Greenmarket » Markets of New York

Four Beautiful Words: Crispy Purple Potato Chips

I’ve had a bad cold for the last three weeks, drifting in and out of mild misery. But I’m feeling better every day now, thanks for asking.

Saturday I was feeling particularly low energy as I was walking through Union Square. The Greenmarkets always make me feel better, and so I was strolling along amongst the tents, despite the brisk cold, on my way to the 6 train. And then something bright purple caught my eye. (It has happened before – purple food makes me happy.)

The bright purple this time turned out to be a sample bowl of beautiful and delicious potato chips from Mountain Sweet Berry Farm. The Andean Mix includes the true purple chips made from purple Peruvian potato, mixed with rich yellow chips made from ruby crescent potatoes. This farm has three other flavors of chips made from other potatoes. The Crunchy Indian chips are made from Ozette Indian potatoes. The other two varieties are Brown Butter and Pure Pleasure.

UPDATE: The chips are fried in rice bran oil, which has a mild taste and is good for high heat frying. According to Dr. Andrew Weil, MD., it has additional health benefits as well.

Potato chips are one of my very favorite foods in the whole world. But I’m a purist. No ranch, no BBQ, no salt and vinegar. I like simple potatoes and salt. Each chip from Mountain Sweet Berry Farm has a pure potato taste and yet a wonderfully distinct flavor. The purple ones were my favorite because a) they’re purple, b) they taste rich and wonderful, and c) my mom is from the Andes mountains, and so I feel a personal connection to them. That said, they are all mouthwateringly delicious.

Mountain Sweet Berry Farm comes to the Union Square Greenmarket Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Go try them for yourself and let me know which one you like best! And check out this wonderful video featuring Rick Bishop of Mountain Sweet Berry Farm on Serious Eats.

Weekend Market Picks – October 1-2, 2011 + Over the Moon Jewel

We are headed into a wonderful weekend full of fantastic market events! Several annual events are going on this weekend and some into next week. Hopefully we’ll get some crisp autumn air this weekend and less hair-frizzing humidity!

I am very happy to feature a wonderful jewelry designer, Barbara Wilkinson of Over the Moon Jewel! Barbara has a true eye for color and composition, and her background in art is evident in her designs. She creates pieces for a diverse array of styles and tastes, using brightly colored semi-precious stones and delicate pearls, happy hoop earrings and yoga-inspired charms, sterling silver and gold tones. She also makes sexy jewelry for men. Barbara will be at the week-long ID Pop Shop III, which runs Monday, October 3 – Sunday, October 10th inside Chelsea Market. Definitely go meet her in person and check out her beautiful designs!

Saturday and Sunday

URGENT – GrowNYC Hurricane Donation Collection: GrowNYC is working in all boroughs with City Harvest, Regional Food Bank, and Move for Hunger this weekend and next to collect basic food and products for communities affected by Hurricane Irene. 10% of the Greenmarket system’s farmers have lost all of their crops for the seasaon, and they and their communities need our help. Go to GrowNYC.org to see which markets have collection sites and the basic food and personal products needed.

Crafts on Columbus: This is the second weekend of Crafts on Columbus, which takes place next to the Natural History Museum. The this semi-annual craft market is a great way to get a jump start on your holiday market shopping because there is such a rich variety of handmade crafts here. The market skips next weekend and then runs for one more weekend on October 15th and 16th. (Columbus Avenue between 77th and 81st Street)

Madison Square Eats: This pop-up food market is filled with delicious local food purveyors and Flatiron neighborhood restaurants serving up pizza, tacos, crepes, chocolate, cupcakes, beers, and more! Madison Square Eats runs through October 21. Bring your friends! (West side of Madison Square Park between Fifth Avenue and Broadway, and 24th and 25th Streets)

Pompeii Flea and Craft Market on Bleecker Street: This market started right after 9/11 as a tribute by local artists and neighbors in the Village to the spirit of New York City. Now it is a staple of Bleecker Street on the weekends. Stop and browse through vintage bakelite jewelry, dichroic glass and crocheted metal jewelry, and much more! (Bleecker Street between Carmine and Leroy next to Our Lady of Pompeii Church).

Sunday:

Atlantic Antic - This New York Street Fair sets the gold standard for New York street fairs. Far from the affairs that block traffic and annoy the natives, the Atlantic Antic incorporates the local businesses in four Brooklyn Neighborhoods and provides literally blocks and blocks of food, music, and shopping from unique local crafters and designers, and lots of things for kids (pony rides!!!). Bring your appetite, your friends, and your walking shoes to this annual event.

Starting Monday through Sunday, October 10:

ID Pop Shop III: This is the third event for this new group of independent designers. This week-long market features some of New York’s most innovative and talented designers in fashion and lingerie, jewelry and accessories, body products, and more. It is located inside Chelsea Market, so go do your shopping at the ID Pop Shop and then grab a delicious bite to eat from the shops throughout the food market. (Chelsea Market on 9th Ave and 15th Street)

YOU ARE INVITED! Please come to Chelsea Market Baskets on Saturday afternoon from 3-7PM! I will be doing a book signing and enjoying the Food Network’s Food and Wine Festival in the neighborhood!

And to my friends in Washington, DC: Do not miss Crafty Bastards on Saturday! And let me know what treasures you find!

Weekend Market Picks – September 10 & 11, 2011

Fine painter Richard Stalter with a lovely evening fair scene, which now hangs in my living room!

I hope you had an awesome summer, dodging earthquakes, hurricanes and floods! If anyone can explain what’s going on with this crazy world, I’m all ears.

In all seriousness, I want to send my best wishes to everyone who has suffered damages with this crazy weather, especially our regional farmers. Some of them have been hit very hard. What we can do to help is a) shop at the Greenmarkets more than ever and b) contribute what you can to the GrowNYC Hurricane Irene Relief Fund.

And now for our weekend plans!

This Weekend’s Market Picks:

Saturday & Sunday:

Washington Square Outdoor Art Exhibit: This semi-annual art show is in its 81st year! Stroll through the outdoor fair and be amazed at the quality and talent of the diverse fine WSOAE artists and artisans along the bucolic Village sidewalks. The image above is painter Richard Stalter. The painting in his hands appears in Markets of New York City. It reminds me of the county fairs we used to go to back in the day. My husband secretly got it for me as a gift last year, and I love seeing it every day.

Nolita Market: Get to the Nolita Market this weekend (Friday too) because it is going to be on hiatus for the following two weekends (September 16th-18th and Sept 23rd-25th) to make way for the San Gennaro Festival. There are some true treasures in this market. P.S. If my friend Joseph Callari decides to sing some Sinatra at Puglia’s during the festival, I’ll let you know!

Saturday:

Any Greenmarket in the 5 Boroughs! There are almost 70 GrowNYC markets in town each week this season. And now is the time to support our local markets and enjoy the bounty of this region. The flooding has been very bad for many farms, probably worse than we even know. So if you can’t make it Saturday morning, visit the GrowNYC site and see where the markets are throughout the week and the five boroughs!

Sunday, September 11:

Dekalb Market: This market venue and shops are open all week long, but their Fashion’s Night Out festivities have been moved to Sunday! Open Bar, food tasting and art, with a fashion show featuring local designers 66 Blackbirds, Hank & JoJo, Rubyzaar, Little Poco, Honeysuckle + Hearts, Harriets by Hekima.

Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market & Food Truck Bazaar: They’re at it again, those fabulous Hell’s Kitchen Flea people! Not only do they run a fantastic flea market, with recently added handmade crafts from the {NewNew} Etsy Artisan Group, they also bring out a great herd of food trucks! Everything tastes better from a truck.

New Amsterdam Market: The market is back from two weeks of hiatus, partially planned and partially thanks to a certain hurricane. They’re kicking off the fall season as beautifully as ever with a wonderful lineup of purveyors.

To wrap up on some outstanding news, the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation announced a $250,000 grant award to the New Amsterdam Market to “increase outreach and marketing to expand the Market’s customer base and attract new vendors to public market located in East River Market District.” I knew this year would start turning around soon!

Weekend Market Picks for August 20-21, 2011 And Orange Foods at the Greenmarkets

As I walked through the market this week, I noticed the beautiful, bright variations of the color orange. Here are some of the fresh and delicious products I found at the Union Square Greenmarket during the week to remind us that summer is still with us. Enjoy all of the seasonal wonders of local foods at our farmers markets throughout the city. The photo gallery features these items and farms:

Orange Carrots from Phillips Farms
Orange Tomato Soup from Central Valley Farm
Bright Zinnias from The River Garden
Sun Gold Tomatoes from Race Farm
Translucent Red Pepper Jelly from Berkshire Berries

This weekend, I’m focusing on Food and Farmers Markets! All the best trends come out of the markets, so here’s a little tidbit to think about as you stroll through the markets this weekend, nibbling on a meatball or a cake pop:: Food in the form of a ball is the new Cupcake!

Saturday and Sunday, August 20 & 21

Chelsea Market: Chelsea Market is an indoor market filled with foodie pleasures. I often have breakfast meetings here, or I’ll pop in for a cookie or a taste of chocolate. That’s the great thing about this market: you can also have brunch, lunch and dinner here, or pick up fine fresh, local, and imported ingredients for a special meal.

Saturday, August 20

Hester Street Fair: I foresee about 19 courses in a meal at the Hester Street Fair – their food lineup is fantastic, as usual. Go to this market to eat. And eat some more. Not to mention the goods, with some of New York’s most creative designers and makers all under the London plane tree canopy on Hester Street.

Smorgasburg: A frequent Market Pick, Smorgasburg is another market where you’d better be hungry to eat right then and there. Seriously tasty stuff, freshly baked, grilled, sauced, and scooped. And the Williamsburg Waterfront Greenmarket has the season’s best produce and tasty food demos.

Sunday, August 21

New Amsterdam Market: It’s the Second Annual Ice Cream Fest! Try 10 amazing artisanal ice creams! Sad to say that advance tickets are sold out, but there will be plenty to taste! This event is a benefit for the market, so come and show your support!

Fulton Stall Market: Situated across the street from New Amsterdam, the Fulton Stall Market has a much different vibe. They’re there to serve the local neighborhood and tourists with delicious food you can grab on the run, fresh produce, and also handmade crafts from members of the {NewNew} Etsy Artisan Group.

Go forth and build up a big weekend appetite! And if it’s food in the shape of a ball, snap a picture and then eat it. Mark my words – it’s a trend.

Weekend Market Picks – July 23-24, 2011!

The image above is by Naima Rauam, a fine artist known for her images of the old Fulton Fish Market. She keeps this institution alive through her watercolors. You can meet the artist in person every Sunday at the Fulton Stall Market.

Here are this weekend’s Market Picks!

Saturday and Sunday, July 23 and 24

Dekalb Market: This weekend marks the Grand Opening of the new Dekalb Market in Downtown Brooklyn! This market combines artisans, food entrepreneurs, and agriculture, along with music and educational events. It is made from upcycled shipping containers, and I cannot wait to see how it turned out!

Better Than Jam Pop Up on Governor’s Island: Bushwick’s Better Than Jam Coop is running this year’s Etsy artisans coop on Governor’s Island! Take the free ferry to the island, where you’ll find many of the local market artisans’ work in this historical home-turned-handmade-boutique.

Saturday, July 23

Abingdon Square Greenmarket: This farmers market feels neighborly and intimate as it wraps around the lovely park in the West Village. In fact, it actually has 16 farmers and food vendors during the peak season now! Go and enjoy this sweet market for yourself while it’s bursting with the ripest fruits of the season!

Sunday, July 24

Fulton Stall Market: The Fulton Stall Market is just such a great place to hang out in the shade, grab a snack, and have a snack and a chat. The vibe is laid back, and there’s a great variety of things to choose from, including produce, meats, and other staples, as well as frozen pops, coffee, and handmade crafts. They’re right across the street from the New Amsterdam Market, and it’s easy and lovely to stroll through both!

Greenflea: The Greenflea is great on a weekend like this one because there is a lot of shade among the vendor tents, and there are also vendors selling inside the school. So don’t let the heat deter you from visiting one of the best vintage and flea markets in town.

I think we all agree that it’s hot in New York City. So let’s move along and talk about what we’re going to do this weekend, shall we? For starters, we’re putting a bottle of water in the freezer tonight so that it will be frozen for tomorrow. We’ll pull it out in the morning, slather on the sun block, bust out our floppy sun hats, and heading to the markets!

Weekend Market Picks for July 16-17, 2011

I am thrilled to feature the wonderful array of products from SchoolHouse Kitchen! I first tried their jams, chutneys, mustards and vinaigrettes at the New Amsterdam Market, and I cannot get over the flavors and the combinations they use. My current favorite is Cherry Blackberry Sage & Clove Spreadable Fruit, which is equally delicious on toast as it is as a marinade for chicken. They just brought out two new vinaigrettes that got rave reviews at the Fancy Food Show in DC last weekend: Poppyseed Vinaigrette Revival and the Coconut Citrus Vinaigrette. Yes, you read it right! They give a percentage of their proceeds to education charities, and all the products are made with high quality, natural ingredients. I have taken their motto to heart: Eat well, eat in moderation, and be adventurous.

And now for this weekend’s Market Picks for everyone who is staying in town this weekend of visiting New York City from far and wide:

Saturday & Sunday

Antiques Garage and the Annex: These two markets are located across 6th Avenue from each other, and it’s worth it to stroll through both locations. The Garage has two floors of diverse vintage and antique items, from books and prints to clothing and ship memborabilia, and everything in between. You know you love digging for treasures, and you should spend some time at the Annex – clothing, jewelry, records, and vintage everything. Manhattan

Essex Street Market: If you haven’t gone shopping at the Essex Street Market, go this weekend. And bring a tote bag! This market opened in 1940 when Mayor LaGuardia got all the street vendors off the street and into new market buildings. Today, you can find cheese, fish, meats, coffee, pastries, bread, handmade chocolates, and much more! Manhattan

Park Slope Flea Market: Have you been walking past this market for years, take the time to go inside and see all the wonderful things there. The Park Slope Flea is a classic flea market, with vintage clothing, homewares, furniture, and even artwork and sweet bonsai trees. Brooklyn

Saturday

Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket: The Grand Army Plaza Market is the largest one in Brooklyn, akin to the Union Square Greenmarket in size and variety of foods sold. But it’s a lot more laid back, with families, joggers from the park, and people strolling with their dogs, all browsing through the produce, bread, fish, and more. GrowNYC has textile recycling and compost collection every weekend too! It’s also a short walk from the Park Slope Flea! Brooklyn

Sunday

Greenflea: The Greenflea is back on the Picks List because it’s just so great. There are some amazing vendors there, including vintage, fleas, jewelry of all kinds, delicious market food, furniture, and this guy (Scott Jordan). Wander around the outdoor market, and then visit the vintage vendors inside the school cafeteria. Manhattan

It’s going to be a wonderful weekend, so head out to the markets and let us know what you bought and what you ate! And don’t forget to pick up something delicious from SchoolHouse Kitchen on Saturday at Smorgasburg and Sunday at the New Amsterdam Market!

Weekend Market Picks: July 9-10, 2011 + Cherries!!!

It is going to be a fantastic weekend to spend outdoors in New York City. If you are second homeless and therefore staying in town all summer, then come hang out with me at the markets. And if you are visiting New York City, definitely check out the fantastic food and buy all your souvenirs directly from New York’s finest artisans!

And stop by any Greenmarket to pick up plump, juicy cherries, like the ones in the photo from the Cheerful Cherry Farm!

Saturday & Sunday

Brooklyn Flea: I’m definitely feeling the need to visit the Brooklyn Flea, as it’s been a few weeks. Looking forward to seeing my usual favorites and checking out what’s new in food, artisans, and fleas! Saturday in the Ft. Green location and Sunday in Williamsburg.

Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market and Sunday Gourmet Food Truck Bazaar: The Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market is one of the largest and best traditional fleas in the city, and they have invited members of the {NewNew} Etsy Artisan Group to add to the variety. The first Sunday of every month, they also host the Food Truck Bazaar, featuring some of the city’s fabulous food on wheels!

Saturday

Hester Street Fair: Gotta send you to the Hester Street Fair this Saturday! In addition to the well-selected vintage, flea, and handmade sellers there, they sent out the list of featured food vendors. Appetizers, main course, main course, dessert, dessert, dessert. Take notes and let me know what you ate!

St. George Greenmarket: This is a good weekend to hop on the Staten Island Ferry and visit the St. George Greenmarket. It overlooks the harbor and the New York City skyline, and it features premier Greenmarket sellers of fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, seafood, and more. This borough features amazing vistas, architecture, and even wildlife – more than 117 species of birds!

Sunday

Astoria Market: Yes! The Astoria Market is back this weekend. Handmade and vintage goods at this artisan market in the Main Hall of the Bohemian Hall — you know, the one with the Beer Garden! Check out some of the very cool products you’ll find there this weekend on the Astoria Market Blog!

New Amsterdam Market: The New Amsterdam Market is back this Sunday after a July 4th hiatus. This weekend’s food market lineup includes breads, meats, mead, lobster rolls, artisanal sodas, sweets, imported tea, and many more edible luxuries.

Take pictures and let us know your favorite finds and tastiest treats! Someone is making me a cherry pie on Sunday! If you have a great recipe, please share!

Markets Picks This Weekend – May 21-22: So Many Markets, So Little Time!

WOW! This Saturday is chock full of market openings and events! I’m posting the Market Picks mid-week so you can prepare and plan your busy, hungry weekend. We’re hoping it turns out sunny and apocalypse-free.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Brooklyn Craft Central’s Shop the Archway: Markets of New York City is a proud sponsor of this wonderful artisan and food market! The location is worth seeing too. The photo above is a tote bag from Astor Knot, one of the clever artisan entrepreneurs you’ll meet under the Archway! (Brooklyn)

Agora Long Island City Market: The Agora Market in Long Island City is the second artisan and food market to open in Queens! This Saturday is their second event. I didn’t make it to the opening, but the photos look great! Where you there? (Queens)

Bedford Barrow Commerce (BBC) Block Association’s Ye Olde Village Fair: This neighborhood street fair is back for it’s 18th year! And for the first time, it is featuring only juried crafters and artists. (Manhattan)

Christopher Street Block & Merchant Association Affair: Lucky for us, this neighborhood fair coincides with the BBC event. Nothing better than strolling through the lovely streets of Greenwich Village this weekend! On Christopher St. between Seventh Ave. and Hudson St. (Manhattan)

Bust Craftacular: There’s no denying that the Bust Craftaculars are huge handmade shopping events! They are always wildly popular and loaded with fantastic artisans. This spring’s events will be no different, except for its new location at 82 Mercer Street between Broome and Spring! (Manhattan)

Smorgasburg – A Brooklyn Flea Food Market: The Brooklyn Flea is about to become an even bigger international foodie mecca! Smorgasburg launches on Saturday in the Williamsburg waterfront location between North 6th and North 7th St., at the East River. There will be over 100 food and food-related vendors, including a Greenmarket. Smorgasburg will be a weekly event. (Brooklyn)

Sunday, May 22, 2011:

Astoria Market: The Astoria artisan market is back for its second year at Bohemian Hall! Artisans, craft shopping, and beer – if that’s not the trifecta for a good afternoon, I don’t know what is! (Queens)

Fine Art and Designer Craft Fair on Bleeeker Street: This festival to raise funds for the Greenwich Village Youth Council is in its 16 year! The quality of the artwork and crafts will be very high, so definitely take a stroll through this market in the heart of the Village.

Greenflea and 79th Street/Columbus Avenue Greenmarket: This weekend, the Greenmarket is back on Columbus Avenue after three weekends of being hosted by the Greenflea during Crafts on Columbus, which ended last weekend. I just have to mention my good friend Carolyn of Wacky Magnets, whose funny magnets will crack you right up! Look for her bright yellow tent just inside the Columbus Avenue Entrance! (Manhattan)

All the ongoing weekend Markets are running full Swing! This week’s picks:

Artists & Fleas: The oldest Market 2.0 in the city, Artists & Fleas’ new location is spacious and filled with great talent and products! (Brooklyn)
Arthur Avenue Retail Market: It is Bronx Week! Go celebrate with some incredible Italian delicacies and a hand rolled cigar from La Casa Grande at this market! (Bronx)

I will definitely see you at Shop the Archway, and I’m figuring out how I can make it to the other great events as well! Let me know what markets you’ll be visiting! And welcome to the lovely Italian journalist who contacted me for market recommendations for her visit to our fair city.

Inspired by Squash & This Art Print Could Be Yours!

Winter Squash Print by Claudia Pearson for Greenmarkets (image from Claudia Pearson)

Who doesn’t love a squash? Butternut, Potimarron, Spaghetti, Acorn, Blue Hubbard – there are more varieties than I ever gave this humble vegetable credit for.

And I absolutely love this new Squash Print by talented illustrator, Claudia Pearson, which she created in partnership with GrowNYC. I first saw this print in December in the Union Square Greenmarket information tent, where I was doing a very very cold book signing. The print is 18″ x 24″ and will be available shortly on Claudia’s Etsy Shop for purchase.

However, if you visit Claudia Pearson’s blog and leave a nice comment about one of your favorite ways to cook squash, you could win a poster of our very own! Claudia will pick the very lucky winner randomly on March 8th.

This winter, I picked out a few new kinds of squash at the Greenmarkets and peeled and hacked them up with my newly sharpened knives. I usually toss the firm, cool chunks in a bowl with olive oil, sea salt, and pepper, and popped them in the oven on a cookie sheet fro 45 minutes at 375°. They invariably came out crispy on the outside and warm, soft, and full of flavor on the inside. Frankly, it was kind of a revelation for me how much I love squash. Next winter, I’m making potimarron soup.

Images from a Snowy Day at the Union Square Greenmarket

Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloomy days stays our farmers from the Union Square Greenmarket! The snow has been falling like popcorn since last night, turning into slush when it lands. And our farmers and local food purveyors are out there today, selling cold but tasty baked goods, apples, pretzels, squashes and more. Breezy Hill Orchard has hot apple cider!

Thank you for keeping the market going, no matter the weather. Days like today, as much as the glorious, bountiful days of summer, are why we love New York City’s Greenmarkets as much as we do!

With apologies to the US Postal Service Creed.