Green Garlic—Mead Orchards (Tivoli, NY) offers green garlic at the Ossining Farmers’ Market (Corner of Main and Spring Sts. Opening Day: 5/28/11; every Saturday 8:30 am to 2 pm. Closing Day: 12/17/11). Green garlic has a delicate flavor that is milder than common white-bulb garlic. Prepare green garlic like you would scallions: trim off the root and tough tops, slice to top salads, or sauté for sauces or stir-frys.
Spicy Spring Mix Greens—Fishkill Farms (Hopewell Junction, NY) comes bearing boxes of spicy spring mix greens at the Rye Farmers’ Market (Parking Lot 2 on Theodore Fremd Ave behind the Purchase St stores. Opening Day: 5/29/11, every Sunday 8:30 am to 2 pm. Closing Day: 12/18/11). They are a flavorful choice for a tossed salad, braised for a side dish, or made into a piccante pesto.
Strawberries—Newgate Farms (East Granby, CT) brings bushels of strawberries to the Croton-on-Hudson Farmers’ Market (Municipal Lot on Municipal Pl and Riverside Ave. Opening Day: 6/1/11, every Wednesday 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Closing Day: 11/23/11). Strawberries are at their peak, so load up on them. Macerate strawberries with balsamic vinegar to serve with a cheese plate, or to top lemon custard. Use leftover strawberries to make jam, or freeze them for the later months.
Japanese Turnips—At the Pelham Farmers’ Market (Corner of Harmon Ave and Fifth Ave. Opening Day: 5/28/11, every Saturday 8:30 am to 2 pm. Closing Day: 11/19/11) you can find Japanese turnips delivered by Migliorelli Farms (Tivoli, NY). Also known as “kabu,” this type of turnip has a more pungent taste than other turnips. You can roast them in the oven, or shave them raw over salads. Their tops are tasty, too. Blanch, and then season with mirin and sesame oil.
Rhubarb—What says spring and summer better than a rhubarb pie? The Orchards of Concklin (Pomona, NY) offers these pink stalks at the Tarrytown Farmers’ Market (Patriot’s Park on Rte 9. Opening Day: 5/28/11, every Saturday 8:30 am to 1 pm. Closing Day: 11/19/11). Prepare only the stalk, never the leaves! Cut into small pieces to make jams, or a lip-smacking crumble.
Tasty Transplants—Start your own garden with transplants from Alex’s Tomato Farm (Carlisle, NY) at the New Rochelle Farmers’ Market (Library Green, Huguenot Street and Lawton Street. Opening Day: 6/17/11, every Friday 8 am to 3 pm. Closing Day: 11/18/11). Choose from tomatoes, eggplant, and sweet or hot peppers. Half the work is already done for you. Just plant, water regularly, and keep in a sunny spot.
