Fresh Pick Of The Week: Bok Choy

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Marketeers!

As we go into our 12th year of the Certified Farmers' Markets we're grateful for the delicious and varied bounty our SoCal farmers bring to our CV locations, three times a week. Whether you visit us on Saturday in Palm Springs, Sunday in La Quinta or Wednesday in Palm Desert you'll find ingredients to make your shared table shine. From fall fruits like persimmons, pears, apples or pomegranates to hearty vegetables like kale, Brussels sprouts and broccoli and multiple varieties of potatoes and onions from T&D Farms (PS & PD) you'll check all the essentials off your list. Add Spring Hill cheese and butter, sweets for every tooth and a farm-direct bouquet and your gathering is pretty well covered. See you this week at the CFMCV's!

- Megan Goehring, Certified Farmers's Markets Manager

Bok Choy, also known as Pak Choi or Pok Choi, is this week’s Fresh Pick of the Week at the valley’s three Certified Farmers’ Markets. Bok Choy is a form of cabbage that originated in China and Southeast Asia, but has become a staple throughout the world because it is easy to grow, and does well in most climates.

Bok Choy does not form heads like other cabbage varieties, and is best when cooked quickly - stir-fried, steamed, or pan-sauteed. If it’s cooked too long Bok Choy has a tendency to lose flavor and become slimy.
Did You Know: Like other cruciferous vegetables (mustard, broccoli, turnip and rapini), Bok Choy is nutrient-dense. In fact, Bok Choy is a nutrient-rich superstar, placing #2 out of the top 41 nutrient-dense vegetables that were studied and ranked in the article, "Defining Powerhouse Fruits and Vegetables: A Nutrient Density Approach.”

Price: $3 each

The Certified Farmers’ Markets are the Coachella Valley’s only State and County Certified Farmers’ Markets. That means all the fruits, vegetables, meats and other products that are on sale at the markets have been grown on California Certified farms. In addition, almost all the farms are located within a 90 mile radius of the markets (thus reducing the carbon footprint), and many of the products sold are “USDA Certified Organic.”

All Certified Farmers’ Markets accept CalFresh EBT Cards, WIC Farmers’ Market Checks, and Senior Farmers’ Market Checks. The Markets also offer Market Bucks that can be purchased using charge cards or cash, then used at the market for purchases.

The Certified Farmers Markets are sponsored by the Palm Springs Cultural Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which was established to encourage the development of the cultural arts in the Coachella Valley with a specific focus in the areas of film, fine art, live performance, dance, music, and community festivals. The Center is dedicated to advancing education, to nurturing community-wide participation in the cultural arts, and to sponsoring scholarship awards for deserving individuals.