Its been cold all Winter and I haven’t gotten out as much as I usually do. But there are certain things you have to go out for in any weather. One of those things is food shopping and because of my love for food, it’s a joy. One of the places I love shopping most is the Union Square Greenmarket in Union Square Park. I think just about everyone who lives in the United States has accessibility to a green market but they never venture out and try shopping there. It’s a way to get back in touch with the people who grow your food and the varietals that you don’t see readily in supermarkets. But since its been brutally cold this weekend a lot of farmers aren’t always able to make the trek downstate. They do make it 9.5 times out of 10!

The Union Square Greenmarket  is there on Mondays, Wednesdays ,Fridays and Saturdays.  The market is always busy especially on weekends and the variety of stalls is impressive. Not all farmers are there on every day so you have to make sure and ask their schedules if there is a particular stall you frequent. The Saturday I went there were three wine makers ( having free tastings), a cheese shop, fisherman, sheep farmer with meat and dyed wool, Angus beef farmer, duck farmer, lavender farmer,bakers, three fruit farmers  and the list goes on.I never even thought of getting duck breast from the Greenmarket. And everyone is super friendly and willing to give you advice on everything, including how to prepare and ingredients to pair with it. Cooking classes are offered weekly by volunteers and of course at every stall you get free samples.One walk through the market and you will expose yourself to foods you haven’t previously seen and the Greenmarket is definitely a great way to spend a Saturday morning, filling up your pantry while planning the weeks’ menu. In the warmer months, I am sure I will post again with all the farmers in attendance because I didn’t get to see m favorites. And I know you’ll love them too.

Until our next rendezvous…

XOXO

Trudy