Cherries: The Ephemeral Fruit

Highway 152, Gilroy

This weekend is the mid-point of May and with it comes the chilly summer fog and the start of the cherry season.  Traditionally Memorial Day marks the start of summer, but locally these are the hallmarks of the change in season.

I had occasion to drive over to the valley this weekend, and driving back over Pacheco Pass I was greeted by seasonal cherry stands lining the side of the roads in Gilroy.  I can remember roadside cherry stands all the way back to when I was very little due to the fact that the South Bay Area was once a stone fruit and nut going region.  I was understandably nostalgic when I saw the hand painted signs for the cherry stands with names like The Pit Stop, Nature's Gift and The Merry Cherry.

The Merry Cherry got my business because they cater to someone exactly like me.  Retuning from a long, hot drive up the valley, I was pulled in by strategically placed signs.  The first stand started me thinking "Look, a cherry stand," but traveling at 60 miles an hour I didn't have time to slow and pull over.  No matter, for just when I started to regret the missed opportunity, along came another Merry Cherry!  And so the moment of merriment when I pulled over.  I almost felt lucky to have the opportunity to be there.

Bing and Rainier cherries

Bing cherries are the most common and popular cherries, but also in season are rainier cherries, which the seller told me are also called "Queen Anne."  Yellow in color with a pink blush, these cherries are less sweet than bings.  But hurry, the cherry season is short and late rains such as we've had recently have been known to ruin a ripe crop.  It's also important to eat them quickly, for left on the counter cherries mold fog and in the refrigerator they lost their fresh flavor like tomatoes.

Whole Enchilada Marketplace, Moss Landing

Yesterday my carefully planned Saturday fell apart..but no matter.  Suckered in by the loss leader sign for 10 artichokes for a dollar, I discovered the Whole Enchilada Marketplace on Highway 1 in Moss Landing.

I knew from driving by that there was a Surf City Coffee.  Hooray for local rather than national corporate chains.  A wander into the produce stall took me back to childhood memories with the smell of dried fruit.  Inside the Marketplace is a casual, happy place.  Not pretentious or stuffy, the Driftwood Beer and Wine Bar is partitioned off for alcohol consumption.  The "Bar" is decorated with signs from local Northern California professional teams: San Jose Sharks, San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders and the San Francisco Giants.  There is a big screen t.v., should your team be playing while you're there.  On Fridays and Saturdays, there are wine and beer tastings, and the shelves feature many local Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Luis Obispo County wines at reasonable prices.

In addition to the friendly staff and casual environment, the deli menu has the most charm.  Boasting a good variety of freshly made bread, meat and cheese, someone stopping by for a quick sandwich is sure to be content.  But those open to exploring the specialty sandwiches are in for a great surprise.  I decided to have the "Power Plant," a tri-tip sandwich with chipotle mayonnaise.  The portion was good and the saucy zingy without being too hot.  The other feature was the "Crabby Attitude" made of crab, tartar sauce, avocado, lettuce, tomato and red onion, which I will try on my next visit.  The menu features paninis, hot food and smoothies, too.

If you're in a mood for some casual, local fun and a snack, drink or meal, stop by The Whole Enchilada Marketplace just south of the Power Plant on Highway 1.  Need to get a hold of them first?  Call them at (831)632-BOAT or fax at (831)632-CRAB.