This Little Piggy went to Market…
It seems like spring took forever to reach us here in Maine. Now that is has, everything is growing and blooming at a terrific pace. One of the great things here in Portland that also reappears in the spring is our Farmers Market. As people become more aware of what they are eating in order to be healthier and greener, they become more interested in knowing where their food comes from and how it got there. The Farmers Market is the essential place to get the freshest, locally produced, natural, organic produce and meat, and also place to get to know the farmer’s that bring their goods to market. Farmers are an unending source for knowledge about the food that you eat, from what’s ripe and ready, to how best to use the item you are interested in, and when other thing that are growing right now will be ready and available for you.
The Portland Farmers Market takes place on Saturdays between 7 a.m. and 12 noon at Deering Oaks Park and on Wednesdays between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Monument Square in Downtown Portland. Cash is always accepted at the market, but there is also a “Market Money” system for folks who only brought a debit or credit card or for those who have a SNAP card (food stamps). At the “Market Money” kiosk you simply purchase as many small wooden coins with either a $1 or $5 denominations as you need with your debit/credit card or SNAP card. You then take the coins to any participating vendor (about 90% of growers participate) and purchase your produce with the coins. Just bring any left over coins with you to make purchases next time.
Portland’s Farmers Market was recently recognized by Travel and Leisure Magazine as being one of the Top Ten Farmers Market’s in the country (check the article out at the link below). With over 35 growers gathering twice a week, Portlander’s get to experience the best seasonal items that the area has to offer. At the moment my favorite items they have, which you need to get there early to procure before they run out, are ramps (garlic scape) and fiddleheads. These great vegetables can only be found by foraging in areas that meet the particular needs of the plants. Ramps have a great fresh smell, a bright, but not overwhelming, garlic flavor and have a broad leaf that is delicious when lightly sauteed. Fiddleheads are the young heads of a specific fern that are crunchy with a taste somewhat like a slightly bitter asparagus. Ramps and fiddleheads are here now, but will be completely unavailable within a month, so we try to get all we can while they are available. Another item I can’t get enough of are the hot and sour garlic pickles that are sold at Uncle’s Farm Stand. These are the most flavorful pickle I’ve ever run across, with a great garlic bite and a moderate spiciness that is brilliantly offset by the tartness of the vinegar they use to pickle these sweet like cucumbers. Jena, my wife, usually ends up buying several jars to store (which they do very well) over the winter so I can get my hot and sour garlic fix even in the darkest of months.
Whether you come to Portland to experience our Farmers Market or you find one near you, everyone should take it upon themselves to get out and get to know your local farmers and the amazing products they have to offer.
http://www.portlandmainefarmersmarket.org/
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-best-farmers-markets/1