Moraga Farmers Market: tamales, kielbasa, and bao... in Moraga?

[jmarek]

Went to the Moraga FM today -- which was much better than I would have expected. Good winter produce selection, plus some surprises:
- Had a great Salvadorean chicken tamale from the tamale stand. One of ~6-8 different types of tamales. It had a very nice almost custardy corn texture, with flavorful chicken in red chile sauce. It was considerably better than the Mexican tamales from Tamale Queen I got last week
- Take-home frozen Chinese dumplings in 10-15 different varieties. I didn't get the name, but I think they are based in Hayward. Got some good looking fairly large pork buns in the freezer -- 30 pieces for $13.
- Polish / Russian: stuffed cabbages, kielbasa, piroshki, cheese blintzes, etc. I wasn't fond of the kielbasa sample. Seller said he gets it from New Jersey. I think it pales in comparison of the stuff from Chicago (via Delikateski in Concord, Polish Deli in Palo Alto, or bringing it home myself). The piroshki looked good -- maybe next time

It's not the Berkeley market, but I like this one better than Walnut Creek or Danville.

[Johnny E]

Nice post. I like this market a heck of a lot more than the Orinda market. The market has a good vibe and energy - lots of families with kids in tow. This fall there was an oyster guy that was BBQing some of his goods. Nothing better than a BBQ'd oyster at 10am!

[anli]

The piroshki are pretty good, chicken, beef or potato&onion. Usually priced at 2 for $5, at the end of the day they sell 6 for $10. Also at the market, though not every week, is a stand that sells empanadas - those are really good. The local ranch, Holding Ranch, also operates a stand there. The market is located in the parking lot next to McCallou's in the Moraga Shopping Center, across from OSH. I like it better than the Orinda market.

[rworange]

Eh, meant to add a link and hit the wrong button.

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Moraga Farmers Market
Moraga Rd and Moraga Way, Moraga, Ca

[rworange]

Thanks for the report. I got a little excited about the kielbasa. There is a growing Polish population in the Bay Area and I've been patiently waiting for that to be reflected in more Polish food / restaurants.

[DiveFan]

Yes, it is every Sunday: http://www.cafarmersmkts.com/moraga.html
BTW the Orinda market is every Saturday and somewhat smaller but not year round: http://www.cccfm.org/index.html

[Maple]

Many thanks for the posting. How does this compare to Temescal in terms of produce? Also, where is this, and is it every Sunday?
Thanks!

[jmarek]

Hard to tell from 1 week in January, but I thought it was pretty comparable to Temescal for produce. Unfortunately, no Blue Bottle or Bakesale Betty, though!

[yerioy]

fyi--Bakesale Betty has not been at the Temescal FM recently. I don't know why.

[rworange]

Rain

Lots of vendors are not showing up. Only half of the prepared food vendors showed up at Grand Lake today.

However, the line was down the block at the bakery today.