Market Scene: Chicago in May
Federal Plaza Farmers' Market
Adams and Dearborn streets; chicagofarmersmarkets.us. Tuesdays, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
I was a bit surprised to pop up from the Blue Line to find Federal Plaza in downtown Chicago filled with vendors. All of them were basically underneath the towering sculpture Flamingo by Alexander Calder. It was quite a sight, and a genuine Chicago moment. Last time I went to the market, the pickings were slim. Would I find success this time? There are still more stands selling flowers than food, but it's hard to get too upset while walking around.
At least the plants Smits Farm was selling were herbs ready for the kitchen. I need to restock. They had tarragon, parsley, thyme, and loads of basil. They promised me that as long as I watered them and kept them in the light, they would grow.
I still haven't used all the honey I bought from my last farmers market visit. But the honey they had at Lehmans Orchard from Niles, Michigan did look thick, unctuous, and incredible. As did their dried assortment of dried berries.
What I wanted to see was produce, and luckily one stand was overflowing with it. Nichols Farm & Orchard had a full table packed with large bags of spinach. I scored one for about $3.
They also had some incredible looking asparagus in both regular green and delightful purple. They assured me that the latter ones could be cooked in exactly the same way, and would turn green. How cool. Spring onions, fresh garlic, and leeks were also out in full force.
The Nichols Farm also had basil, but they had more. Tables upon tables of the stuff stretch throughout the plaza.
Standing in the middle of Federal Plaza, with the waft of the basil floating by and a bright sunny day shining down, it was good to know that Chicago is getting ready for summer. I can't wait to see what comes next.
In Season
Spinach
Asparagus
Fresh garlic
Scallions
Rhubarb
Coming Soon
Arugula
Lettuces
Green beans
Strawberries
About the author: Nick Kindelsperger is a Chicago-based freelance writer and a co-founder of The Paupered Chef.
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
5 Comments:
I've always loved that Picasso, and that they're using the Plaza for a market is wonderful.
And I want to commend you on a lovely use of the word "unctuous" in describing the honey - very obscure, great fun. Well done!
Womandingo at 5:43PM on 05/25/09
I try to make it to this market every week during the season and I must say it's one of my favorites in Chicago. Just a tip: go early, it gets swarmed later in the day.
estepcha at 5:58PM on 05/25/09
Hey SE! The markets are swinging in the Twin Cities now too. The St. Paul farmer's market, which I visitied this weekend while visiting family, has a 75 mile radius limit. All products must be produced within 75 miles in order to be at the market. There were definitely plenty of bedding plants and herbs, but there were also wonderful local cheeses, meats, eggs, and the beginnings of real produce. We found lettuces and asparagus, radishes and spring onions- one vendor even had tomatoes, which we weren't brave enough to try given their likely greenhouse production. Anyway, just wanted to give the cities markets a shout out. The St,Paul one was lovely.
ErikaWaz at 9:17PM on 05/25/09
Love this market under the orange Calder (not Picasso...! that market happens on another day.)
I love your report of what is available and will visit this
marche very soon, and early in the day and stock up on
basils and a few other herbs to fill out my garden
Merci beaucoup...!
metrogirl at 1:13AM on 05/26/09
Why is Nichols Farm at every single farmer's market in Chicagoland, with more produce than any other stand, and have it earlier than anyone else? Could it really all be from a local farm? I'm suspicious. Someone should do an expose.
rachelb at 3:01PM on 05/26/09