Market Report for May 3

Come rain, come thunder, I still try to make it to the markets.  Of course, I had a meeting at the market this morning, and then there were tacos, so there was not choice.  But imagine my delight when I walked into the North Market farmer's market and saw asparagus!  I even risked being late to my meeting so that I could stop and buy some from Wishwell Farms.  It will be worth it, or course, when I roast some up for lunch!

Today was Cinco d'Ohio at the North Market, a celebration of all things Ohio along with a salsa competition and a taco-making competition.  As part of the day, there was an Ohio Proud marketplace, so my delight at seeing the year's first asparagus was second only to my delight at finding the nice folks from FreshWater Farms at the market!  I first heard about FreshWater whilst eating at the Winds Cafe in Yellow Springs a few years ago.  They have been serving trout from FW for years.  I had a chance to sample some of the FW smoked trout (below) later at a Local Matters event and it is very tasty.  I have been planning to visit the farms pretty much ever since I started this website, but have never made it.  But Husband and I are planning a field trip to Urbana very soon.  I snagged a pack of 2 smoked trout filets and a whole (filleted) fish to cook up for lunch tomorrow.  I promise a full report. 

I suggested to the FreshWater Farms people that they should come to the market more often, so maybe we could start a campaign.  Fish is one of the things which can be difficult to source locally here in Central Ohio, so we could start a campaign.

I also picked up some chives and lettuce at Toad Hill; I neglected to get another tempeh, but I will get one next week to try out another recipe.

My glee at the market would have been made complete if only Toby Run Farms would have been there with a crop of shitakes.  Next week, for sure!

Don't forget that tomorrow is the first Artisan Sunday at the North Market, starting at noon!

And what did you get?

Comments

[Jule]

I also jumped for joy at the site of asparagus. Can't wait to get some more this weekend!!

[MarketMary]

I bought the fresh trout fillets as well as the orange basil vinaigrette marinade. I know you aren't fond of orange but it was so subtle that it was perfect and the fish were tasty on the grill! We hope to have them back at the Market too!

[Alana]

I hope that your fish from Freshwater was delicious --- one of the advantages of living in Urbana, it is just down the road from my house. They have best fish!! There are several places to visit in Urbana, Freshwater, Crabills and even Rothschild Farms -- well worth a day trip.

[Anne]

I also lobbied hard for the continuing presence of Freshwater Farms. I've been planning to visit for a long time as well - I may wait until berry season so I can stop at the Champaign Berry Farm in Urbana for some pick-your-own goodness in the same trip. And my calendar is marked for their shrimp harvest in September.

We had much the same haul as you, but were there early enough to pick up a pint of morels at Wishwell. I also got some watercress from Toad Hill. At Clintonville we found some lovely thin green beans from H-W Farm.