All Over Albany

Seth and his sauerkraut

Sausage recommended, but not required.

So about a year ago, some friends turned me on to Hawthorne Valley's lacto-fermented sauerkraut and now, no other kraut can compare.

It's crispy, it's tangy, it's almost, well, effervescent. It's eat-straight-from-the-jar-good. No sausage required. It will give your Oktoberfest that certain je ne sais quoi. ]

And it's the brain child of a guy called Sauerkraut Seth.

No, really. That's what they call him.

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It's pick-your-own blueberry time

Summer desserts start here.

We're right in the middle of the local blueberry season. Here are a handful of places you can pick your own blueberries (and maybe raspberries, too).

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The Menands Farmers' Market

The Capital District Farmers Market in Menands

Farmers' markets are definitely one of my favorite things about summer and we're pretty lucky here in the Capital Region to have so many to choose from.

And while I'm trying not to discriminate or be a hater, everybody has markets that they're more partial to. High on my list is The Capital District Farmers Market in Menands.

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Shopping the farmers' markets

Local farmers' markets are moving outdoors this weekend and there's lots of yummy, seasonal food to be had.

This week's bounty includes ramps, asparagus, arugula, spinach and all sorts of seedlings.

Here's a breakdown of what you'll find at the weekend markets in Troy, Schenectady and Saratoga. Don't forget, the Troy market moves to its new location in Riverfront Park this week.

Next week we'll have more from these and other area markets.

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Locally grown sweaters

Sheep are good at keeping warm.

OK, not sweaters exactly, but the um, ingredients for them.

After seeing the recent post about farm shares, Ellen sent along a link to a yarn share based in the Hudson Valley.

Yep, it's like a CSA for knitters. Emailed Ellen: "It's the coolest thing. I know there are lots of knitters, crocheters and spinners in the Capital Region who would love to buy yarn this way and support a working farm."

The farm share started with a farm on Martha's Vineyard and later expanded to the Hudson Valley. And get this: one of the people who runs the share is former Columbia County state Assemblyman Pat Manning.

Bonus yarn info: Ellen says you can also buy locally raised yarn at Saratoga Needle Arts.

(Thanks, Ellen!)

photo: Martha's Vineyard Fiber Farm and Hudson Valley Fiber Farm