New Amsterdam Market & Apple Season in New York

This week's post is featured on Oyster Culture, where I share a bit about the New Amsterdam Farmer's Market. Below is an abridged post. When you have a chance, please visit LouAnn, and say hi.



These things often start in abandoned parking lots. Hard working people congregate early in the morning with packs of wooden crates, unhinging them with crow bars. Fold-out tables are set up to offer the real prize, fresh farm grown produce, and pretty soon it becomes an exchange. And what was formerly an empty parking lot over time becomes a lively center of commerce.

In New York City alone there at least 28 farmer's markets, scattered across our small dense urban island. Some range from minute gatherings of as little as four stalls to the biggest one, the Union Square Farmer's Market, which is held four times a week all year round. One particular market that has garnered impressive support and enthusiasm is the New Amsterdam Market. The market holds its weekly gathering under the FDR freeway on the parking lot of the original Fulton Fish Market in the South Sea Port and in one of the oldest neighborhoods of the nation.


If you've ever visited Borough Market in London, New Amsterdam holds a strong resemblance in style. Local vendors sell their bounty of artisan products out of crates and barrels in a bare surrounding, bringing together a good balance of prepared foods, fresh meats and produce, which is in contrast to the Union Square Farmer's Market where fresh produce is the primary focus.


And the prepared foods can be amazing! Some of the busiest local restaurants in New York sell their signature dishes out of narrow stalls, providing visitors with some of the best bites of Manhattan. From succulent lobster rolls by Luke's Lobster to slow-roasted tender porchetta sandwiches from Porchetta, and shredded braised beef sandwiches with crème fraîche on brioche from Jimmy's No.43, it's a sure bet that you'll find something that will suit your mood.


Local artisan products are the highlight of the market. Every week there are unique high-quality items made by passionate food creators such as kimchi by Mother's-In-Law Kimchi, naturally fermented pickled vegetables by Rick's Pick, a variety of chocolate bars from Mast Brother's Chocolates and fruit-packed popsicles made from locally grown produce from People's Pop.


There are also plenty of novel items such as chocolate covered bacon and beet chips from up and coming foodie entrepreneurs. And if you are still not enticed by the aforementioned, there are plenty of locally made cheeses from New York and New Jersey farms and fresh baked breads from Nordic Breads and Sullivan Street Barkery.

Lobster Mushrooms
In the produce section, in addition to featuring seasonal produce, one of the more exotic vendors of the bunch includes the Wild Food Gatherer's Guild that collects interesting and colorful wild mushrooms varieties, such as Hen of the Woods and Chicken of the Woods, Lobster mushrooms, and Yellow Foot Chanterelles. Although the guild does not make it every week, each offering at the market offers plenty of intrigue.


Now for Some History about Apples on the East Coast
As we head further into autumn the markets are priming for apple season, a time when many East coasters get excited about the prospects of apple-picking at local farms, a tradition which is a deeply embedded here. Although a visit to the farmer's market more than makes up with abundant variety for those who can't leave the city.

With all of those apples, everyone gets very busy churning out sauces and the oh-so-cherished apple pies. Apple pie is a well-integrated part of New England history and culture. In fact, during the turn of 19th and 20th century, apple pie became the symbol of American prosperity, leading to the birth of several expressions, "American as apple pie," and "Upper crust." If you're confused by how the latter expression "Upper crust" came about, in early America, lard and flour were expensive and often reserved to make only a bottom crust. The more affluent families could afford to add a top layer over the pie, so those families became known as "the upper crust."

Please see read more at Oyster Culture...

55 comments:

Claudia said...

I am missing NYC so much right now...just came back from St. Paul Farmer's Market which always delights but is so much more limited than NYC... see you at Oyster Culture..

Bo said...

Lovely pictures...there are no markets like that around here...all the food looks amazing...but I'd have to try one of those sandwiches.

Stella said...

Hey Christine, you just reminded me to do research on what local Farmer's Markets are here on Fort Lauderdale. Thanks;) Oh, and your photos are all so pretty here...

El said...

The market looks like so much fun. I love the top picture. At first glance, I thought it was the market about 100 years ago. Headed over to Oyster culture now. Great post!

Deana Sidney said...

Look what I've been missing! I never knew there was so much there. Thanks so much for the superb tour with those gorgeous pictures. I will break my date at union sq. next week and swing by!

Fun and Fearless in Beantown said...

There are so many great things to find at any farmers market! I'm heading to one at Harvard Square in Cambridge and can't wait to see what I find!

Chef E said...

The popsicle makes me want to make some and its cold!

Love the post and the old photograph...

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

Farmers' Markets are the one of my all time favorite things! I was just at my favorite today but it pales in comparison to this one. I think I saw that orange mushroom on the golf course a couple of weeks ago!

tinyskillet said...

Oh, I wish I was there. Looks amazing! I do miss all those good apples I we used to get as a kid growing up in Michigan. Harvest time is the best!

Nirmala said...

Christine, Iove the lobster mushrooms. Those look amazing. And the popsicle looks really yummy. I love farmer's markets. This year, I've been growing my own food and starting this season, I'm planting on a weekly basis, from seed, to have a continuous supply of food.

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Christine,

That is one fabulous market! I would have to head straight for the locally made cheeses first. Second stop to pick up that artisan great bread. It looks very European don't you think?

After I had filled my shopping bag to the brim, I would dive into Luke's lobster roll for lunch and leave a very, very happy girl.
Sam

Barbara said...

I've been to that market...and several others in NYC. Such a delight.

We are fortunate that most of us have farmer's markets in our areas. You just can't beat the varieties, choices and the prices.

(Those lobster mushrooms are so well named!)

Katrina (Betty Ray) said...

Wow, I'm right over the bridge and can you believe I have never been to a NYC farmer's market? Well, I have been to the one on Staten Island when I lived there, but nothing like what you have pictured here. I hope I still have a few weeks in the season to check this out! Thank you for opening my eyes to what is really out there.

Belinda @zomppa said...

I'd go in a heartbeat! Those mushrooms are in a word, awesome. And that bread!

Victoria said...

Wow, I didn't know about the New Amsterdam Market, but I'll have to check it out!! I love that they have prepared foods as well, kind of like a fancy street fair meets a farmer's market :) Love it!

tasteofbeirut said...

I like so much the atmosphere there and the food looks so delicious.

Gloria Baker said...

Wow, look wonderful Christine! gloria

Cooking Gallery said...

Wow, the mushrooms really look like lobsters!

A Canadian Foodie said...

You take such wonderful photos, Christine. This market is living art. We were planning another trip to NYC in March. Would there be any markets open and thriving there then. I think, no... but best to ask.
:)
Valerie

Katie@Cozydelicious said...

What beautiful photos! And what an amazing variety of colors and flavors and people. Nothing like a great market!

Asha @ FSK said...

What a wonderful market!! I didn't know about it before!! Perhaps we could visit sometime... :))

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

I have been following New Amsterdam market since they began and was thrilled to see that they have increased their frequency dramatically. Judging from your photos, it's time for me to make another visit!

Cathy said...

AWESOME!! I would love some of those lobster mushrooms. Great Market post. Hope to see it in person some day.

momgateway said...

What fabulous finds you have at the Farmers Market! Ours has a more limited spread but I enjoy going buying fresh produce and just enjoying the casual and relaxing atmosphere.

Sally - My Custard Pie said...

How I long to be able to visit such a wonderful market. Those swirly breads, those mushrooms, those apples.....

Momo said...

wonderful images from the market!and the lobster mushrooms are amazing!:)

Erica said...

What a wonderful place.....I love NY!

Natalie said...

I have visited Borough Market in London and it is wonderful, the best place in London for a DIY breakfast, lunch or dinner. A big bag of fresh fruit, some unusual cheese and a sample of local wine...Now I have read your post I am all the more excited to be visiting NY for the first time in a few weeks. I will mark the Union Square market down on my "must visit" list.

The Blonde Duck said...

That's nothing like the markets here!

Mari Nuñez said...

I enjoy your posts. Wonderful market!!

The lobster mushrooms look fantastic, I wish I could taste them.

Have a great week :D

Delicious Dishings said...

Oh my goodness... those braised beef sandwiches look so incredible! Love reading about the markets you go to and seeing your gorgeous pictures!

Sean said...

Look at that bread...and the pork sammies.

I'd spent my entire weekly budget on bread alone. Oh no! :(

~Lisa~ said...

I had no idea NY had that many farmers markets! And I can clearly see why New Amsterdam is your favorite.

Magic of Spice said...

Wow such great Farmers Markets...In Southern California there are a few in LA that are pretty good, but the ones close buy are rather limited (great produce though)...I will pop over for the rest :)

Unknown said...

I love the New Amsterdam Market and was so excited that it's now a weekly market!

Velva said...

Awesome. I love farmer's market where we have a real chance to get up close and personal with our food.
Tallahassee has a small but a growing farmer's market.

Unknown said...

Going to check it out. I love going to the different farmers markets when I travel, it gives you a nice feel for a place.
*kisses* HH

Debi (Table Talk) said...

Boy am I envious! We have certainly come a long way with our local farmers markets, but nothing even close to the variety you've shown here. What a treat!!

Gera@SweetsFoodsBlog said...

I can enjoy markets in everyplace and the food calls you :)
Excellent pictures!

Cheers,

Gera

Joanne said...

My go-to is the Union Square Farmer's market but I really should try to branch out a little. It sounds like each one has such a character of their own. I would love one of those porchetta sandwiches...

redmenace said...

Wonderful post and pictures, as always. I live for good farmers markets. Love them! And, the prepared food there? Simply amazing! xo

La Bella Cooks said...

You visit some of the most wonderful markets and you photograph them beautifully each time.

Haddock said...

Nice to see the farm fresh vegetables.
That ice cream reminds me of my school days.

Joie de vivre said...

How fun! What great photos.

Lori Lynn said...

Hi Christine! Your photos are amazing, as always. And those lobster mushrooms are calling me! Loudly!
LL

Unknown said...

what an amazing farmers market! I just saw lobster mushrooms for the first time ever last weekend at the hollywood farmers market. such weird looking things! LOL

Ingrid de Villiers said...

Dear Christine

Awhhh...I just love Farmer's markets! I think in today's world where you don't know what is in the food in the supermarkets it is best to buy "FRESH and LOCAL because it is the BEST!"
Ixx :)

marla@familyfreshcooking.com said...

This post is gorgeous! Your photography tells such a story. Gosh does this make me miss NYC. I have never been to the Amsterdam market, but seeing these pics makes me want to travel 3000 mile to get there. Just got ya stumbled too :)

nancy at good food matters said...

Fantastic market! Those swirled breads give me a case of the wants..

Mushrooms too. I recently ate lobster mushrooms for the first time, incredible flavor. How lucky that you can find them there.

Now, Off to Oyster Culture...

Lori said...

The market is just beautiful! I can't wait to read the rest of the post. Nice pictures of those Lobster mushrooms. I just had the opportunity to try them recently. Delicious!

Sanura said...

The photo of the lobster mushrooms is one of those curious discoveries that make farmer's markets fun. I'm looking forward to visiting The Amsterdam Market in the near future, too.

Sutapa said...

Hi Christine,
What a lovely market everything is so fresh and colorful! I think it can give a great color healing to everyone visiting! Great pics and foods look delicious!Chocolate covered bacon,beet chips and lobster mushroom is quiet interesting!

Cynthia said...

There is a huge market and town in Guyana called New Amsterdam Market!

OysterCulture said...

Your post was awesome, and I loved all the details on the apples, I feel so much better informed as I head to my markets. Speaking of farmers markets, the few I visited in Italy had me thinking of you.

Vittle me this... said...

love it! always good to see fellow foodies making their rounds at the markets!