Photo courtesy of robinjolin.com
Location: Watsonville, CA
Tomatero Farm is located just south of Santa Cruz, and only about five miles from the California coast. Their farm has been certified organic since its start in 2004. The ranch is owned and managed by Chris and Adriana, who got started when they were in their early twenties. They had a youthful dream to be inspired by what they did for a living, and several years later their aspiration has blossomed into a thriving farm providing fresh, organic produce to food lovers all over the Bay Area.
The name "Tomatero" means "tomato picker" in Spanish and comes from a nickname Adriana’s Nicaraguan Grandmother bestowed on Chris during a sampling of how certain tomatoes tasted with the several different growing methods. The name just seemed to embody their farm's spirit: to learn how to grow wonderfully-flavored tomatoes. Adriana and Chris now try to bring that same spirit into everything they grow and do with their farm.
Tomatero Farm currently grows heirloom, dry-farmed early girl, green zebra, and cherry tomatoes, as well as greens, carrots, strawberries, brassicas, peppers, squash, melons, and root vegetables. They also raise chickens for eggs on several acres of rotating pasture.
Mercado Kitchen: Asparagus & Farro Salad
We all know that asparagus is the best, and often, I simply roast it in the oven with salt & pepper, olive oil, and a splash of lemon, and love life. But, what about when you want something a little more? I cooked up this easy Asparagus-Farro Salad with Feta, using the incredible asparagus that MCM is lucky enough to have from Zuckerman’s Farm. For this recipe you’ll need: 1 bunch asparagus 2 cups of dry farro 1 bunch red … →
I say Tomato, you say yes please!
If you’ve been to MCM in the past few weeks, you’ve probably caught yourself staring at the beautiful bounty that is the earliest crop of tomatoes from Happy Boy Farms and Tomatero Farm. A wide variety of heirloom and cherry tomatoes have been making their way into many a market basket! If you’re overwhelmed by all the varieties of cherry tomatoes available, never fear! Just take a peek at this helpful chart from the Happy Boy Farms website and you’ll sound like a pro … →
Try This Recipe with Fresh Berries from MCM!
If you’re looking for a tasty, easy dessert to serve at your next dinner party, look no further than this deliciously sweet-but-not-too-sweet treat. The salt in the ricotta offers a beautiful balance for the sweet fruit, resulting in a perfectly-flavored finish to your meal. This dish is also great because it’s equally yummy if you serve it warm or chilled, making it an easy dish to bring to share at a potluck. The original recipe that I used called for … →
Eggs, Pottery and Artist Opportunities
Featured Treats – Fresh Tomatero Eggs and Local Arizmendi Breads This week Arizmendi Bakery will be joining us with their savory and sweet concoctions, as well as Tomatero Farm, who will be bringing their pasture-raised eggs that are firm, bright and delicious. Straight from the famer, “our eggs are so fresh they could have been produced less than 24 hours from when you purchase them!” Handmade Pottery Local Artisan, Jeffrey May, makes one-of-a-kind pieces of pottery as Smokin’ Pottery, “individually … →
