San Isidro Farmer’s Market

In the end, the irresistable call to action that took us to Costa Rica was food and drink. Especially based on things that we could find at San Isidro’s truly amazing farmer’s market or things that we could grow on our land.

We had been searching over many years for reliable supplies of fresh turmeric. Most people know it as a key part of curry, but it is also a powerful medicine that we were using to treat advanced Lyme disease. As a dry powder, it is an enjoyable spice but most of the healing properties are gone. In California, it was impossible to get fresh turmeric consistently at any price. Finally at the San Isidro farmer’s market we found fresh turmeric always there, always cheap and often in plantable condition so that you could grow your own year round. It was that simple. With turmeric in the ground, let it grow and get well. Please see below for our favorite turmeric drink recipe.

Chocolate: Who does not love it? Cacao trees were in Costa Rica when the Spanish landed. A drink prepared from Cacao was key to spiritual enlightenment in Central America. The Spanish didn’t like it until they learned to add juice from the cane sugar plant. Then they liked it alot and couldn’t get enough.

Cacao grows well in the San Isidro area, and we planted it successfully on our property. The farmer’s market in San Isidro sells gigantic blocks of unsweetened, organic dark chocolate at outstanding prices. The Latin name for the cacao tree is “Theobroma”, which means “drink of the gods”. People think chocolate is stimulating due to caffeine, but it contains very little. The active ingredient is called theobromine which is said to stimulate and revitalize the pineal gland in the center of the brain, also known as the third eye, which is said to connect the human soul to the spirit world. Our recipe for a favorite chocolate drink appears below.

At the farmer’s market, vendors sell coconut water called pipa. You drink it through a straw straight from the chilled coconut. It is refreshing on a hot day and also very good for you. Coconut products, especially organic coconut oil were always on our shopping list. There is a book called “Coconut Cures” written by a doctor about how coconut performs healing miracles.

In that category, are papaya and guanabana (jackfruit). Both are available at the farmer’s market and are grown locally. Papaya can be incorporated into many recipes and also prepared as a drink. Because of its low sugar content it is considered to be one of the best fruits. You can eat the seeds, which are said to have anti-cancer properties. Guanabana is the real heavy weight in that department. Many people will tell you that drinking guadabana cures cancer and they speak from personal experience. Our favorite place to drink either of those fruits is an iconic restaurant called Bazookas which you will find truly memorable.

Other tips about the farmer’s market. There is a notable subgroup among expats in San Isidro who are world class bakers. In our humble opinion, it is worth a trip to San Isidro just to sample the amazing delights produced by bakers selling there. The bar is set very high and competition is intense, but we would draw your attention to a German/Hungarian/Slovak woman named Beatrice. Baking is an art defined by atmosphere. Beatrice works in the mountains near Chirripo National Park and produces things of a textural richness that amplifies flavor. Something about mountain light and air is in there. Her booth is typically surrounded by German speakers and she sells out early. If you have questions about being a parent in Costa Rica, she would have many helpful suggestions and stories.

Also notable are the mint chocolate brownies made with absolutely killer finesse by Sam Harper, who speaks a language known as Texan. In the far corner is a fellow named Wade who is unanimously considered by the organic growers of the area to be the best among them. Wade often has things that he grew which seem to be one of a kind. You will taste them and say, “Hmmm – I’ve never had anything like this before!” He teaches farming and if that is your interest, there is no better place to begin. Other market favorites: Smoked Trout (Ilena’s booth), artisanal butter (Mennonite corner), chia seeds (great omega 3 source, many vendors), organic arugula (next to Wade, sells out early), pau d’arco and cocobolas (chocolate/coconut treats, Jessica Bernhardt). The market is an adventure. You can tell your friends that you went to Costa Rica to be an explorer.

Gosh, its just horrible – how food takes over your mind. I mentioned Bazookas and now can’t stop thinking about it. Their menu is extensive and we tried almost all of it, not on the same day of course. Everything is fantastic. But, what I wanted to tell you is that there are some very cool off-menu items, especially fish and chips. We would say their version is tied for world best with what our Maori neighbors produced in New Zealand using garlic sweet potatoes for the fries.

OK, time for lunch. Salud! And, oh yes, those recipes.

Turmeric Tonic
One heaping handful of bright orange fresh turmeric and an equal amount of fresh ginger.
Blend with a quart of spring water for two minutes on high speed and drain through a strainer. Serve with a dash of black pepper. Serving size about 4 ounces. Best to drink fresh, so you will have enough to share with friends. Keeps for a day in the refrigerator.

Choffee
Boil a quart of spring water. Remove from heat and add 4 rounded tablespoons of coffee grown by a neighbor. Steep for 10 minutes, then pour through a strainer. Then add 3 large tablespoons of grated dark chocolate grown by a neighbor. Also add 1 large gob of coconut oil (which is semi-solid because the morning air is cold) and two large tablespoons of honey (produced locally). Mix with a hand blender for 1-2 minutes. Enjoy with bird song and a rising sun.

Life Is Good!