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.
