Oakland is a thriving, vibrant, multicultural hub a few minutes from San Francisco. I know it gets a lot of bad press; like any major city it has its problems. However, there is another side to Oakland. I’ve lived here for over 25 years and am proud of how far the city has come.
Berkeley has the reputation as the “foodie” capital of California, but I would argue that Oakland is catching up. This Friday is the first day of spring and, although the East coast is still struggling with the effects of a horrible winter, it has already sprung here in Oakland.
On a recent Saturday I was inspired to take some pictures in my neighborhood. All of these pictures were taken only a few blocks of my home. Within an easy stroll are several top rated restaurants, a dozen smaller ones, a wonderful bakery, Trader Joe’s, two drug stores, several coffee shops, four places dedicated to fitness, a donut shop, a year round Saturday farmer’s market, and Lake Merritt. Lake Merritt is a jewel in the middle of Oakland, the oldest bird sanctuary in the U.S. It’s a salt water lake, open to the bay, home to migrating birds of many species; and a favorite of walkers, runners and running groups.
But, back to the pictures.
A few from the Oakland Grand Lake Farmer’s Market:
Outdoor seating and folks enjoying the lovely warm weather on a Saturday morning.
Of course our Aussie ladies had to come along for the walk.
Casey and Quinn
Lake Merritt is just over three miles in circumference. On my side you will find a grassy park with a children’s play area. On the other side are some man made islands for the birds, Children’s Fairyland, a botanical garden, and a large community garden.
The gardens this time of year are amazaing.
Did you wonder when I was going to get to the recipe? This is a variation of a classic pasta dish for spring, this time with snap and snow peas plus some tendrils.
Pasta with Spring Peas (serves 4-6 as a main course)
- Pasta – 1 lb. (regular or gluten free), your choice of shape
- Olive oil or softened butter – 8 tablespoons (1/2 cup)
- 2 cups of combined snap and/or snow peas, strings removed and sliced diagonally
- 2 cloves of garlic, sliced thinly
- 1 cup of eadible pea tendrils, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh mint, torn into large pieces
- Parmesan – grated, about a cup plus more for serving
- Salt
- Pepper to taste
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt (kosher) until it tastes like the sea. Toss in your pasta and cook according to the package directions, tasting to make sure it is done to your liking.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet.
- Add the garlic and cook on medium-low heat until softened (about 3 minutes), add the snap or snow peas and saute for about 2 minutes until they turn bright green.
- Drain your pasta, reserving about a cup of the starchy cooking liquid. Do not rinse the pasta.
- Add the pasta to the skillet and increase the heat to medium high, toss then add the pea tendrils and continue to cook for about 30 seconds until just wilted. Add cooking water if it appears dry.
- Add the cheese and toss again. If the mixture still looks dry, add a bit more cooking water.
- Garnish with more parmesan for serving.
The cooking water contains starch, which turns butter (or olive oil) and cheese into a creamy sauce. Don’t add too much as you don’t want it to be watery. Taste to see if it needs more salt.
Turn into a warm serving bowl or individual plates. Garnish with the chopped mint and grate some additional cheese on the top.
Pasta with peas and pea tendrils
I think my friends at Fiesta Friday will enjoy the pictures. Please join us at Angie’s, the Novice Gardener.
Fiesta Friday
Happiness is a warm spot in the sun!
Lucy
Hooray for Oakland!!
Yes! Thank you.
Happiness is, indeed, a warm spot in the sun – with a dish of pasta! Lovely pics of Oakland.
Thank you, it was such a lovely day.
Nice to see your Border Collies. Sitting with the sun on your back is one of the simple pleasures of spring. Enjoy all the delicious produce….
Those ladies herd me around all day, they try to herd the cat but she won’t have it! The farmer’s market is a joy, I frequently buy more than I should and have a heavy load to carry home.
Liz, take me there please! I’d love to buy some of those mushrooms! 🙂
I’d love to take you there! The market is so much fun and inspiring. It runs all year and is so wonderful at highlighting the seasons best food.
I am so envious of the delicious looking farmer’s market…we’re still a couple of months away here in Michigan to see produce that beautiful! Thanks for sharing your gorgeous photos and delicious pasta recipe with us at Fiesta Friday!
You have some wonderful farm to table places in Michigan. Isn’t it amzaing what has been happening this last decade?
Yes we do, Liz…I just wish our Farmer Markets had a longer season. The last decade seems to be taking us back to days gone by with all of the markets popping up and seasonal dining/cooking becoming so popular again. I love it!
I do as well. The farm to table movement has really taken off. I’m so glad as it has given small farmers and food artisons a place to sell their goods.
Beautiful spring! Love your pasta, it has the feeling of spring-is-finally-here.
Hello Lucy, the pasta did feel that way. My mint is going crazy!
Gorgeous photos! And Lucy… man she has the life! 😉 Happy Fiesta Friday!
Hi Tracy, my friends and I always say that next life we want to come back as one our dogs or cats. They are spoiled, did you see that cute fat belly? Unfortunately she would bite me if I tried to rub it. The dogs are terrified of her! And she loves the leaves of my beans, when I plant them in the garden they are full of holes from her chewing.
I can’t believe you have green grass already, not to mention such well-stocked farmers markets!! Ah, but then again, California! The pasta sounds lovely; I love fresh pea shoots 🙂
Thanks for sharing such nice photos of your neighbourhood; it makes me feel as though spring has finally come!
It certainly is spring, a few weeks early this year because of the warm winter. I think it will be a different story later this summer though, we will be on serious water rationing.
Thanks for visiting my neighborhood.
I love the springtime sun – like your cat!! I need to sneak my cat into my blog 🙂
Please do, I love seeing and hearing stories of the families (and pets) of fellow bloggers. I envy how easy it is for some writers to do that, I am a little shyer and more self conscous.