Tag: blueberries

  • Fruit Plates Are Our Favorite Afternoon Snacks

    Working from home can be dangerous to your waistline, unless you're careful about snacks. At about three every afternoon, we both need a little pick-me-up.

    IMG_1525 copy

    Our snack of choice is fruit. Some days it's just an apple. But, when our fruit basket is full of delicious ripe berries and peaches, they will make an appearance.

    IMG_4559 copy

    Occasionally, when the cheese drawer has a perfect match like this cheddar, a bit of cheese will join the party.

    IMG_1405 copy

    We have added fruit to our cheese trays over the years and now have quite a few favorite combinations like these bits of brie with figs. 

    IMG_1591 copy

    When the stone fruit season is at its height, it can be fun to taste the contrasts. On this plate we had a sweet, luscious Saturn peach, a tart apricot, and a plum that was right in the middle of the other two on the sweet/tart scale.

    The blueberries were on the plate to add color. We eat with our eyes and the contrast makes the plate of healthy fruit as attractive as a fancy and high-calorie fruit tart.

     

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • At The Market: Mushrooms, Shallots, Sage & Granola…

    No, that's not a recipe, but it is a list of some of the many things that caught our attention at the markets this week.

    CHE_9571 - Version 22013-08-27-granola-cooks-farm-orchards-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Lets's start with the granola. Over on the Chowhound Boston board someone announced to area food lovers what we have known for a long time. Cook's Farm & Bakery makes great granola.

    "Chuck S" asked, "Granola as good as Cook's Farm?" This former granola abstainer was now addicted and wanted more sources of granola greatness.

    Penny replied, "Another Cook's Farm fan here. Love the granola which I believe is sweetened with their own maple syrup. That may be part of the reason you enjoy it. Earlier this year, they had some granola bars that were wonderful and my husband is addicted to their oatmeal raisin cookies. Seems they have a way with oats!"

    So, stop by this stand at Copley or any of the other markets where you can find them summer and winter. And, if you're in foliage country in the months ahead, visit them in Brimfield, MA or Newbury, VT.

    CHE_9457 - Version 22013-08-27-sienna-farm- mushrooms-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    CHE_9460 - Version 22013-08-27-sienna-farm- mushrooms-© 2011 Penny Cherubino  CHE_9469 - Version 22013-08-27-sienna-farm-mushrooms-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Click on any photo for a larger version.

    The rest of the title – mushrooms, shallots, and sage sauted with a bit of butter would make a great supper. You could deglaze the pan with some red wine and stock and serve it on toast or along side a prefectly grilled ribeye.

    CHE_9481 - Version 22013-08-27-sienna-farm-shallots-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    CHE_9471 - Version 22013-08-27-sienna-farm-sage-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    All three of these ingredients are from Siena Farms.

    The Word from the Farms & Markets

    Ben Sommer, manager of the Copley Square Farmers' Market, says, "Can you believe that farmers market season is half over. Now let's get to the good half! Having a job like this I am continuously amazed by how incredible nature can be: it seems like the heirloom tomatoes get bigger and juicier with each passing week.  I've spotted the first shallots of the season as well as the first broccoli.

    Small tart apples tumble by the bushel in rusted autumnal shades with old New England monikers like Russet Crab and Paula Red. Great for baking with!"

    In Season, Right Now!

    Apples, pears, and stone fruit. Enjoy them for snacks, desserts, and in cocktails.

    Get Some Before It's Gone!

    Blueberries – Barbara Hamilton from Hamilton Orchards says the heat this week has ripened some of the late varieties and she may have a few for the next markets.

    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.

  • At The Market: Mushrooms, Shallots, Sage & Granola…

    No, that's not a recipe, but it is a list of some of the many things that caught our attention at the markets this week.

    CHE_9571 - Version 22013-08-27-granola-cooks-farm-orchards-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Lets's start with the granola. Over on the Chowhound Boston board someone announced to area food lovers what we have known for a long time. Cook's Farm & Bakery makes great granola.

    "Chuck S" asked, "Granola as good as Cook's Farm?" This former granola abstainer was now addicted and wanted more sources of granola greatness.

    Penny replied, "Another Cook's Farm fan here. Love the granola which I believe is sweetened with their own maple syrup. That may be part of the reason you enjoy it. Earlier this year, they had some granola bars that were wonderful and my husband is addicted to their oatmeal raisin cookies. Seems they have a way with oats!"

    So, stop by this stand at Copley or any of the other markets where you can find them summer and winter. And, if you're in foliage country in the months ahead, visit them in Brimfield, MA or Newbury, VT.

    CHE_9457 - Version 22013-08-27-sienna-farm- mushrooms-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    CHE_9460 - Version 22013-08-27-sienna-farm- mushrooms-© 2011 Penny Cherubino  CHE_9469 - Version 22013-08-27-sienna-farm-mushrooms-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Click on any photo for a larger version.

    The rest of the title – mushrooms, shallots, and sage sauted with a bit of butter would make a great supper. You could deglaze the pan with some red wine and stock and serve it on toast or along side a prefectly grilled ribeye.

    CHE_9481 - Version 22013-08-27-sienna-farm-shallots-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    CHE_9471 - Version 22013-08-27-sienna-farm-sage-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    All three of these ingredients are from Siena Farms.

    The Word from the Farms & Markets

    Ben Sommer, manager of the Copley Square Farmers' Market, says, "Can you believe that farmers market season is half over. Now let's get to the good half! Having a job like this I am continuously amazed by how incredible nature can be: it seems like the heirloom tomatoes get bigger and juicier with each passing week.  I've spotted the first shallots of the season as well as the first broccoli.

    Small tart apples tumble by the bushel in rusted autumnal shades with old New England monikers like Russet Crab and Paula Red. Great for baking with!"

    In Season, Right Now!

    Apples, pears, and stone fruit. Enjoy them for snacks, desserts, and in cocktails.

    Get Some Before It's Gone!

    Blueberries – Barbara Hamilton from Hamilton Orchards says the heat this week has ripened some of the late varieties and she may have a few for the next markets.

    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.

  • At The Market: Mushrooms, Shallots, Sage & Granola…

    No, that's not a recipe, but it is a list of some of the many things that caught our attention at the markets this week.

    CHE_9571 - Version 22013-08-27-granola-cooks-farm-orchards-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Lets's start with the granola. Over on the Chowhound Boston board someone announced to area food lovers what we have known for a long time. Cook's Farm & Bakery makes great granola.

    "Chuck S" asked, "Granola as good as Cook's Farm?" This former granola abstainer was now addicted and wanted more sources of granola greatness.

    Penny replied, "Another Cook's Farm fan here. Love the granola which I believe is sweetened with their own maple syrup. That may be part of the reason you enjoy it. Earlier this year, they had some granola bars that were wonderful and my husband is addicted to their oatmeal raisin cookies. Seems they have a way with oats!"

    So, stop by this stand at Copley or any of the other markets where you can find them summer and winter. And, if you're in foliage country in the months ahead, visit them in Brimfield, MA or Newbury, VT.

    CHE_9457 - Version 22013-08-27-sienna-farm- mushrooms-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    CHE_9460 - Version 22013-08-27-sienna-farm- mushrooms-© 2011 Penny Cherubino  CHE_9469 - Version 22013-08-27-sienna-farm-mushrooms-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Click on any photo for a larger version.

    The rest of the title – mushrooms, shallots, and sage sauted with a bit of butter would make a great supper. You could deglaze the pan with some red wine and stock and serve it on toast or along side a prefectly grilled ribeye.

    CHE_9481 - Version 22013-08-27-sienna-farm-shallots-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    CHE_9471 - Version 22013-08-27-sienna-farm-sage-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    All three of these ingredients are from Siena Farms.

    The Word from the Farms & Markets

    Ben Sommer, manager of the Copley Square Farmers' Market, says, "Can you believe that farmers market season is half over. Now let's get to the good half! Having a job like this I am continuously amazed by how incredible nature can be: it seems like the heirloom tomatoes get bigger and juicier with each passing week.  I've spotted the first shallots of the season as well as the first broccoli.

    Small tart apples tumble by the bushel in rusted autumnal shades with old New England monikers like Russet Crab and Paula Red. Great for baking with!"

    In Season, Right Now!

    Apples, pears, and stone fruit. Enjoy them for snacks, desserts, and in cocktails.

    Get Some Before It's Gone!

    Blueberries – Barbara Hamilton from Hamilton Orchards says the heat this week has ripened some of the late varieties and she may have a few for the next markets.

    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.

  • At The Market: Berries & Corn!

    It's starting to look a lot like summer around Boston's Farmers' Markets with some of our favorite summer crops coming into the city from the farms, orchards, pastures, and ocean. The heavy rain followed by heat has taken its toll on our farmers but they're doing their best to keep planting and harvesting.

    DSC_5980 - Version 22013-07-02-copley-farmers-market-foppema's-farm-keown-orchards-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    This customer is checking out the cherries and raspberries at the Foppema's Farm stand at the Copley Square Farmers' Market.

     DSC_6001 - Version 22013-07-02-copley-farmers-market-corn-stillman-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

     Stillman's Farm has some of their early corn at their stands at markets throughout the area. 

    The Word from the Farms & the Commissioner

    “The purchasing of locally-grown fruit like blueberries through a wide range of local food markets not only helps support our local growers, but also contributes to the rich agricultural heritage of the Commonwealth,” said DAR Commissioner Greg Watson. “And blueberry season marks the arrival of summer in Massachusetts.”

    Lily Carone from Atlas Farm reports that the blueberries are in and, "There is a full array of color on the stand now – including rainbow carrots and chioggia beets!" 

    Peter Ward, Manager of the Central Square Farmers' Market, did some taste-testing for you. "The sugar snap pea is vastly overlooked. And its reputation isn't enhanced – on the contrary, it's damaged -by the over-chilled tasteless snap peas you might see at the supermarket. I tried sugar snap peas from every vendor at the Farmers Market …and their snap peas are crisp, crunchy and moist and sweet."

    Copley Market

    In Season, Right Now!

    You can see in the photos some of the wonderful produce we've been enjoying. 

    Get Some Before It's Gone!

    Garlic scrapes, radishes, and strawberries are all coming to the end of their spring crops.

    6a00e54fc42bb888340134858b8fc4970c-800wi

    Coming Soon!

    Lisa from Atlas Farms says, "Peppers, eggplant, heirloom tomatoes…it's all just around the corner."

    Plus, more varieties of corn, peppers, and the early stone fruit

    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.

  • At The Market: Berries & Corn!

    It's starting to look a lot like summer around Boston's Farmers' Markets with some of our favorite summer crops coming into the city from the farms, orchards, pastures, and ocean. The heavy rain followed by heat has taken its toll on our farmers but they're doing their best to keep planting and harvesting.

    DSC_5980 - Version 22013-07-02-copley-farmers-market-foppema's-farm-keown-orchards-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    This customer is checking out the cherries and raspberries at the Foppema's Farm stand at the Copley Square Farmers' Market.

     DSC_6001 - Version 22013-07-02-copley-farmers-market-corn-stillman-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

     Stillman's Farm has some of their early corn at their stands at markets throughout the area. 

    The Word from the Farms & the Commissioner

    “The purchasing of locally-grown fruit like blueberries through a wide range of local food markets not only helps support our local growers, but also contributes to the rich agricultural heritage of the Commonwealth,” said DAR Commissioner Greg Watson. “And blueberry season marks the arrival of summer in Massachusetts.”

    Lily Carone from Atlas Farm reports that the blueberries are in and, "There is a full array of color on the stand now – including rainbow carrots and chioggia beets!" 

    Peter Ward, Manager of the Central Square Farmers' Market, did some taste-testing for you. "The sugar snap pea is vastly overlooked. And its reputation isn't enhanced – on the contrary, it's damaged -by the over-chilled tasteless snap peas you might see at the supermarket. I tried sugar snap peas from every vendor at the Farmers Market …and their snap peas are crisp, crunchy and moist and sweet."

    Copley Market

    In Season, Right Now!

    You can see in the photos some of the wonderful produce we've been enjoying. 

    Get Some Before It's Gone!

    Garlic scrapes, radishes, and strawberries are all coming to the end of their spring crops.

    6a00e54fc42bb888340134858b8fc4970c-800wi

    Coming Soon!

    Lisa from Atlas Farms says, "Peppers, eggplant, heirloom tomatoes…it's all just around the corner."

    Plus, more varieties of corn, peppers, and the early stone fruit

    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.

  • At The Market: Berries & Corn!

    It's starting to look a lot like summer around Boston's Farmers' Markets with some of our favorite summer crops coming into the city from the farms, orchards, pastures, and ocean. The heavy rain followed by heat has taken its toll on our farmers but they're doing their best to keep planting and harvesting.

    DSC_5980 - Version 22013-07-02-copley-farmers-market-foppema's-farm-keown-orchards-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    This customer is checking out the cherries and raspberries at the Foppema's Farm stand at the Copley Square Farmers' Market.

     DSC_6001 - Version 22013-07-02-copley-farmers-market-corn-stillman-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

     Stillman's Farm has some of their early corn at their stands at markets throughout the area. 

    The Word from the Farms & the Commissioner

    “The purchasing of locally-grown fruit like blueberries through a wide range of local food markets not only helps support our local growers, but also contributes to the rich agricultural heritage of the Commonwealth,” said DAR Commissioner Greg Watson. “And blueberry season marks the arrival of summer in Massachusetts.”

    Lily Carone from Atlas Farm reports that the blueberries are in and, "There is a full array of color on the stand now – including rainbow carrots and chioggia beets!" 

    Peter Ward, Manager of the Central Square Farmers' Market, did some taste-testing for you. "The sugar snap pea is vastly overlooked. And its reputation isn't enhanced – on the contrary, it's damaged -by the over-chilled tasteless snap peas you might see at the supermarket. I tried sugar snap peas from every vendor at the Farmers Market …and their snap peas are crisp, crunchy and moist and sweet."

    Copley Market

    In Season, Right Now!

    You can see in the photos some of the wonderful produce we've been enjoying. 

    Get Some Before It's Gone!

    Garlic scrapes, radishes, and strawberries are all coming to the end of their spring crops.

    6a00e54fc42bb888340134858b8fc4970c-800wi

    Coming Soon!

    Lisa from Atlas Farms says, "Peppers, eggplant, heirloom tomatoes…it's all just around the corner."

    Plus, more varieties of corn, peppers, and the early stone fruit

    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.

  • At the Market: July 4th Food Shopping

    Shopping for fresh, local food for your holiday picnic, party, or a quiet dinner at home for July 4th can start at your local farmers' market. By now, most summer markets in the area are open or about to open. Here is our list of opening dates and schedules for the major markets around the center of Boston.

    Beyond Burgers

    We've been reporting on seafood options at the markets this season. You'll find stands from Red's Best, C & C Lobsters, Global Seafood, and Cape Cod Fish Share at markets around the area.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401901cadff44970b-800wi

    For a small feast, you might consider making Farmers' Market Lobster Rolls. Our recipe is at that link.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834017c3663d330970b-800wi

    And, if you make it ahead, you might include a bit of the South in your Boston celebration with some pulled pork or chili with full-flavored pork from Stillman's. Or, if you're making burgers, grill some great lamb burgers with their ground lamb as a flavor option.

    The Word from the Farms and Markets

    Lily Carone from Atlas Farm says, "The strawberry picking will be done after the weekend – possibly not making another appearance at Copley on Tuesday. But blueberries from River Valley Farm are very close behind! (Maybe in time for the 4th!)" and "Tender, sweet broccoli is on the stand now – along with the different varieties of beets & carrots! It's been a long wait, and the carrots are sweeter than I remembered!"

    Ben Sommer, Copley Square Farmers' Market Manager said, " This past week at the market I spied the first glimpse of summer squash, hiding out amongst the luscious greens, adding a splash of yellow to the farmer's display. That burst of yellow is a sign of summer and a hopeful symbol for the sun, which has been sorely missed these past few weeks."

    Ben added, "Another sign of summer is over at Hamilton's Orchard's tent, where you can grab an ice cool lemonade and lay on the grass with other sunbathers in the heart of the city. The farmers have a practice of adding some fresh strawberries to these lemonades and shaking them up to get that added sweetness and flavor."

    2011052011-05-27-153847-(market-scene-boston-copley-prudential)-(spring-brook-farm-eggs)

    In Season, Right Now!

    Eggs, meat, and fish are always in-season and available at more markets.

    We also saw: tatsoi, cut herbs (cilantro, parsley, basil, and dill), hakurei turnips, fennel, broccoli, mushrooms, garlic scrapes, salad mix, lettuce, arugula, radishes, beets, scallions, kolrabi, bok choi, chard, small onions with green tops, snap peas, sweet peas, herbs, hot house tomatoes, and honey. 

    2011052011-05-28-153847-(market-scene-boston-copley-prudential)-(spring-brook-farm-asparagus)

    Get Some Before It's Gone!

    Marshall's farm tweeted, "The last of our own Asparagus so make sure you get your fill."

    Strawberries! Enjoy them now this could be the final week for some farms. 

    And, the rhubarb to match with the strawberries will soon disappear.

    Coming Soon!

    Blueberries and early raspberries – Peter Ward, Market Manager at Central Square, Cambridge said, he expected to see some raspberries (variety Prelude) this week.

    And, as we reported last week, Barbara Hamilton from Hamilton Orchards hoped to have ripe berries around the Fourth of July. 

    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.

  • At the Market: July 4th Food Shopping

    Shopping for fresh, local food for your holiday picnic, party, or a quiet dinner at home for July 4th can start at your local farmers' market. By now, most summer markets in the area are open or about to open. Here is our list of opening dates and schedules for the major markets around the center of Boston.

    Beyond Burgers

    We've been reporting on seafood options at the markets this season. You'll find stands from Red's Best, C & C Lobsters, Global Seafood, and Cape Cod Fish Share at markets around the area.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401901cadff44970b-800wi

    For a small feast, you might consider making Farmers' Market Lobster Rolls. Our recipe is at that link.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834017c3663d330970b-800wi

    And, if you make it ahead, you might include a bit of the South in your Boston celebration with some pulled pork or chili with full-flavored pork from Stillman's. Or, if you're making burgers, grill some great lamb burgers with their ground lamb as a flavor option.

    The Word from the Farms and Markets

    Lily Carone from Atlas Farm says, "The strawberry picking will be done after the weekend – possibly not making another appearance at Copley on Tuesday. But blueberries from River Valley Farm are very close behind! (Maybe in time for the 4th!)" and "Tender, sweet broccoli is on the stand now – along with the different varieties of beets & carrots! It's been a long wait, and the carrots are sweeter than I remembered!"

    Ben Sommer, Copley Square Farmers' Market Manager said, " This past week at the market I spied the first glimpse of summer squash, hiding out amongst the luscious greens, adding a splash of yellow to the farmer's display. That burst of yellow is a sign of summer and a hopeful symbol for the sun, which has been sorely missed these past few weeks."

    Ben added, "Another sign of summer is over at Hamilton's Orchard's tent, where you can grab an ice cool lemonade and lay on the grass with other sunbathers in the heart of the city. The farmers have a practice of adding some fresh strawberries to these lemonades and shaking them up to get that added sweetness and flavor."

    2011052011-05-27-153847-(market-scene-boston-copley-prudential)-(spring-brook-farm-eggs)

    In Season, Right Now!

    Eggs, meat, and fish are always in-season and available at more markets.

    We also saw: tatsoi, cut herbs (cilantro, parsley, basil, and dill), hakurei turnips, fennel, broccoli, mushrooms, garlic scrapes, salad mix, lettuce, arugula, radishes, beets, scallions, kolrabi, bok choi, chard, small onions with green tops, snap peas, sweet peas, herbs, hot house tomatoes, and honey. 

    2011052011-05-28-153847-(market-scene-boston-copley-prudential)-(spring-brook-farm-asparagus)

    Get Some Before It's Gone!

    Marshall's farm tweeted, "The last of our own Asparagus so make sure you get your fill."

    Strawberries! Enjoy them now this could be the final week for some farms. 

    And, the rhubarb to match with the strawberries will soon disappear.

    Coming Soon!

    Blueberries and early raspberries – Peter Ward, Market Manager at Central Square, Cambridge said, he expected to see some raspberries (variety Prelude) this week.

    And, as we reported last week, Barbara Hamilton from Hamilton Orchards hoped to have ripe berries around the Fourth of July. 

    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.

  • At the Market: July 4th Food Shopping

    Shopping for fresh, local food for your holiday picnic, party, or a quiet dinner at home for July 4th can start at your local farmers' market. By now, most summer markets in the area are open or about to open. Here is our list of opening dates and schedules for the major markets around the center of Boston.

    Beyond Burgers

    We've been reporting on seafood options at the markets this season. You'll find stands from Red's Best, C & C Lobsters, Global Seafood, and Cape Cod Fish Share at markets around the area.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401901cadff44970b-800wi

    For a small feast, you might consider making Farmers' Market Lobster Rolls. Our recipe is at that link.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834017c3663d330970b-800wi

    And, if you make it ahead, you might include a bit of the South in your Boston celebration with some pulled pork or chili with full-flavored pork from Stillman's. Or, if you're making burgers, grill some great lamb burgers with their ground lamb as a flavor option.

    The Word from the Farms and Markets

    Lily Carone from Atlas Farm says, "The strawberry picking will be done after the weekend – possibly not making another appearance at Copley on Tuesday. But blueberries from River Valley Farm are very close behind! (Maybe in time for the 4th!)" and "Tender, sweet broccoli is on the stand now – along with the different varieties of beets & carrots! It's been a long wait, and the carrots are sweeter than I remembered!"

    Ben Sommer, Copley Square Farmers' Market Manager said, " This past week at the market I spied the first glimpse of summer squash, hiding out amongst the luscious greens, adding a splash of yellow to the farmer's display. That burst of yellow is a sign of summer and a hopeful symbol for the sun, which has been sorely missed these past few weeks."

    Ben added, "Another sign of summer is over at Hamilton's Orchard's tent, where you can grab an ice cool lemonade and lay on the grass with other sunbathers in the heart of the city. The farmers have a practice of adding some fresh strawberries to these lemonades and shaking them up to get that added sweetness and flavor."

    2011052011-05-27-153847-(market-scene-boston-copley-prudential)-(spring-brook-farm-eggs)

    In Season, Right Now!

    Eggs, meat, and fish are always in-season and available at more markets.

    We also saw: tatsoi, cut herbs (cilantro, parsley, basil, and dill), hakurei turnips, fennel, broccoli, mushrooms, garlic scrapes, salad mix, lettuce, arugula, radishes, beets, scallions, kolrabi, bok choi, chard, small onions with green tops, snap peas, sweet peas, herbs, hot house tomatoes, and honey. 

    2011052011-05-28-153847-(market-scene-boston-copley-prudential)-(spring-brook-farm-asparagus)

    Get Some Before It's Gone!

    Marshall's farm tweeted, "The last of our own Asparagus so make sure you get your fill."

    Strawberries! Enjoy them now this could be the final week for some farms. 

    And, the rhubarb to match with the strawberries will soon disappear.

    Coming Soon!

    Blueberries and early raspberries – Peter Ward, Market Manager at Central Square, Cambridge said, he expected to see some raspberries (variety Prelude) this week.

    And, as we reported last week, Barbara Hamilton from Hamilton Orchards hoped to have ripe berries around the Fourth of July. 

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

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