Farmer's Markets
Any other SEer's out there anxiously awaiting the opening of the Farmer's Markets near them? We've had unseasonably warm weather lately, in the mid 70's, (although it's getting down to freezing tonight), and it has really has me thinking about all the fresh produce coming soon. I'm envious of all of you who have Farmer's Markets year round! What are you looking forward to the most?
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22 Comments:
Well, not so much from the markets as I will go pick them instead, but for me it is strawberries.
I keep seeing them in the stores and I am just drooling waiting for the ones that will taste sweet and juicy rather than cardboard dry and pale.
From the markets I want herbs. Not growing any this year and I want some good ones from the market when I need them....dying without good fresh ones, and the supermarket packages just aren't the same at all.
sadiepix at 11:01PM on 03/19/09
I'm looking forward to salad stuff. Pretty baby lettuces. Tomatoes. Green peppers. Cukes. Zukes.
Aw, heck, there's not much I'm NOT looking forward to.
dbcurrie at 11:22PM on 03/19/09
Ours don't open until the beginning of May, but here's what I'm looking forward to:
Smoked sablefish
Sugar-snap peas
Blueberries
Peach-jalapeno jelly
French breakfast radishes (I never ended up trying them last year)
Organic beef from a nearby farm
Also, I really like chatting with the vendors about their produce. It's definitely something I miss once the farmer's markets are closed for the winter.
Junie at 9:08AM on 03/20/09
Yes! Yes! Yes! In the past, I've always had to drive at least 30 miles one way to go to a farmer's market. This year, my small farming community town is hosting it's very own. I say it's about time,as several of my favorite vendors at the far away markets are actually from my area. I am beyond excited, and cannot wait to check it out. I'm only going to have to walk three blocks instead of driving all that way!
ErikaWaz at 9:51AM on 03/20/09
I'm really lucky to live in an area that has a year round farmer's market. Right now becuase buisness is slow they bring in new vendors, so we have people selling fresh milk (including really awesome chocolate milk) boston bib lettuce and freshly picked chantrelles mushrooms. I should count my lucky stars.
I'm really looking foward to strawberry season, those are my favorite fruit.
missjess at 10:36AM on 03/20/09
It is strawberry season now in Plant City Florida and our local veg stand (equivalent) to a Farmers Market has nice ones. Funny thing here is that when it gets hot the markets go the way of snowbirds.
katarina_santiago at 11:11AM on 03/20/09
I recently moved to a rural community and there isn't really a farmer's market, but there are great roadside stands. People just put out there produce every morning and then leave and count on the honor system. They put up a sign with prices and you just leave money. Better than that though, this area specializes in mint. So you drive down these country roads and every week the mint smells a little sweeter. Which just gets you hungry for the berries, there are lots of berry farms around here; blueberries and raspberries. YUM!
coltsfanchris at 12:43PM on 03/20/09
I am being to see Asparagus are available at the markets in SF bay area.
gnomatic at 12:48PM on 03/20/09
I'm pretty excited about the goat cheese. My local farmers' market has a lot of prepared food, since it's a bit of a tourist attraction, and I find a lot of the vegetables are not as nice as the ones I can get from farm stands. The cheeses and honeys, though....Mmmm...
Phaeolus at 4:34PM on 03/20/09
Summer fruits and summer vegetables...here in the hinterlands of NJ (this is the Garden State, you know) anything that is on my plate within hours of being picked is the stuff of Winter dreams and Spring's anticipation.
thegoch at 10:49PM on 03/20/09
Our markets are also year-round, and the variety is generally good all year. However, it's the swapmeet I love. The swapmeet is where the biggest, freshest produce goes. You can also get great Mexican food for lunch, an agua fresca, and churro.
beth1 at 11:12PM on 03/20/09
We have those roadside honor stands too, and I just love them, especially come zucchini season! I no longer live near a big farmer's market, so those are a boon, as well as a great treat when driving further out.
Good asparagus is also starting to call me. The 'asparagus lady' a few miles from me has put out her 'coming soon' sign and I can't wait!
sadiepix at 7:23AM on 03/21/09
How funny I should read this thread this morning! I just mentioned to my husband last night that I am anxiously awaiting the opening of our local farmers' market (in about 6 weeks, I think). I never went last year because, frankly, I'm pretty new to true cooking. I am ashamed to say that I didn't even know we had one around here until a few months ago. But I'm going to make up for ignorance and neglect this year!!
mollykate678 at 9:36AM on 03/21/09
yes, i can't wait also, it's so great to see the lines of produce that pop up every summer. i live in upstate ny and one of our local growers actually grew sweet potatoes. now that's very cool up here. and i think some are going to try to grow artichokes.
yes, love the bounty, the colors, tastes and textures of the farmer's markets....
pooch at 10:32AM on 03/21/09
our union square greenmarket has stalls all year round when weather permits, so i try to buy my eggs, bread, carrots, potatoes, apples, goat milk yogurt, and dried beans from there when possible. but i am sooo looking forward to apricots, sour cherries, sugar snap peas, sungold tomatoes, tristar strawberries, corn, watermelon, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, tatsoi, spinach, squash blossoms, rocambole garlic...
cybercita at 12:00PM on 03/21/09
Yes yes yes!!!! Tomatoes, chili jam, peaches, berries, olives, cheese!!! Not to mention the grilled hot dogs, roasted corn, and old-fashioned merry-go-round my son loves to ride.
buffy at 1:29PM on 03/21/09
I really miss having a good farmers market here in the "agricultural center" of California. I have heard SE'rs talking about what you get at your local markets, and I am so jealous. We have a Flea Market, which sells mostly South East Asian vegetables on Saturdays, and the Hmong Strawberry huts all over town, that sell strawberries, berries, onions, and Asian veg. One year I stopped by one about 3 blocks from my house and they were selling English peas. I bought all they had. The next year I went back and they said there was no market for the peas here. Very sad.
lamora at 12:32AM on 03/23/09
I'm looking forward to fresh asparagus, fava beans and garlic shoots. I also can't wait for the fresh eggs, local strawberries and baby lettuce. I am tired of winter food.
JudyH at 1:20PM on 03/23/09
I look forward to the peas, carrots, and potatoes every year. The Hutterites and Mennonites grow the best produce around. I just can't wait!
I am green with envy of those who have year round markets!
mandylynn902 at 1:49PM on 03/23/09
i can't wait to pass by the farmer's market on my way to work and grab a baked goodie (usually a croissant) for breakfast, then come back on my lunch break for fresh berries, tomatoes, summer squash, sugar snap peas, and new veggies that i have yet to learn what to do with!
HappyJack at 2:06PM on 03/23/09
I live in NC and our State Farmers Market is open year round. I have been going all winter to get sweet potatoes, greens and cabbages. I am anxiously awaiting strawberries, green peas and butter beans in the next couple of weeks!
Jennefur at 9:09AM on 03/24/09
I live in NC so I have a year round farmer's market. :) I have been lucky enough to have locally grown butter, eggs, sweet potatoes, turnips, and greens throughout the winter. But I am getting tired of root veggies and the dregs of the apple crop. I can't wait for berries and peaches and asparagus!
ProfessorChaos at 10:15AM on 03/24/09