Marin Farmers Market report: lamb, salmon, peas, etc.

The rainy season has delayed a lot but today looked like the market in May is supposed to look. At last, Iacopi Farms is here! Their first Sunday of the year. Could not resist the English peas, so sweet at this time of year. Price for small bag is $7 up from last year's $5, but will be worth it. Sitting outside in late afternoon and shelling will be part of the pleasure. The shortened, broken-up salmon season has allowed some king salmon to appear at the Mission Fish stand; a roast is $7.95 a pound compared to last year's $6.95, but that is cheaper than I expected. The asparagus from the Delta continues and has become more flavorful than the first that was available a few weeks ago. Nice hard new potatoes, peas and asparagus, and salmon. Wow. Hard to imagine matching that dinner many other places. We are lucky in the Bay Area!

One new attraction at the market which I enjoyed was the new feature at Roti Roli. Thomas the Swiss master of the rotisserie truck has added lamb to the menu. Niman Ranch boned leg of lamb, with orange and rosemary flavoring, is ordered done the way you want it and available for pickup after you complete your shopping. Cost is $25 for what, in my case, was just about 3 pounds. A bargain, I think, and delicious reheated according to the well thought-out suggestions.

Thanks for the heads up on the lamb, Al. Has anyone seen this at any of the other farmers markets?

I saw it at the Ferry Plaza a couple of weeks ago.

I'm new to Marin - where is this Market? Is this the one @ the Civic Center?

Yes, Sundays and Thursdays. Different locations in civic center.

Yes, at Civic Center. On Sunday mornings, in the parking area west of the Frank Lloyd Wright building; on Thursdays, in the area just north if the lagoon. Sunday's market is quite a bit bigger than Thursday's. I am not sure if Roli Roti is there with both lamb and chicken on Thursday, for example. A pretty good bbq IS there on Thur but not Sun on the other hand. Biggest draw is produce which is great both days, just more of it on Sunday. Welcome to Marin, and enjoy the world class Farmer's Market.