Echo Park Farmers' Market Finds: February

Our tiny Echo Park Farmers' Market is becoming more of a community focal point every week. There are now petitions next to the produce, with the accompanying spirited discussion (very civil, so far). The market runs every Friday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. for debate and groceries. Here are some highlights this month:

Strawberries: Though it somehow seems too early in the year, strawberries are in fact in season! (A neighborhood rejoices.) The market is currently stocked with big - but flavorful - berries from Oxnard.

Other berries, and avocadoes: Further inland, Santa Paula is producing both avocadoes and berries from bushes, like raspberries in all shades of red and yellow, and even a few blackberries. We starting acting smug about L.A. weather again, right?

Chilacayote: This enormous squash (also known as Malabar gourd) can be eaten whole when it's new and tiny, but it's generally left to grow to pumpkin size. Try cutting it and roasting with butter and brown sugar on the flesh, incorporating it into a marmalade recipe, or candying bite-size chunks of it.

A French picnic: With Les Delices du Four bakery and Laurent Bonjour's Cheese Corner making regular appearances at the market, one could cobble together a meal of bread, cheese, salami and pastries. Carby, heavenly.

Activism: Some local parents, calling themselves Local District 4/Echo Park Communty Partners, have set up a stand at the market in support of their proposed plan for the elementary school (K-8) near Sunset and Alvarado. Perhaps the other two groups competing for control of the school will show up as well, giving inquiring residents a chance to weigh the options against each other.

Follow the market on Farmernet and Twitter.