2004 Greenmarkets

[Suzanne F]

I bought some macoun apples -- this may sound silly, but they tasted like the apples I ate as a kid. They were the best apples I've eaten in years.

I purchased Gala apples this season as well, and they were also excellent, they tasted faintly of honey.

Is this an exceptional apples season, or have I just been eating crappy apples? (say that 5 times fast!)

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I have to agree. Well, that is, I don't know about the apples you've been eating , but the ones we've had this year so far have all be the best in ages. Ginger Gold, Macintosh, and Macoun -- all three the essence of appledom.

[bloviatrix]

I ran to Union Square on Wed to pick up some last minute items for the holiday. Came home with:

3 pints of cherry tomatoes -- red, orange and yellow

Assorted potatoes

basil

lemon basil

mint

apples -- 3 varieties, RI Greenings, Winesaps, and ???

3 baby pumpkins and 2 gourds which were used as centerpieces on my table

[bloviatrix]

I bought some macoun apples -- this may sound silly, but they tasted like the apples I ate as a kid. They were the best apples I've eaten in years.

I purchased Gala apples this season as well, and they were also excellent, they tasted faintly of honey.

Is this an exceptional apples season, or have I just been eating crappy apples? (say that 5 times fast!)

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I had a similar eureka moment last fall. It's amazing how much better new crop greenmarket apples taste than the crap you get at the maket. After years of avoiding apples I became an addict.

[bloviatrix]

I hit Union Square twice last week. On monday I picked up a kobacha squash and edamame. Then, on wednesday I really wanted to get a celeriac from Paffenroth, but I got there late and they were all gone (I do have the phone number of the guy if anyone wants -- he'll put things aside if you ask). So, I just got some yellow carrots, zucchini and two types of potatoes: russian bananas and rose finn, which I gave to a friend.

It's so sad looking around as the summer bounty is coming to an end. It makes winter seem more like a reality.

[Suzanne F]

I can't feel totally sad when I think that these farmers are still there for us.

This past Thursday I filled in the salad bin -- thought I wasn't getting much, but thanks to the Migliorellis I got red leaf, green oak leaf, lolla rossa, escarole (some of which will end up in brodo), and arugula (not for much longer, though ) and a few plum tomatoes -- bye-bye tomatoes, see you next year! Also a bunch of beets and one of tiny turnips; I can't wait to steam the roots and saute the greens. Yum.

And today a friend gave me a bunch of rainbow chard from yesterday at Union Square. I think tomorrow's dinner will be multi-veg.

[bloviatrix]

I went down to Union Square just for celeriac and pears. Good thing I brought I my big greenmarket bag because I came home with significantly more than that. Also picked up:

Austrian Crescent Fingerlings

Parsnips

Lemongrass

Spearmint

Assorted apples

Peppers

White sugar beets

Locust Grove was carrying an apple variety I've never seen before called Roxbury Russet. The skin looks like a bosc pear and it has a woodsy, tart flavor and a very pleasing crunch. I believe they're at Union Square on saturday if anyone wants to try it.

[Suzanne F]

Even as summer vegs peter out, there are still good things at the market:

- Macoun apples

- 1 "Arlet" apple, just to try (cross between Golden Delicious and Ida Red)

- More mixed lettuces: red leaf, green leaf, red romaine

- The most delicate little collards I ever saw -- these will get just a quick cook, they won't need much time, they're so tender

- Broccoli rabe

I'm getting all excited at the prospect of fall and winter vegs all over again!

FYI: the space that the Kernans occupied on Thursdays at WTC was filled with 2 stands of baked goods.

[alacarte]

Spearmint

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Blo, what did you do with the spearmint?

[bloviatrix]

Spearmint

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Blo, what did you do with the spearmint?

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In the summer I make gallons and gallons of mint ice tea. Now that it's gotten cooler Blovie adds it to his hot tea.

Incidentally, we still have some left from last week so I'll be using it a soba noodle dish which is part of tomorrow's lunch.

[bloviatrix]

Just came home from 97th street. As usual, I came home loaded down with produce.

Green beans

Apples -- many varieties including a new one that I can't remember the name of. It starts with a "s" and according to Chip Kent of Locust Grove it's the "viagra of apples." Plus he says it's such a hard apple that you should have a dentist on stand-bye.

Pears

Concord Grapes (I want to make one last batch of grape sorbet)

Jerusalem Artichokes

Carrots

Rosemary sourdough boule, pumpernickle-raisin rolls

I also picked up a sesame pugliese and a bunch of basil for a friend

[Suzanne F]

Followup: the Arlet apple was terrific -- very strong flavor, both sweet and tart, and great crunch. Since this is a Golden Delicious cross, I'm thinking it would make a dynamite Tarte Tatin.

[SethG]

I haven't been posting my recent purchases at the greenmarkets because I've been kinda bummed out that the summer favorites are gone.

But yesterday at Brooklyn GAP the autumn harvest seemed to be reaching a peak. I got beautiful, HUGE broccoli and cauliflower heads, pears, fennel, celery root, and tomatillos (I guess it's late for them but they looked good). I have squash from last week so I restrained myself from purchasing more, but the variety of gourds is quite impressive. Really nice-looking delicata and buttercup squash.

[bloviatrix]

FYI: the space that the Kernans occupied on Thursdays at WTC was filled with 2 stands of baked goods.

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BTW, I asked the people at Kernan if they would be back at WTC this coming week. She said they were done with that location for the season.

[Suzanne F]

Oh. Thanks for the info. But at least I know not to get my hopes up twice a week. I'll just wait for next summer, and PEACH SEASON!!!!!

I'm just thrilled that the Migliorellis are still bringing lettuces; HWOE in particular is a BIG salad eater, and of late theirs have been terrific -- red leaf, red romaine, green leaf, oak leaf, although they are no longer sending down arugula.

[bloviatrix]

I was at Union Square yesterday. Since I was already loaded down with bags, I kept my purchases to a minimum: potatoes, beets, and arugala.

[Suzanne F]

I was an hour later than expected getting back from my trip on Tuesday, but fortunately there was still good stuff in the open-air refrigerator that was the WTC Greenmarket:

Green leaf and baby red romaine lettuces

Broccoli rabe (this and the above at the Migliorellis')

Arlet apples from Samoscott

Schlepped all this the few blocks home in addition to my suitcase, purse, and tote bag full of brochures and literature. Oh, the things we do for a good meal.

[jogoode]

Just came home from 97th street.  As usual, I came home loaded down with produce.

Green beans ...

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Sorry if I missed this but where is the market at 97th? That would be a lot easier for me than Union Square.

[bloviatrix]

Just came home from 97th street.  As usual, I came home loaded down with produce.

Green beans ...

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Sorry if I missed this but where is the market at 97th? That would be a lot easier for me than Union Square.

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It's on 97th between Columbus and Amsterdam, north side of street, closer to columbus. It's held of Friday morning.

Despite the rain, I went to market this morning. And my trip to a long time because I was chatting with all the farmers. Came home feeling soggy and loaded down with stuff:

A massive cauliflower from Kernan Farms. It's bigger than some small dogs!!

Assorted apples from Locust Grove. Some are for eating, others for applesauce.

Carrots and green peanuts from Bialas Farms. I got the last bag of peanuts. They're done for the season. Apparently they were a major hit and they plan of growing them next year.

A raisin-walnut loaf and onion rolls. Allen also tossed in a loaf of 8-grain, just because.

By the way, the week of Thanksgiving, the market will be held of Wed, Nov 24th instead of the usual Friday.

[jogoode]

That's right near me. Thanks!

I've never seen cauliflower as big as the one you mentioned. And green peanuts? Sounds like they sell some pretty interesting stuff.

Just came home from 97th street.  As usual, I came home loaded down with produce.

Green beans ...

←

Sorry if I missed this but where is the market at 97th? That would be a lot easier for me than Union Square.

←

It's on 97th between Columbus and Amsterdam, north side of street, closer to columbus. It's held of Friday morning.

Despite the rain, I went to market this morning. And my trip to a long time because I was chatting with all the farmers. Came home feeling soggy and loaded down with stuff:

A massive cauliflower from Kernan Farms. It's bigger than some small dogs!!

Assorted apples from Locust Grove. Some are for eating, others for applesauce.

Carrots and green peanuts from Bialas Farms. I got the last bag of peanuts. They're done for the season. Apparently they were a major hit and they plan of growing them next year.

A raisin-walnut loaf and onion rolls. Allen also tossed in a loaf of 8-grain, just because.

By the way, the week of Thanksgiving, the market will be held of Wed, Nov 24th instead of the usual Friday.

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[bloviatrix]

JJ, the 97th street market isn't nearly as big as Union Square, but they've got a nice assortment of people there. I strongly suggest you check it out.