San Francisco's Farmers' Market's Recipe Book

Published by the San Francisco-based Chronicle Books, The San Francisco Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market Cookbook is the next best thing to actually being there. Co-authored by Christopher Hirshmeier, the former executive editor and co-founder of Saveur magazine, and freelance food writer Peggy Knickerbocker, it features a foreword from the Bay Area food maven and chef, Alice Waters of the world famous Chez Panisse in Berkley.

With its mouth-watering, gorgeous, full-colour photos (taken by Hirshmeier) and recipes divided by season (with produce taking centre stage, but not exclusively vegetarian), it’s a valuable resource for anyone who loves shopping at local markets and has a particular penchant for the flavours and food moods of California. It’s a perfect souvenir for anyone who’s had the pleasure of eating an unforgettable San Francisco meal, and an inspiration for any cook who’s committed to buying local and cooking according to nature’s seasonal cycles.

There are also many unusual pairings, suggested by the farmers and vendors themselves, like Peach Bruschetta with Blue Cheese, Pickled Eggplants with Walnut Sauce, or Avocado and Grapefruit Salad with Frisée lettuce. And for those who haven’t yet fallen under the spell of shopping and cooking from farmers’ markets, this book will give you a gentle, tasty push in that direction.

Photo courtesy Chronicle Books