Mt Prospect Farmer's Market

Having no tomatoes of my own this year (see Remodeling Journal - having a pile of dirt on your garden through June doesn't help veggie growth), I stopped at the local farmer's market.

It's hardly a farmer's market, though: with two bakers, a meat purveyor, a shrimp seller (whose wares stunk to high heaven), a cheese shop, a knife sharpener, an order of nuns collecting donations for their baked goods, two doggie treat manufacturers, and an incense/essential oil stand... there's barely room for the farmers. And when things like broccoli show up in August, there may be something fishy going on -- isn't that a late-fall crop?

Corn, tomatoes and blueberries were in abundance. I've got corn in my fridge right now, so I didn't grab any of that, but I did get some bloobies, and some rough-skinned golden delicious apples (labeled "Prestine").

The tomatoes mostly were sold by the carton, which is too many for my household, where I'm the only one that'll eat 'em raw. So I found one seller that had heirloom varieties by the pound ($3), and picked up three rich-smelling specimens: two of the mottled-purple variety, and one bright orange. I ate one of the purply ones tonight (most of it going into some empanadas, actually), and it was one of the most flavorful tomatoes I've ever had: deep, blood red inside, sweet, intense, low acid. I could have this as my last meal (with a little salt) and go to the electric chair with a smile. Cooked into the empanadas, the tomato smell was rich in the air, something I've never had happen cooking fresh tomatoes before.

I gotta get more next week.

I got some of those heirlook tomatoes yesterday! They were delicious. Also a lot of pattypan squash. The people who sell it don't do a very good job of displaying it so people know they have it. That's OK; more for me. Some white peaches I got look like they will be good when they soften up a bit more.

I do get somewhat irritated by the flea market aspect of that place. The people pushing "free massages" are less aggressive about stepping out in front of you. The Arlington Heights market on Saturdays is food only (and flowers) and some weeks we hit both.

Brussels sprouts are a late fall crop, which may be what JoelF was thinking of. Around Chicago broccoli can be pushed to start producing in May and can continue until moderate frost using multiple plantings. Flavor is better when grown under cool conditions. Summer broccoli can have a strong flavor.

I've found most of the suburban "farmer's markets" are really lacking. (Not to mention there are very few actual "farmers" there.) The one in Arlington Heights is okay, but it's a far cry from the farmer's markets I remember walking to in Evanston in the late 80s.

Occasionally I'll find good stuff at the downtown markets-- the ones held at the post office and at Daley Center.

Went back again today, at about the same time. The heirloom tomatoes didn't look nearly as nice: either they'd been picked over, or the harvest is waning. I grabbed a couple smaller samples of the pink/purple ones.

Also a few mammoth ears of corn, some bread and croissants from a non-farmer, some shallots, and some very nice-looking spinach.

Today it seemed there were even more non-food vendors: jewelery, a used book sale to benefit Katrina efforts. Didn't see or smell the shrimp truck... I may have to bring my knives to be sharpened one week soon, though.

Since suburban farmers' markets seem to be taking it on the chin here, I suppose I should defend my local farmers' market, here in Evanston.

My first stop is always Henry's Farm - I don't think he does any other markets, but he's always there in Evanston, with a great variety of organic veggies (and some fruits), including many unusual Asian varieties. A couple of weeks ago I even got fresh huitlacoche (only two ears - I should have gotten more). I used the huitlacoche to stuff some Nigerian eggplants I got from Nichols, right across the way from Henry's.

There are approx. 30 - 40 vendors, almost all food (a couple of flower vendors, and usually one or two civic organizations). Also a few musicians, usually.

I've also heard the farmers' market in Oak Park is good, but with Evanston so close I've never felt the need to try that one.

Maybe I should take my camera and post next week.

As I mentioned in my posting above, I loved the Evanston Farmer's Market when I lived nearby.

I may head over there next weekend for old-times' (and good food!) sake.