Altadena Farmers’ Market: New Vendor, Nocino Walnuts, Pacific Island Dancers

Summer is in swing at the Altadena Farmers’ Market, which will host a new addition and special one-time offerings Wednesday.

New Vendor

The Altadena Farmers’ Market announced on their facebook page Sunday:

We have a new [sub]urban farmer joining the market this Wednesday! Nancy from Hacienda Heights will bring a variety of fruits and vegetables from her backyard orchard and tomato field. 

Nocino Green Walnuts

On the heels of the Nocino Festival at the Institute of Domestic Technology, the Altadena Farmers’ Market will have a fresh harvest of the local institute’s green English walnuts Wednesday, along with an instruction sheet on how to make the liqueur.

The IDM explained in an announcement:

Nocino is a traditional Italian Walnut Liqueur, made when the nuts, still green on the tree, are picked unripe. The harvest is traditionally picked on San Giovanni Day, June 24 (Saint John the Baptist Day), in the morning by barefoot pickers.

To actually make Nocino, green (un-ripe) walnuts are steeped in neutral spirits (Vodka or Everclear) with spices for 60 days and then imbibed toward the end of Fall.

A limited amount of the walnuts will be available at the farmers’ market Wednesday and each purchase includes a recipe sheet with easy, step-by-step instructions on making Nocino at home, along with a Nocino cocktail recipe for when their batch of inky black walnut liqueur is ready to taste.

Keiki O Ka ‘Aina Dancers

Keiki O Ka ‘Aina teaches people of all ages about Pacific Islands’ culture and dance—mainly Hawaii and Tahiti but also New Zealand Maori Poi and Fire Poi. One of the classes will perform from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday as part of the Altadena Farmers’ Market Summer Nights live entertainment series. 

The Altadena Farmers' Market takes place at Loma Alta Park. Its summer hours are 4-8 p.m.

What do you think about these additions to Wednesday's Altadena Farmers' Market? Are you interested in any of this news? Share in the comments section.