2010 Outdoor Farmers' Market Season - Westchester

[i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream]

I thought I'd start a new thread for people to post their delicious farmers' market finds for this year. I stopped by Irvington's tonight and was really impressed with how many vendors were there! I'll be checking out Ossining Saturday. Where's everyone headed?

[bakingpw]

I went to the Armonk Farmers Market this past Thursday. There were approx. 12 vendors: 2 (maybe 3) were wine vendors, 1 was High School kids singing (cute), 1 stand had just pickles, 6 stands were baked goods! 1 stand actually had vegetables and fruit!!!! I bought sweet corn - it was ok. It took me all of 5 minutes to walk through. I won't be going back.

[i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream]

If you happen to be in the neighborhood of Pleasantville, definitely check out the market there. They have at least five, maybe even six, produce vendors. It's nice to have some prepared food vendors, but I would be disappointed too if they made up the bulk of the market.

[Cheese Boy]

Here's a list of New York State Farmers' Markets listed alphabetically by COUNTY. I apologize in advance if there's any omissions or inaccuracies in it, but visiting a market outside your county may prove worthwhile for some.

Look --> http://www.agmkt.state.ny.us/AP/Commu...

[i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream]

I went to Pleasantville this morning and was THRILLED that they have rearranged it so that it's not all along the side of the parking lot in a line like in past years. Now, it's towards the Starbucks end of the lot, actually within the lot, with two rows of the vendors facing each other. There's a large space in the middle so that people aren't tripping over each other. This made it so much more enjoyable. Marge, I thought of you, because the variety of vendors is more like what was at the Briarcliff market. It is, however, much more crowded than Ossining.

We picked up our Cowberry Crossing CSA this week. I'll post a photo. Rainbeau Ridge was there, and I was SO happy to see them after many months of grocery store goat cheese. We also picked up cherries (yum), berries, eggs, etc. Kiernan is now at P'ville too, which is fantastic.

[spa]

We were thrilled with the Cowberry Crossing CSA selection for the first week--abundant and delicious. I'm also thrilled with the new layout of the Pville market. It's safer, easier, and friendlier now. And what a great idea to have a truck there where they cook breakfast or lunch on the spot! I heard there will be guest chefs throughout the summer. I loved the music and the crafts for kids, too.

[i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream]

Spa, what are you doing with the turnips from Cowberry? I've never cooked turnips before. The joi choi almost bested me, but after a search online I made a stir fry with the broccoli, joi choi leaves and stems, and the scallions, and it was sooo good!

I didn't see the food truck!!

[spa]

I eat them raw when they're so small and delicious. I'm grating them and putting them in salads (grate and drain, squeeze well to dry or it'll turn the salad into a swamp), putting slices in sandwiches, and just eating them for snacks. Yum.

The stir fry sounds great. I may so something similar tonight.

[i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream]

I ended up boiling them and then adding a little butter and milk and mashing them. They were really good! The turnip greens were a little too beat up to use for anything. Raw is a great idea. I just ate some pasta with pesto made from the scapes.... yumm.... if nothing else this CSA will make me an expert at preparing vegetables!!

[spa]

Yes, that's actually one of my favorite things about CSA membership, "making new veggie friends" as someone once put it. I had no idea about parsnips and rutabaga, for example, till they started showing up in my share one fall. Now they're favorites. (But I'm in no hurry to get them! I'm loving spring and don't want summer to ever end.)

[Marge]

Thank you! I'll try to check it out this week, there is no market at Ossining anyway because of the village fair.

[dma1250]

I just posted this round-up of markets in Northern Westchester on my blog (which has active links):

http://www.northernwestchesterhome.bl...

Croton
Where: Municipal Lot on Municipal Place and Riverside
When: Wednesday, 1:30 to 6:30 pm, through November 17
Website: Community Markets: Croton

Mt. Kisco
Where: Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester
When: Saturday, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm, through November 20
Website: Community Markets: Mt. Kisco

Cabbage Hill Farm
Where: St. Marks Church, Mt. Kisco
When: Saturday, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm
Website: Cabbage Hill Farm

Muscoot Farm
Where: Muscoot Farm
When: Sunday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, through October
Website: Muscoot Farm

Ossining
Where: Main and Spring Streets, next to Market Square
When: Saturday, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm, through December 18
Website: Community Markets: Ossining

Peekskill
Where: Bank Street, between Main and Park
When: Saturday, 8:00 am to 2:00 pm, June 12 through November
Website: Peekskill Farmers Market

Pleasantville
Where: Memorial plaza at Manville Road
When: Saturday, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm, through December 18
Website: Community Markets: Pleasantville

Stone Barns
Where: Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture
When: Friday, 2:00 to 4:00 pm; Saturday, 1:00 to 4:00 pm; Sunday, 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Website: Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture

Tarrytown
Where: Patriot's Park, Route 9
When: Saturday, 8:30 am to 1:00 pm, through December 18
Website: Community Markets: Tarrytown

[CTeater]

Add Saturdays at John Jay HS

[dma1250]

Is the Katonah-Lewisboro market still on? I could not find any reference to it. Last year it was run by Community Markets, but it is no longer on their site. I knew about the indoor winter market, but I searched quite a bit for info on the outdoor summer one and couldn't find anything about it. Do you know who runs it?

[i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream]

I got an email recently saying that the manager of the K-L was relocating to Mt. Kisco because of the closure of K-L. Not sure if that was just as far as Community Market goes, or if it's closed period.

[wincountrygirl]

John Jay HS in Cross River on Saturdays

[wincountrygirl]

Gone. They are now in Mt. Kisco at the Boys and Girls Club

[JMF]

Bronxville farmers market is the worst it's ever been. Really small, and not that great a group of vendors. Nothing really special.

[i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream]

Ossining was wonderful and a welcome change from the constraints of the indoor market in Briarcliff. I forgot how amazing it is to be outside-- strolling around leisurely, munching goodies, petting dogs-- without claustrophobic quarters and pushy patrons.

[Marge]

I was actually a little disappointed in Ossining--I agree it was wonderful to be outside, but I thought the variety at the indoor market was superior. I went to Croton today, and thought it was very strange--it seemed that the majority of the stands were baked goods. And I thought the prices were really high--much higher than Ossining.

[i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream]

It definitely seemed like vendors were missing. I'm hoping as the season goes on it will fill out. That's too bad about Croton!!

[Elisa515]

My husband went to the Croton market this evening and came back with some great stuff: lots of things from the pickle guy, and some outstanding pea shoots and arugula from the organic farmer who was there last year--these we had tonight. He also got some good looking bok choy and some kale, but I can't vouch for their deliciousness until we actually prepare them.

I believe some of the other vendors from last year who weren't there today are expected to re-join eventually. The more we support the market, the more vendors will be willing to come!

[Kat_in_Ossining]

Agreed that Ossining was pretty disappointing--was there this past Saturday, and I don't understand why it's so underpopulated as far as vendors and selection.

[GIOny]

I know we had a thread for the various indoor farmers markets and the info on them but is there one for the outdoor markets? Days of week? Time? Place??
I thought I had a link for most of them in the area but I can't find it.

[i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream]

Surman posted a VERY thorough listing of all Westchester farmers' markets last season. However, I know that there are new ones and some have closed so check first.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6237...

[GIOny]

Thanks!

[pabboy]

What's the best place to park your car for the Irvington Market?

[Nancy C]

Ossining ahoy for this weekend. Hoping to make some of those awesome burgers Mark Bittman had in the NY Times this week, and need some fresh salads, etc. for sides. Hooray for outdoors!

[i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream]

Mmmm!! Kiernan's beef patties are amazing. We just grilled some on Monday with some gruyere on top from Fairway, Picklelicious pickles, and grilled onions... and it rivaled any burger I've had in a restaurant if I do say so myself! :) I also want rhubarb to make this "big crumb coffee cake" from Smitten Kitchen.

http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/02/big...

[DGresh]

hey I'm making those burgers too! I think the pork ones, with a portobello 'shroom for my veggie daughter.

[i_eat_a_lot_of_ice_cream]

It looked like they had some dedicated parking actually on the grounds of the school next to the market. We parked on the street easily though.