A Cook's California

Josh of Urban Village

“The food scene in Oakland is Happenin’ ’” reports Josh at the information booth of the Old Oakland Farmer’s Market. Every Friday the market sprawls for several packed blocks along 9^th street offering baked goods, condiments, prepared foods such Roti Roti meats and table upon table of Asian vegetables, this being next to one of the country’s most thriving Chinatowns. Josh works for Urban Village Markets, an association that manages 9 Bay Area farmer’s markets and today he is beaming with pride. “This is the first day of funds from a $50,000 grant I wrote. From now until April, we can give food stamp recipients $5 of tokens to be used exclusively for fresh produce here at the market. The goal is to provide healthy options without cost.” Josh’s enthusiasm and faith is uplifting, like the saving of Old Oakland itself. Read More…

Crab Louie at Salito’s

In two words: Not Good (if you are a commercial crabber) but Not Bad (if you are a diner.) Domoic acid, a neurotoxin that can cause seizures or death in humans, began showing up in California crabs in April after unusually warm waters caused colossal algae blooms. The season’s planned opening date in mid-November was canceled for everyone…individual fishermen and the commercial crabbers alike.

On Feb. 12, 2016, the California Department of Health announced that sport fishing for the crustaceans was permitted south of Point Reyes. Yet a week later we saw hundreds of dry crab traps stacked in a field at Shelter Cove and even more in the parking lot of Half Moon Bay’s commercial fishing pier. The season remains closed for industry fishermen. Read More…