Los Angeles - December 19, 2008

Frost Bites

Carmela Ice Cream

Carmela giving you the cold shoulder?

Well, what do you expect from ice cream?

Made in small batches using all-natural and local ingredients, the frozen delights change seasonally — or at the whim of Jessica Mortarotti, the head churner who cranked things up after attending the prestigious Penn State Ice Cream Short Course (star alums? Ben & Jerry).

Scoop up brown sugar vanilla bean, dark chocolate cacao nib, and salted caramel classics, along with signature herb, spice, nut, and flower flavors like cardamom, nutmeg, strawberry basil, and cranberry orange thyme.

Sample them all at the farmers market and cruise home with four-ounce containers and full pints or order a six-pint flavor assortment online and indulge for days.

Just watch your dairy airs.

Available Thursdays, 4-8 p.m., at South Pasadena Farmers’ Market, Meridian Avenue and Mission Street, South Pasadena; Sundays, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., at Hollywood Farmers’ Market, Ivar and Selma Avenues, Hollywood; online at carmelaicecream.com.