day, I see butter and eggs as necessary additives to cookies.
We were not big consumers that day. I’m always looking for good, fresh produce to supplement my garden stock, but only big squash were available that day. Maybe in the spring there will be more fruits and vegetables. I love to bake, make my own granola and jams and have bees for honey, so nothing was too threatening to my pocketbook. We did buy some very tasty hand roasted Ethiopia Yirgacheffe coffee from Ross Roast. He roasts green coffee beans in small batches in a stove-top popcorn popper. Very good-- very underground.
Here are pictures from the Market.