FRESH FROM NEW YORK Union Square Farmers' Market

It's getting colder in New York, cold enough for Rockefeller Center to open the ice skating rink! I guess this is my signal to get ready for winter. Before long, I'll be posting photos of me skidding gliding through the arena.

In parts of town, you can see Christmas lights going up. It'll be very pretty, but I still wonder where has the time gone? Before you know it we'll be wrapping Christmas gifts.

 
I love spending my afternoons admiring the tall buildings of New York. Although, because the streets are so dense I have to be mindful of running smack into people. I wish others would be so mindful.

As can probably guess, my favorite place to visit is the farmers' market. And from time to time, I like to share my fresh finds. On my recent visit there was an abundance fresh apples at nearly every farm stand. I think I  counted 15 different varieties offered across the farmers market.
Compare those beauties to the organic non-sprayed apples. Although cosmetically challenged, I think these are the best tasting ones.
Also in season right now is squash, which comes in all types of funky shapes and sizes. I don't know what variety this is, but I'd love for you to chime in if you know.
This bulbous pumpkin looks like it wasn't sure whether to divide or stick together. I can empathize, I feel that way about my siblings too.
 
Of course there are always the festive guords, and these are the perfect size for our small Manhattan apartments.
Also festive are Indian corn. I found out from a fellow blogger, Kahakai Kitchen, that you can make popcorn out of these decorative pieces.


Red hot chili peppers - I was informed by the farmer that all of them are very hot. He offered a free taste sample, and while I was appreciative, I declined and thought to myself, "My momma didn't raise no dummy!" This was almost as nice as when another farmer dared me to take a bite out of the bittermelon. As I said, my momma didn't raise no dummy.
Once the fall harvest is over, there will be plenty of root vegetables to sustain us through the winter.
Sun chokes another root vegetable is also known as Jerusalem artichokes. I adore cooking with this root vegetable, but was surprised to find out that it's not related to the artichoke at all, rather it is the root of sunflowers. It does have a lovely hint of nutty sunflower flavor.
 
We won't be seeing too many leafy salad greens too much longer at the farmers market. This is my favorite version of a salad bowl, one that regenerates itself.
Rose hips, in addition to being a beautiful decorative piece, it is used in herbal teas, jams, pies and bread. Rose hips are packed with vitamin C, and is believed to be a remedy for rheumatoid arthritis.
I'll finish on a sweet note with bosc pears, which are my favorite variety of pears. Best fresh, but the occasional wine poached treat is oh so good!
 

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous pictures of produce at the farmers' market! The Indian corn is very neat! Wine poached pears sound good right now, my favorite treat too.

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

NYC!!! My favorite city :) Thank you for featuring more photographs.

amycaseycooks said...

I love visiting farmers' markets. I buy too much, eat too much and spend the rest of the day cooking. Perfect.

chow and chatter said...

oh wow love NYC coming in Dec to celebrate my 30th great time to bring Jasmine with the Christmas tree up and the lights lol

Lo said...

Oh, how I love the autumn market. There's great stuff in the summer months -- but the Jerusalem artichokes, squash, and apples just make my heart sing. It's tough to think about the fact that winter is approaching -- but I think there's plenty to look forward to, cooking-wise. LOVE that.

Pam said...

Excellent photos! I have no idea what that funky squash is - it looks pretty creepy...perfect for Halloween.

Mama Freemans' cafe' said...

Just stopped by to check out your blog. Our lives are worlds apart.I love the idea that i can blog with someone who lives in the heart of the city. I live in the country on a farm and am 1/2 mile at least from my nearest neighbor.Traffic by my house are farm equipment and locals. When I go visit my dad in Sioux City Iowa (90,000)I catch myself looking thru the window at all the traffic going by.I love living vicariously thru the other blogs. Thanks and did you know that you can grow lettuce spinach and cilantro under flourecent lights all winter. i do here in Nebraska if you lookk at some of my earlier blogs I have pictures.See you around the blog.

HoustonWok said...

I love New York! Please post more! New York big city of dreams I have fond memories from being there for the 2005 ball drop. The hot dog stands are classic and the farmers market is just awesome!

Mardi Michels said...

How fun! What a lovely post! You are most definitely a woman after my own heart - sounds like my idea of a perfect NYC day...

Romaine said...

I envy you and the access you have to so many beautiful and unusual fruits and vegetables. I would be in heaven---and have way too much food in my fridge. Beautiful pictures as usual.

lululu said...

that cool already at your side? though i saw a skating lady wearing a short sleeved tee!
getting cool here at pacific side, just still too warm to even remember xmas is just months away!

Heather S-G said...

Love everything about this post! All of the fruits & veg are so gorgeous...I'm such a goofball, but I just really enjoy seeing beautiful pictures of "raw" food...from Farmer's Markets and such. I don't know what kind of squash that is...looks kinda like the outside of a celery root- crazy! And that pumpkin...awesome! I had no idea that's what sunchokes were either...WOW! And I love your city pics...oh, I want to vacation in a new (to me) spot. :D

JMom said...

Ah, I love farmer's markets! Next time, try the bittermelon ;) they're very good for you.

Thanks for dropping by my blog!

Deb in Hawaii said...

Such gorgeous photos. It is funny that although I have a great farmer's market here in Hawaii I get jealous when I see gorgeous things at other markets that we don't get here--those apples, the rose hips, the different squash... ;-) Thanks for the shout out on the corn--hope you try pooping some!

Aloha,

Deb

Mari @ Once Upon a Plate said...

Me too, I cannot believe how this year has flown by!

Those are fabulous shots ~ love the buildings, and all of the fresh, tempting produce.

I hope you're having a wonderful day.

Fresh Local and Best said...

Thanks everyone for the kind comments!

Veggie Girl
& Houstonwok - I'll try to feature more NY photos.

Jmom - I have had bitter melon before in omelets and stuffed in soup. I agree they are very good for you. There was one incident where a guy behind a farm stand dared me to take a bite out of it raw for $5, and I had countered the dare and told him I would give him $10, he didn’t take it. It was a funny incident.

Chow & Chatter - would love to meet you in person.

lululu - I like to ice skate short sleeved even when it's cold, it's so freeing!

5-Star foodie
& EAT!
& LO
& Pam
& Romaine
& Mardi
& girlichef
& Deb - Isn't the farmers market the best for discovery and inspiration?!

Mama Freeman - one of these days this city girl will be writing from a farm!

Juliana said...

Nice nice pictures, all of them...love specially the farmers' market ones, love the colors in it :-)

Simply Life said...

Wow, so many fun things at the farmer's market! I love just wandering around them and seeing what new foods are in season!

Fresh Local and Best said...

Mari, Juliana, Simply, Thanks for the nice comments. I do love the farmers' market very much, and am glad to hear that you enjoy it too!

Best,

Christine

Unknown said...

Beautiful pics! Can you believe it's in the 40's here right now? It's like we went straight from summer to winter!

Fresh Local and Best said...

high low - I know! it dropped like 20 degrees in a week!

Natalie said...

What beautiful pictures! Makes me miss New York, been years since I have been.

Table Talk said...

Thanks for the mini trip to NYC this afternoon--lovely pics!

Fresh Local and Best said...

Natalie and Table Talk - Thanks for visiting!

Cristin said...

Gorgeous photos - AGAIN!! Can't wait for the market in June!

Cristin

Anonymous said...

I think that strange looking one is called a peanut pumpkin???

Fresh Local and Best said...

Cristin, I looking forward to your visit! By then I'll know the city better and be able to give you some good recommendations.

Anonymous - Thank you! Thank you so much! After your suggestion, I was able to find that indeed it is called a peanut pumpkin. It's an heirloom variety indigenous to France, called ‘Brodé Galeux D’Eysines’– meaning “embroidered with warts from Eysines,” according to a site called learn2grow. I'm so thrilled that you shared this piece of information!

Thanks again for visiting.

Nicole said...

I saw similar mystery pumpkins on the North Fork of LI yesterday and ask the farmer what they were called and was told they were "pimple pumpkins." Interesting name, no?

Chubby Chinese Girl said...

they had bitter melon at the farmer's market? i've never seen them, love if with some beef and black bean sauce, or soup... good for ya' too

Fresh Local and Best said...

NSH - Thanks for visiting! 'Pimple pumpkin' is a very descriptive name and indeed is interesting!

and this blog - I found bittermelon at the farmers' market in San Francisco. It was specific incident when someone dared me to eat it raw. LOL!