McCarren Park » Markets of New York

Photos of the Day – September 2, 2010: Peppers from S.&S.O. Produce Farms

Remember that glorious, perfect day last Saturday? I had the great good fortune to spend it doing a book signing at the Greenpoint Greenmarket in McCarren Park. One of the larger markets, it has been fully embraced by the community, and it is also the perfect destination for people exploring the Williamsburg and Greenpoint neighborhoods. I met many nice families and dogs shopping at the market, with Hillary Hawke and the Flipsides playing the perfect plucky market soundtrack on a banjo, a washboard, and a suitcase for a drum. As usual, the most beautiful things at the market were those that were in peak season.

That day the peppers from S.&S.O. Produce Farms were Best in Show. They came in all shades of greens, purples, reds, oranges, yellows, and every combination thereof. The flavors ranged from tasty school lunchy bell peppers to tiny ones that blow steam out of your ears. I couldn’t pick just one photo to represent the beauty of these peppers or that day itself, so I have posted 4 bonus images from the market. Bully for you if this is your market. If it isn’t, then definitely stroll over to McCarren Park on a Saturday very soon.

Thank you to Market Manager Chelsa and GrowNYC for all you do for the neighborhoods of our fair city!

Photo of the Day – August 30, 2010: Zucchini Season and The City Cook

Zucchini and Yellow Squash Are In Season

Zucchini is at its finest in the Greenmarkets right now. I saw people munching on mini loaves of mouth watering zucchini bread from Baker’s Bounty as they strolled through the Greenpoint/McCarren Park market on Saturday. What really got me thinking about zucchini, though, was this recipe for Rigatoni with Fried Zucchini from The City Cook, Kate McDonough. It is the perfect recipe for a cook like me because it is incredibly simple and yields a delicious result that is hearty yet refreshing and summery. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that you can probably substitute some yellow squash for part of the zucchini for additional color.

The vegetables pictured are from Migliorelli Farms, the wonderful Hudson Valley farm that participates in almost 45 different farmers markets in the city and surrounding region each week. Zucchini actually has a pretty long growing season, so you have plenty of time to try all the lovely zucchini recipes you want. What is your favorite one?