Tag: in season

At The Market: Sunflowers and Bees!

"I'll throw in the bees for free," said Simeon Cook as I alerted Ed to the bees buzzing the sunflowers around the Cook's Farm and Bakery stand at the Copley Square Farmers' Market.

This time of year, markets are ablaze with the glorious glow of sunflowers. Anyone who's bought these beauties straight from the farm will tell you that, just like the other market goods, they last longer than their mainstream counterparts.

Have you ever dined on sunflower? We did a couple of years ago at Erbaluce. Wicked Tasty Harvest wrote about that dish here. You have probably also enjoyed sunflower seeds and sunflower oil. Plus, you may have eaten Jerusalem artichokes – a species of sunflower.

This makes me wonder if some of the masses of sunflowers at the market are being turned into meals by savvy cooks. If you are tempted to try, please read the tips in the Wicked Tasty Harvest post.

The Word from the Farms & Markets

Ben Sommer, Copley Square Farmers' Market Manager writes, "Just because the summer is almost over, don't think that the season is. The first few weeks of September are some of our farmers' most bounteous weeks, when they still have all that great summer produce like tomatoes and stone fruits, but are also starting to get those colder weather crops as well, like apples and broccoli."

Mass Farmers Markets September newsletter included this advice, "Instead of rushing through the market to stock up on the familiar corn, apples and tomatoes which are traditional and nutritious, think about adding items to your shopping list such as kohlrabi, husk tomatoes, purslane, and Brazilian cucumbers. These are just a few of the unique options available at a farmers market near you during the month of September. Give one or more of these a try this month, you it will be worth the adventure!"

In Season, Right Now!

Each week, more apple varieties appear. Be sure to talk with your farmer and try a few of the heirloom apples. They may not be as pretty but they are full of flavor. Have you tried a crab apple lately? They come in both tart and sweet varieties.

Get Some Before It's Gone!

Tomatoes and Sweet Corn always disappear before I'm ready to give them up. This time of year, I buy some at each market.

Coming Soon!

Winter squash, potted herbs for winter windowsills.

Follow all our Local Food/Farmers' Markets and At The Market reports:

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your Kitchen & Dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino (from Cook's Farm and Bakery, and Siena Farms)

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

September 5, 2013
At the Market: Fruit Is Popping up All Over!

These July Red apples are among the first of the local, apple crop to pop up at the Foppema’s Farm (still known to some as Keown Orchards) stand at the Copley Square Farmers’ Market.

Since we shop this market twice a week, we include many photos from this venue. However, many of the same vendors appear at other markets around the area and the same local crops will be in-season at most Massachusetts markets.

Stone Fruit like these plums plus some white and yellow peaches have also made their appearance.

And, it is the height of blueberry and raspberry season. We bring our own berry containers to the market to transport these delicate beauties home in top condition.

The Word from the Farms & Markets

Peter Ward, Manager of the Central Square Farmers’ Market, broadcast this shout out after the heat wave. “…we thank customers who toughed it out and shopped during the prolonged heat wave. The Farmers Market stays open for business rain or, in this case shine. And a tip o’ the cap to the folks who picked crops, weeded and bailed hay back on the baked farm fields.”

(These particular squash blossoms were from Flats Mentor Farm.)

Ben Sommer, Copley Square Farmers’ Market manager, said he bought, “… some very delicate squash blossoms from Siena Farms the other day. These ephemeral and fragile blooms can be best used stuffed with burrata from Fiore Di Nonno, or some fresh herbed Chevre from Crystal Brook Farm, then fried up, a great and easy appetizer.”

In Season, Right Now!

This is the height of the summer season. The stands are full of the foods you’ll want to savor while they last. Field tomatoes, sweet corn, summer squash, blueberries, greens, new potatoes, onions, herbs, carrots, turnips, eggplant, peppers, cabbage, beets… The list goes on-and-on.

Get Some Before It’s Gone!

Barbara Hamilton of Hamilton Orchards tells us that we were seeing the last of her red currents and green gooseberries. Foppema said they are still picking red currents.

Coming Soon!

Our favorite Saturn Peaches are just a couple of week’s away. We’ll buy them by the bagful and eat them daily until their season wanes.

Market Tip: If you are in a hurry and need to ask who has a specific item, stop by the Market Manager’s Table at your local market. The staff there can usually answer questions like this or they will know how to find out quickly.

Follow all our Local Food/Farmers’ Markets and At The Market reports:

What’s on your Food Lover’s Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your Kitchen & Dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers’ comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

July 25, 2013
At the Market: Fruit Is Popping up All Over!

These July Red apples are among the first of the local, apple crop to pop up at the Foppema’s Farm (still known to some as Keown Orchards) stand at the Copley Square Farmers’ Market.

Since we shop this market twice a week, we include many photos from this venue. However, many of the same vendors appear at other markets around the area and the same local crops will be in-season at most Massachusetts markets.

Stone Fruit like these plums plus some white and yellow peaches have also made their appearance.

And, it is the height of blueberry and raspberry season. We bring our own berry containers to the market to transport these delicate beauties home in top condition.

The Word from the Farms & Markets

Peter Ward, Manager of the Central Square Farmers’ Market, broadcast this shout out after the heat wave. “…we thank customers who toughed it out and shopped during the prolonged heat wave. The Farmers Market stays open for business rain or, in this case shine. And a tip o’ the cap to the folks who picked crops, weeded and bailed hay back on the baked farm fields.”

(These particular squash blossoms were from Flats Mentor Farm.)

Ben Sommer, Copley Square Farmers’ Market manager, said he bought, “… some very delicate squash blossoms from Siena Farms the other day. These ephemeral and fragile blooms can be best used stuffed with burrata from Fiore Di Nonno, or some fresh herbed Chevre from Crystal Brook Farm, then fried up, a great and easy appetizer.”

In Season, Right Now!

This is the height of the summer season. The stands are full of the foods you’ll want to savor while they last. Field tomatoes, sweet corn, summer squash, blueberries, greens, new potatoes, onions, herbs, carrots, turnips, eggplant, peppers, cabbage, beets… The list goes on-and-on.

Get Some Before It’s Gone!

Barbara Hamilton of Hamilton Orchards tells us that we were seeing the last of her red currents and green gooseberries. Foppema said they are still picking red currents.

Coming Soon!

Our favorite Saturn Peaches are just a couple of week’s away. We’ll buy them by the bagful and eat them daily until their season wanes.

Market Tip: If you are in a hurry and need to ask who has a specific item, stop by the Market Manager’s Table at your local market. The staff there can usually answer questions like this or they will know how to find out quickly.

Follow all our Local Food/Farmers’ Markets and At The Market reports:

What’s on your Food Lover’s Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your Kitchen & Dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers’ comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

July 25, 2013
At the Market: Fruit Is Popping up All Over!

These July Red apples are among the first of the local, apple crop to pop up at the Foppema’s Farm (still known to some as Keown Orchards) stand at the Copley Square Farmers’ Market.

Since we shop this market twice a week, we include many photos from this venue. However, many of the same vendors appear at other markets around the area and the same local crops will be in-season at most Massachusetts markets.

Stone Fruit like these plums plus some white and yellow peaches have also made their appearance.

And, it is the height of blueberry and raspberry season. We bring our own berry containers to the market to transport these delicate beauties home in top condition.

The Word from the Farms & Markets

Peter Ward, Manager of the Central Square Farmers’ Market, broadcast this shout out after the heat wave. “…we thank customers who toughed it out and shopped during the prolonged heat wave. The Farmers Market stays open for business rain or, in this case shine. And a tip o’ the cap to the folks who picked crops, weeded and bailed hay back on the baked farm fields.”

(These particular squash blossoms were from Flats Mentor Farm.)

Ben Sommer, Copley Square Farmers’ Market manager, said he bought, “… some very delicate squash blossoms from Siena Farms the other day. These ephemeral and fragile blooms can be best used stuffed with burrata from Fiore Di Nonno, or some fresh herbed Chevre from Crystal Brook Farm, then fried up, a great and easy appetizer.”

In Season, Right Now!

This is the height of the summer season. The stands are full of the foods you’ll want to savor while they last. Field tomatoes, sweet corn, summer squash, blueberries, greens, new potatoes, onions, herbs, carrots, turnips, eggplant, peppers, cabbage, beets… The list goes on-and-on.

Get Some Before It’s Gone!

Barbara Hamilton of Hamilton Orchards tells us that we were seeing the last of her red currents and green gooseberries. Foppema said they are still picking red currents.

Coming Soon!

Our favorite Saturn Peaches are just a couple of week’s away. We’ll buy them by the bagful and eat them daily until their season wanes.

Market Tip: If you are in a hurry and need to ask who has a specific item, stop by the Market Manager’s Table at your local market. The staff there can usually answer questions like this or they will know how to find out quickly.

Follow all our Local Food/Farmers’ Markets and At The Market reports:

What’s on your Food Lover’s Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your Kitchen & Dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers’ comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

July 25, 2013
At the Market: Flowers, Too!

You see many customers at area farmers' markets carrying bouquets of flowers in addition to their food purchases. This mixed bouquet above is from Atlas Farm at the Copley Square Farmers' Market.

My friend Liz raves about the lilies and other flowers she buys from Stow Greenhouses.

And, it's worth a trip to the Newton market for the wonderful arrangements from Old Friends Farm.

The Word from the Farms & Market Managers

Lily Carone from Atlas Farm says, "… we have River Valley Farm Blueberries – a rain loving crop which are so plump and sweet this summer, it almost makes us pause in cursing the weather…"

Louisa Denison, Manager of the Harvard University Farmers' Markets, sent out a recipe for Blueberry Lemonade.

From Jan at Warren Farm & Sugarhouse

Blueberry Lemonade
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4 small lemons)
2 cups water
*2 cups fresh blueberries
*1/2 cup maple syrup
Garnish: lemon slices
Process first 4 ingredients in a blender until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Pour through a wire-mesh strainer into a pitcher, discarding solids. Serve over ice, and garnish, if desired. Yield: 5 cups

In Season, Right Now!

Blueberries, gooseberries, raspberries, cherries, new potatoes.

Lily from Atlas said, "This week, we added white sweet spanish onions and eggplant to our harvest list….and peppers are not far behind. Our own raspberry crop on our new land in South Deerfield is full of flavorful bright berries too…leaving little to be desired."

Looking Forward!

The crew from Old Friends Farm sent a message to their ginger fans. "Our ginger crop (bless it's little rhyzomial heart) is the weediest we have seen in years – it's actually quite embarrassing. You would think we would have it down by now… We just finished weeding it, and its already time to start at the beginning again." This ginger should show up in September.

Follow all our Local Food/Farmers' Markets and At The Market reports:

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your Kitchen & Dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

July 18, 2013
At the Market: Flowers, Too!

You see many customers at area farmers' markets carrying bouquets of flowers in addition to their food purchases. This mixed bouquet above is from Atlas Farm at the Copley Square Farmers' Market.

My friend Liz raves about the lilies and other flowers she buys from Stow Greenhouses.

And, it's worth a trip to the Newton market for the wonderful arrangements from Old Friends Farm.

The Word from the Farms & Market Managers

Lily Carone from Atlas Farm says, "… we have River Valley Farm Blueberries – a rain loving crop which are so plump and sweet this summer, it almost makes us pause in cursing the weather…"

Louisa Denison, Manager of the Harvard University Farmers' Markets, sent out a recipe for Blueberry Lemonade.

From Jan at Warren Farm & Sugarhouse

Blueberry Lemonade
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4 small lemons)
2 cups water
*2 cups fresh blueberries
*1/2 cup maple syrup
Garnish: lemon slices
Process first 4 ingredients in a blender until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Pour through a wire-mesh strainer into a pitcher, discarding solids. Serve over ice, and garnish, if desired. Yield: 5 cups

In Season, Right Now!

Blueberries, gooseberries, raspberries, cherries, new potatoes.

Lily from Atlas said, "This week, we added white sweet spanish onions and eggplant to our harvest list….and peppers are not far behind. Our own raspberry crop on our new land in South Deerfield is full of flavorful bright berries too…leaving little to be desired."

Looking Forward!

The crew from Old Friends Farm sent a message to their ginger fans. "Our ginger crop (bless it's little rhyzomial heart) is the weediest we have seen in years – it's actually quite embarrassing. You would think we would have it down by now… We just finished weeding it, and its already time to start at the beginning again." This ginger should show up in September.

Follow all our Local Food/Farmers' Markets and At The Market reports:

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your Kitchen & Dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

July 18, 2013
At the Market: Flowers, Too!

You see many customers at area farmers' markets carrying bouquets of flowers in addition to their food purchases. This mixed bouquet above is from Atlas Farm at the Copley Square Farmers' Market.

My friend Liz raves about the lilies and other flowers she buys from Stow Greenhouses.

And, it's worth a trip to the Newton market for the wonderful arrangements from Old Friends Farm.

The Word from the Farms & Market Managers

Lily Carone from Atlas Farm says, "… we have River Valley Farm Blueberries – a rain loving crop which are so plump and sweet this summer, it almost makes us pause in cursing the weather…"

Louisa Denison, Manager of the Harvard University Farmers' Markets, sent out a recipe for Blueberry Lemonade.

From Jan at Warren Farm & Sugarhouse

Blueberry Lemonade
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4 small lemons)
2 cups water
*2 cups fresh blueberries
*1/2 cup maple syrup
Garnish: lemon slices
Process first 4 ingredients in a blender until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Pour through a wire-mesh strainer into a pitcher, discarding solids. Serve over ice, and garnish, if desired. Yield: 5 cups

In Season, Right Now!

Blueberries, gooseberries, raspberries, cherries, new potatoes.

Lily from Atlas said, "This week, we added white sweet spanish onions and eggplant to our harvest list….and peppers are not far behind. Our own raspberry crop on our new land in South Deerfield is full of flavorful bright berries too…leaving little to be desired."

Looking Forward!

The crew from Old Friends Farm sent a message to their ginger fans. "Our ginger crop (bless it's little rhyzomial heart) is the weediest we have seen in years – it's actually quite embarrassing. You would think we would have it down by now… We just finished weeding it, and its already time to start at the beginning again." This ginger should show up in September.

Follow all our Local Food/Farmers' Markets and At The Market reports:

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your Kitchen & Dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

July 18, 2013
At The Market: Strawberry Season!

The scent of strawberries is in the air at local farmers' markets, this week, and shoppers all seem to have a basket or two or three among their selections. We captured our friend Bob Oppenheim buying his berrys at the Atlas Farm Stand during Tuesday's Copley Square market.

We purchased these beauties from Hamiltion Orchards. Is it possible for berries to have terroir? Whatever the secret, Barbara Hamilton and her crew grow some delicious berries. We ask her every market when her blueberries will be coming.

If pick-your-own is on your agenda, you can start checking your favorite places to see if they've opened their strawberry fields for the season.

The big displays of garden plants are slowly being replaced with harvested greens and vegetables. If you are thinking of adding some herbs to your life, this is the time to buy the plants.

In Season, Right Now!

Strawberries, hakurei turnips, fennel, broccoli, mushrooms, garlic scrapes, salad mix, lettuce, arugula, radishes, beets, scallions, kolrabi, rhubarb, bok choi, chard, small onions with green tops, snap peas, sweet peas, herbs, hot house tomatoes, and honey. Plus, you'll find annuals, herbs, and vegetable plants.

Get Some Before It's Gone!

Green garlic, garlic scrapes, pea tendrils – many farms will stop bring plants to market when they have enough produce to fill their stands.

Coming Soon!

After strawberry season comes blueberry season. I start looking for the first blues about July 4th.

Follow all our Local Food/Farmers' Markets and At The Market reports:

We heard talk about some early hothouse tomatoes. Curtis Stillman said Stillman's Farm would soon have kale and their first peas.

What's on your Food Lover's shopping list? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

June 20, 2013
At The Market: Strawberry Season!

The scent of strawberries is in the air at local farmers' markets, this week, and shoppers all seem to have a basket or two or three among their selections. We captured our friend Bob Oppenheim buying his berrys at the Atlas Farm Stand during Tuesday's Copley Square market.

We purchased these beauties from Hamiltion Orchards. Is it possible for berries to have terroir? Whatever the secret, Barbara Hamilton and her crew grow some delicious berries. We ask her every market when her blueberries will be coming.

If pick-your-own is on your agenda, you can start checking your favorite places to see if they've opened their strawberry fields for the season.

The big displays of garden plants are slowly being replaced with harvested greens and vegetables. If you are thinking of adding some herbs to your life, this is the time to buy the plants.

In Season, Right Now!

Strawberries, hakurei turnips, fennel, broccoli, mushrooms, garlic scrapes, salad mix, lettuce, arugula, radishes, beets, scallions, kolrabi, rhubarb, bok choi, chard, small onions with green tops, snap peas, sweet peas, herbs, hot house tomatoes, and honey. Plus, you'll find annuals, herbs, and vegetable plants.

Get Some Before It's Gone!

Green garlic, garlic scrapes, pea tendrils – many farms will stop bring plants to market when they have enough produce to fill their stands.

Coming Soon!

After strawberry season comes blueberry season. I start looking for the first blues about July 4th.

Follow all our Local Food/Farmers' Markets and At The Market reports:

We heard talk about some early hothouse tomatoes. Curtis Stillman said Stillman's Farm would soon have kale and their first peas.

What's on your Food Lover's shopping list? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

June 20, 2013
At The Market: Strawberry Season!

The scent of strawberries is in the air at local farmers' markets, this week, and shoppers all seem to have a basket or two or three among their selections. We captured our friend Bob Oppenheim buying his berrys at the Atlas Farm Stand during Tuesday's Copley Square market.

We purchased these beauties from Hamiltion Orchards. Is it possible for berries to have terroir? Whatever the secret, Barbara Hamilton and her crew grow some delicious berries. We ask her every market when her blueberries will be coming.

If pick-your-own is on your agenda, you can start checking your favorite places to see if they've opened their strawberry fields for the season.

The big displays of garden plants are slowly being replaced with harvested greens and vegetables. If you are thinking of adding some herbs to your life, this is the time to buy the plants.

In Season, Right Now!

Strawberries, hakurei turnips, fennel, broccoli, mushrooms, garlic scrapes, salad mix, lettuce, arugula, radishes, beets, scallions, kolrabi, rhubarb, bok choi, chard, small onions with green tops, snap peas, sweet peas, herbs, hot house tomatoes, and honey. Plus, you'll find annuals, herbs, and vegetable plants.

Get Some Before It's Gone!

Green garlic, garlic scrapes, pea tendrils – many farms will stop bring plants to market when they have enough produce to fill their stands.

Coming Soon!

After strawberry season comes blueberry season. I start looking for the first blues about July 4th.

Follow all our Local Food/Farmers' Markets and At The Market reports:

We heard talk about some early hothouse tomatoes. Curtis Stillman said Stillman's Farm would soon have kale and their first peas.

What's on your Food Lover's shopping list? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

June 20, 2013