Shopping the farmers' markets
One of the best things about weekends in the capital region is shopping the farmers' markets. All the local weekend markets have moved outdoors and they're stocked with lots of yummy, seasonal goodness.
This week's bounty includes rhubarb, greens, scallions, radishes, all kinds of seedlings and fiddleheads.
Here's a breakdown of what you'll find this weekend at the farmers' markets in Troy, Schenectady and Saratoga.
Troy Farmers' Market
Riverfront Park (map)
Saturdays 9AM - 1PM
New this week:
Peacetree Gardens/Monkshood Nursery/ Creekside Farm- crazy amounts of seedlings from greens to flowers to herbs. Seedlings include: 7 varieties of Basil including pesto basil and annis (tastes like thai basil), a huge selection of salad greens including mache, watercress and mizzuna, 11 varieties of lettuce and more than 20 varieties of tomato seedlings.
Slack Hollow Farm/ Dennison Farm - Lettuce, Arugula, spinach, radishes
Also expect:
Mushrooms, Elk meat from Creek's Edge Elk Farm, Potatoes, Sheep's milk soap
Other fun stuff:
Music from Hill Hollow Band
Cooking Demo with Chef Larry of Tosca Grill
Walking tours of Troy with Rensselaer County Historical Society
Saratoga Farmers' Market
High Rock Park (map)
Saturday 9AM - 1PM
New this week:
Rhubarb, Flowers ( hanging baskets)
Also expect:
fresh greens, radishes, swiss chard, scallions, wheat grass, herbs, lots of root vegetables.
milk, yogurt, goat and cow cheeses, ice cream, meat, peanut butter.
Other fun stuff:
This Saturday kids can plant a flower in a small cup (or bring their own small pot) to take home to mom. A donation of $1 to support the Shelters of Saratoga is suggested.
Music from Running the River.
Schenectady Greenmarket
Outside Schenectady City Hall (map)
Sunday 10AM-2PM
New this week:
Buhrmaster's Farm --Flowers
Barber's Farm --beets with greens that are sweeter than chard
Cornell Farm/ Windy Willow Farm --rhubarb, early radishes
Native Farm Flowers--scallions
Cooper's Ark Farm--pullet eggs the first eggs from a hen less than one year old
Also expect:
greens (especially spinach), asparagus, apples are on their way but Migliorelli Farm, Maynard's Farm and Slyboro Ciderhouse will have apple cider, wild ramps will be gone soon, farm raises grass-fed beef, pastured pork and pastured chicken from Sweet Tree Farms. Grass-raised and grain finished beef from Mariaville Angus.
Other fun stuff:
Mother's Day at the market filled with gift ideas for mom.
Music from Whoa Nelly, Peggy Pearl, Tim Barker and Karen Gilpin
Jam circle for guitarists.
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Comments
This summer, there will also be a new farmers' market in Delmar on Saturdays from 9-1, at the Bethlehem Central Middle School (http://www.delmarmarket.org/), from June 6-October 31.
... said B. Shaw on May 8, 2009 at 10:38 AM | link
This is where some cooking talent would come in handy....
... said Emma on May 8, 2009 at 10:45 AM | link
Anyone see ramps?
There is also a new saturday market on central ave that starts soon.
... said MattW on May 8, 2009 at 12:00 PM | link
Shop at the Troy Farmer's Market on Saturday to pick up goodies for dinner, and then run over to The Paper Sparrow (http://thepapersparrow.com/ ) on River street and buy Mom something special for Mother's Day!
... said mare on May 8, 2009 at 12:02 PM | link
Several farmers at Schenectady Greenmarket had ramps last week. They were delicious! They did tell us not to expect them this week. : (
... said Jennifer Wilkerson on May 8, 2009 at 12:33 PM | link
@MattW -- the Painted Goat had wild ramps at the Schenectady farmer's market.
Our CSA should be starting next month... yum. Would love to see an interview with a local chef on how to use some of the local eats.
... said abby on May 8, 2009 at 12:35 PM | link
don't forget about the upper union street farmers market in niskayuna... saturdays from 9am-1. it's a bit smaller, but it's only local schenectady farms!
... said mike on May 8, 2009 at 1:31 PM | link
There is a farmers' market in Cohoes on Friday evenings...on Remsen St.
... said BobF on May 8, 2009 at 2:19 PM | link
Someone was selling ramps at the Troy Market last weekend, too!
... said kate on May 8, 2009 at 3:30 PM | link