Behold the Yam Behold the sweet potato. It seems like a non-descript root, but bake it in the oven, and it magically softens and even caramelizes itself. And they are positively loaded with nutrients: vitamin A ( beta-carotene), vitamin C, manganese, copper, pantothenic acid and vitamin B6, plus potassium, dietary fiber, niacin, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and phosphorus. See? They deserve to be respected and savored. Pick up some plump ones in your neighborhood farmers market. We

Unicorns Welcome at the New Brooklyn Owl Store with Owner Annie Bruce (Photo by Michelle Danahy) Kindred Spirits at Brooklyn Owl (photo by Taylor Bringard) I know unicorns are a ‘thing’ now, but I’ve loved them for a long, long, long time before now. So there. Mermaids too. However, I never thought I could actually BE a unicorn — until I met Annie Bruce, owner of Brooklyn Owl. Annie has magical powers to turn us all into unicorns. She makes the sweetest, most wonderful felt u

You have to know by now that I love Coney Island, and I love mermaids. So I’m very happy to share the latest news from Coney Island USA! Opening Of The Ocean at Coney Island (Photo by Norman Blake-all rights reserved) Coney Island USA’s 35th Annual Mermaid Parade will begin at 1 pm on Saturday, June 17, 2017. The parade starts at the corner of West 21st Street and Surf Avenue, and proceeds east on Surf Avenue to West 10th Street, where it turns south to the Boardwalk, and the

Adopt your new best friend at Badass Brooklyn Fall Fest (Photo courtesy of Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue) The weather is clearly turning towards the cooler seasons. I love autumn, and I still get that nostalgia for summertime just like I did when I had to go back to school. You know what I’m talking about, right? The refreshing weather and everyone’s return from the beach to the city also means that the markets are in full swing! Check out these amazing market events around t

Eat Your Colors Do you find yourself sweating while sitting still? Do you dread opening your air conditioning bill? Have your popsicles turned into juice puddles on the way home from the store? Well, that’s August for you. On the other hand, we have the most beautiful, fragrant, and delicious fruits and vegetables in the greenmarkets all over the city right now. The tomatoes are juicy and luscious, and I can’t shove enough luscious peaches in my cake hole. So make the most of

The Meditative Beauty of the Fort Greene Greenmarket James and I made a special trip to the Fort Greene Greenmarket on Saturday to select tomatoes from the incredible variety grown by Wilklow Orchards. However, we got there rather late in the day, and virtually all the tomatoes had been purchased. Fortunately, that means we’ll have to go back! We have not hit peak tomato season, and Farmer Albert Wilklow let us know that he’ll have a great variety coming in over the coming we

Vintage Objects at the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market This weekend, you can enjoy some of the best seasonal and annual market events of the year, in addition to the wonderful on-going markets. Essex Street Market is turning 76 years old! Makers are coming to the city from around the country for the Renegade Craft Fair and the 100-Miles Pop Up at Artists and Fleas (see below). There is plenty of local food in the markets this weekend too! If it’s vintage you love, check out the He

Iconic Katz’s Deli by Artist PJ Cobbs I caught up with Artist PJ Cobbs shopping in the Greenmarket recently Sometimes art is beautiful. Sometimes it strikes a chord with the person admiring it. With the paintings and collages by PJ Cobbs Arts, it is a combination of both. PJ uses painting, photography and collage techniques in her images of iconic New York places, personalities and experiences. She paints classic institutions, like Katz’s Deli (above) and places that have bec

Tiny Coyote Tomatoes Pack a Wallop of Flavor Pale yellow coyote tomatoes are not much bigger than a large blueberry, but they are little flavor bombs! Pop a single, tiny tomato in your mouth, and KAPOW! You’ll see what I mean. You can put them in salads or just pop them into your mouth. These ones are from Eckerton Hill Farm at the Union Square Greenmarket.  Just keep your eye out for them in markets throughout the city and the week. One small container packs a lot of flavor!

Wonderfully tasty hummus drizzled with olive oil from MTerranean Food trends come and go, but the Mediterranean diet that has been around for millennia. MTerranean, owned by my friend Abdul Elanani, is a wonderful eatery at the Gansevoort Market in the Meatpacking District, offering takeout and a new eatery bar. The staples are largely plant based, with only a small portion of protein on a daily basis. Abdul offers his clients an incredibly fresh take on traditional dishes, i

West 79th Street Greenmarket Is Open Throughout the Winter Season Every winter, I feel grateful for all the farmers who continue to bring their fresh produce to the city’s greenmarkets throughout the season. On the coldest of days, you will find them outside, under their tents, probably stamping their feet and blowing on their hands to keep warm. I really don’t know how they do it, but I, for one appreciate them. And I thank them from the bottom of my soup pot. Weekend Market

A brisk, clear day at the Greenmarket in Union Square We are embarking on a brand new year! I know there are millions of visitors in the city right now, so here are some of the big year-round markets that are open this weekend. And we have one remaining Holiday Market open for their last weekend of the season!. Let’s enjoy the rest of our holiday because 2015 is waiting for us on Monday! Holiday Market: Winter Village at Bryant Park, Open through Sunday! Saturday, January 3,

Golly cuts out the image you’ve selected Despite his bad rap on “The Big Bang Theory,” Aquaman is the coolest superhero in my opinion. It’s not even an opinion. It’s a fact (he can talk to dolphins!). Part of his appeal for me, actually, is that one of the main illustrators for the series was a woman, Ramona Fredan, whom I met in person a few years ago. So when I found out about the Golly NYC‘s Design Your Own Vintage T-Shirt service, mine had to be Aquaman. Golly, AKA Keith

Every year I have to post a story about Brussels sprouts because the are just so pretty. This year I’ve found some true beauties at the Union Square Greenmarket. Brussels sprouts look like teensy cabbages, but they actually grow on stalks. It is lovely to bring home an entire stalk and cut them off as you need them, like a mini harvest in your kitchen. We’re making a new Brussels sprout recipe for Thanksgiving this year. Traditionally, my sister-in-law Judy’s recipe is to cut

Late in the summer, I saw flyers all over Williamsburg for a new market opening up in Bushwick. I knew the organizers were on the ball when I kept seeing information and previews of their new market, SHWICK.  So I was ready for Opening Day in mid-October. SHWICK is a mix of local artisans, vintage vendors and food purveyors, and even a farmstand in season. I was impressed with the great variety, and many of them are makers I’ve never met before. To me, that is a sign that SHW

Black Radishes – One Tough Vegetable Happy Halloween! Here’s are some black radishes for you. They are no a black swans, but they beautiful in their own right, don’t you think? For some great recipes, Author Kathy Erway seems to know her way around an heirloom radish. Weekend Market Picks Friday, Saturday & Sunday October 31 – November 2, 2014 Brooklyn Night Bazaar: New York’s premier night market is having a Halloween Extravaganza tonight! The best costume wins $500! Plus li

When I think of honey, I think of a sweet substance with its own inimitable flavor. Of course there are grades of honey, from the stuff you get at any old grocery store that tastes like it was strip mined by mildly dissatisfied worker bees, to locally and lovingly cultivated honey made by the happiest of bumblers. One thing you don’t generally associate with honey, though, is hot peppers. But I’m here to tell you that it is delicious! Two weekends ago at Shwick, the great new

GoodWeave Child Labor Free Rug Certification Label You know how much I adore things that are made by hand. If I find something made by a child, it means even more to me. Except when that child is actually working in a factory 18 hours a day for no pay, little food and no education. So I want to take this opportunity to share with you a campaign by GoodWeave, an organization that rescues children from the rug looms in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, rehabilitates them and sup

Irixx Screen of D.U.O. Gear at the Conception Emerging Artists Show on Friday (Photo by Irixx Screen) Irixx Screen is having his first gallery show! You may know him from his D.U.O Gear shirts, hats, jackets and giant bear hugs at The Market NYC, where he holds court and makes friends with people from around the world. He is also a talented and passionate fine artist. I am so happy to let you know that Irixx is participating in a group show called Conception. It is happening

Badass Brooklyn: Saving Badass Dogs from Idiot Humans. (Photo by Hillary Benas Photography, courtesy of Badass Brooklyn) The fall market season is really heating up! Are you looking for an old bike or an antique book? Do you like vegan food or high fashion? Then there’s an event for you somewhere in the city. I want to make a special mention of the Badass Brooklyn Fall Festival on Sunday because proceeds go to support animal rescue and foster activities in the city. This orga