What’s a cannoli?

Look no further than the Ripon Farmers Market. The Sicilian pastry desserts were back for the second week of the Thursday evening event along a portion of downtown Main Street.

“We do have a few people stop by and ask us about (the cannoli),” said Pamela Panian, owner of Cannoli Corleone based out of Riverbank.

Her confections consist of tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough filled with a homemade ricotta filing and whipped cream cheese. The sweet treat was made popular in Italian American cuisine and, in Panian’s case, comes in four different flavored filings – old fashion lemon tart, raspberry, chocolate chip, and plain.

Cannoli Corleone has been popular in the area farmers’ market circle. Last week in Tracy, for example, Panian reported record-breaking numbers of 612 cannolis sold at one market.

She also sets up shop at outdoor events in Stockton, Modesto and Escalon.

Panian was pleased with last week’s debut in Ripon.

What’s a pluot?

“Half the people here already know what it is,” said Travis Cardoza of Jessup Farms. “The other half will ask us about (pluots).”

Those attending the City of Ripon summer event stopped by his Jessup Farms booth to sample and even purchase this hybrid fruit grown from a plum and an apricot. The taste is described as extremely sweet due to the high sugar levels.

Pluots also have a great deal of nutrition value while low in fat.

How do you cool down at the Ripon Farmers Market when temperatures sizzle into the 90s?

Jake Parks had the answer for that. The owner and operator of Jake’s Coffee, Tea & Sandwiches provided Italian sodas and sweet teas coupled with sandwich wraps.

“On hot days like this people prefer something nice and cold,” he said.

The Ripon City Councilman also enjoyed being part of the street event after a one-year hiatus.

“It’s a good way to get out into the community and talk with people,” Parks said.

The Ripon Farmers Market is held each Thursday during the summer months, from 4 to 7 p.m.

For more information, call the City of Ripon at 209-599-2108 or click on to www.cityofripon.org.