Pick the Perfect Pumpkin at the Farmers' Market

'Tis the season to enjoy pumpkin. Mash it, bake it, carve it, scrape it — the pumpkin offers a feast for the senses in every respect. It's the stuff of nightmares and of fairytales, from scary Jack o'lanterns to Cinderella's bechanted carriage. And it also makes the most wonderful pie in the world.

The farmers' market will be brimming with pumpkins for the next few weeks, but perhaps not the big, round, orange kind we're used to seeing. Many farmers sell the small, sugar variety, as the Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association (PCFMA) explains. These plump picks are a variety of winter squash, which makes them perfect for soups, pies, casseroles and side dishes. 

Pumpkin Recipes

Cream Cheese Pumpkin Bars
Fall Vegetable Soup
Hillview Farms Apple-Stuffed Baked Pumpkin
Pumpkin Soup with Toasted Corn
Raisin Nut Pumpkin Bread

Events

Tuesday, Oct. 16: Fred McCarty performs live at the market in Concord.

Thursday, Oct. 18: Guess the weight of the giant pumpkin and win a prize at the Concord Farmers' Market.

Saturday, Oct. 20: The secret word is "Charlie Brown"... be one of the first 25 customers to give it to the Clayton Farmers' Market booth and get a free pumpkin!

What's In Season

Fruit: Apples, Grapes, Figs, Pears, Persimmons, Pomegranates, Strawberries.
Vegetables: Artichokes, Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Garlic, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Onions, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Spinach, Winter Squash.

About the Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association

The Pacific Coast Farmers' Market Association is a not-for-profit organization that develops, operates and supports Certified Farmers' Markets in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Concord Farmers' Market

Todos Santos Plaza, Willow Pass & Grant Street

Clayton Farmers' Market

Diablo Street, between Main and Center in Downtown Clayton

Do you know of an enchanting pumpkin recipe? Share it in the comments.