Market Scene: Spring in the Midwest
Compared to our West Coast brethren, the fresh picks in the Midwest still look slim. Sure, we have the odd morel (expensive!) and asparagus a-plenty, but compared to the West Coast’s plethora of spring greens and fava beans and the East Coast's odd eggs, we’re still waiting for something to get really excited about.
And that’s when you can find an open market. In Columbus, Ohio many of the markets I relied on last year haven’t even opened yet (most open next week, I’ve heard). Of the ones that are, I had the most luck at the Saturday morning Farmer’s Market at the North Market. Even though half of the market was filled with potted plants and loads of flowers, I was able to pick up a few gems and create a truly wonderful lunch.
Wishwell Farms in Bellefontaine, Ohio had an assortment of hydroponic tomatoes, but the real find was the massive and very beautiful asparagus for $4.99 a pound. That’s a steal. They were still extremely tender, and roasted up beautifully in the oven when I got home.
I had the main vegetable, but still needed something a little more unusual. That’s when I found the baby garlic at H - W Organic Farms. I had just read Daniel Patterson’s article in the New York Times about his love of the spring vegetable (and of his aversion to the real stuff, great article).
So I snatched up a bunch of them and created the same mayonnaise-like sauce that he used on a bunch of artichokes, and instead drizzled it over the above mentioned fat asparagus. It had a clean herbal flavor, with a tad more bite than regular mayonnaise.
The best and least expected find was from Freshwater Farms of Ohio. This being the middle of Ohio, I didn’t expect to see much fresh fish hanging out at the market. I’ve tried to be high and mighty about farm raised fish, preferring to pay more for the wild stuff that’s flown in.
But perhaps I have been wrong all this time. I was swayed by their humane practices, and also the fact that they had "smoked trout dog treats." My puppy would love them!
All the fish they farm are indigenous to Ohio, so there weren’t any mighty salmon laid out, but there was some pretty lovely looking rainbow trout. They assured me it had been swimming the day before. The filleted fish was enough for the fiancee and I to have for a spectacular lunch, all for about $6. They said to keep it simple, so I quickly sautéed it in a little butter and seasoned it will salt and pepper. And it was surprisingly great. I’m a convert.
Seasonal Produce Guide
In Season Right Now
Baby garlic
Asparagus
Baby leeks
Spinach
Coming Soon
Strawberries
Fresh peas
New green apples
About the author: Nick Kindelsperger is a co-founder of The Paupered Chef, a blog dedicated to saving time and money while enjoying food in every way possible. He sells wine for a living and lives in Columbus, Ohio.
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8 Comments:
In Minneapolis this Saturday, at the excellent Mill City Farmers' Market (all local) the pickings were slim veggie-wise, but I did get an awesomely huge bag of dandelion greens for $2, some fresh sheep's milk cheese, and spectacular butter. And there was also pet food and smoked fish and preserves that were, I'm sure, made from last year's crops but quite tasty nonetheless.
Looking forward to greens that don't need cooking, but what with tonight's frost advisory it may be a couple more weeks...
thatgrrl at 12:50AM on 05/20/08
Nice write up with lovely pictures. Thanks for giving a perspective from your part of the world (along with all the great links).
I missed my markets this weekend. I was so looking forward to going as there was rumors of strawberries but when the time came I just felt too tired which I didn't understand. Turned out I was coming down with something really icky my daughter had brought me home from her school. Hoping I'll make it for the mid-week afternoon version but it's a bit smaller so might not have the berries. However, whatever isn't there yet will make it that much sweeter when it does show up.
Sieseye at 6:30AM on 05/20/08
I was at the exact same market Saturday...although I was the only shopper there at the time because of the Komen Race for the Cure. The asparagus was great!
earlybirdkate at 10:43AM on 05/20/08
The Worthington Farmer's market has been mostly flowers but my sources have told me that it'll be much more veggie-filled this weekend. (And hopefully a bit less crowded, sheeeesh.)
jd7979 at 11:27AM on 05/20/08
Hah. hahaha. You thought Worthington was crowded THIS weekend? That's the best it's going to get all year. Once July-Sept is here, you can barely walk through all the strollers, wagons, and cart thingies. You have to get there eaaarrrly, like before it's supposed to start early (I get there at 8:30-8:45 and it's still usually crowded but manageable).
I also enjoyed some of that delicious asparagus this weekend. Plus some mozzarella and a halloumi-type cheese from a new vendor, Blue Jacket Cheese.
Charise at 3:49PM on 05/20/08
The Clintonville Market starts this Saturday and it's not quite as crowded as Worthington's.
earlybirdkate at 4:06PM on 05/20/08
I live 20 mins south of Freshwater Farms. The guy who runs it is really nice and in addition to running his own farm, teaches other fish farmers how to run theirs in a sustainable, humane way. They also have a yearly fish and shrimp festival/parade...it tends to coincide with an Ohio State football game, which they show on an improvised big screen (the wall of the barn). Good times.
akk328 at 2:14PM on 05/27/08
Hey, thatgrrl -- I went to Mill City Farmers' market but was really disappointed. There seemed to be way more non-food things compared to actual food items. I heard the St. Paul's market is much better, have you been?
Keckler at 1:27PM on 06/16/08