Flowers for the Finishing Touch T Berryessa and Japantown markets. hose who want the ultimate in ready-to-go impressthe 48 South Bay Accent LEFT:HELLOSA/STOCK.XCHNG; RIGHT: COURTESY OF ROLIROTI DIBROVA SAUSAGES From bratwurst to andouille, apple chicken and hot links, this local company offers outstanding sausages for the barbie and elsewhere. Sold at the Sunnyvale, Campbell, South Palo Alto and San Mateo markets. JERK ‘N PICKLE Between the to-die-for beef jerky made from grass-fed Angus and killer pickled cukes, beans, chiles and more, this vendor has healthful snacking covered. Available at the Cupertino, San Carlos, Belmont, San Mateo and Burlingame markets. FABRIQUE DÉLICES Take a quick trip to France via the incredible pâtés, mousses, rillettes, boudins, sausages, truffle butter, macarons, cornichons and other delicacies sold by this producer at the Campbell, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, downtown and South Palo Alto and San Mateo markets. HOME MAID RAVIOLI Outstanding and impeccably fresh filled pastas, noodles and sauces made from Italian family recipes beat, hands down, what’s in supermarkets in both taste and value. Sold at markets in San Jose (Willow Glen, Santana Row, Kaiser Santa Teresa, Cambrian Park), Los Gatos, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Kaiser Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Belmont, San Mateo and Burlingame. FOUR SEASONS TAMALES Among several tamale vendors at local markets, this one gets high taste marks for its fresh, flavorful products, sold in San Jose at the guests dinner parties cannot only snag fine, fresh prepared foods at local farmers markets, but they can also decorate their tables with a profusion of flowers available at several markets. With spring upon us, the floral choices are ramping up, although some flower vendors grow out-of-season blooms in hot houses to extend what Mother Nature can accomplish—and they charge accordingly. But going strictly seasonal, centerpieces bursting with spring blooms like dahlias, freesias, tulips and heather can be assembled from cut flowers sold at the markets while some stalls have arrangements ready to plop right on the dinner table. Particularly splendiferous centerpieces are assembled by Astone’s Protea, a vendor from Aptos who attends the Menlo Park farmers market and showcases these eye-catching South African blooms that look like they come from outer space. The Astone’s colorful wreaths are attention- grabbers but their elaborate arrangements are even more spectacular, stuffed with large protea blooms that often look like feathers rather than petals. Orchids are another often-seen item in flower stalls at the markets, such as those from Rose Mae Orchids, a vendor who attends many South Bay markets weekly. Owner Lilybeth Dayrit once grew orchids as a hobby and was so prolific that, by 2005, she launched her business. Despite the work involved—orchids take two years to grow—Dayrit’s plants are not only beautiful but also well priced. There are several other Bay Area flower growers who bring their blooms to a variety of different markets, offering patrons well-priced cut flowers and bouquets compared to flower shops and supermarkets. Beyond that, a few farmers markets have vendors offering bulbs and flower, herb and vegetable seedlings at attractive prices. ROLIROTI ASTONE’S PROTEA
South Bay Accent - Apr/May 2014
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