Market Watch: July 24, 2010
Well, well, well — it's the Lucky Thirteenth Market of the season, and the heirloom tomatoes have arrived — so it's really lucky! Not just the heirloom cherry tomatoes, either, but the cute ones with the stripes, the big and beefy red ones, the smoky-tasting purple ones (try them in fresh salsa and you'll see what MW is talking about), and the stately (yes, stately) yellow and orange ones. Tomatoes! FOR REALS!
As I'm sure you realize, tomatoes are not just for salads or slicing and putting on your burger anymore. Nay, the awesome and versatile tomato is good for so many other things, including the aforementioned fresh salsa, sauces to be canned or freezer-canned, roasted on a skewer... the mind boggles. But one of MW's favorite and simple things to do with a tomato:
- Get a nice, big heirloom tomato
- Fetch some basil leaves from the garden
- Find a baguette
- Find some extra virgin olive oil
- Find some fresh mozzarella cheese
Slice the tomato, cheese, and baguette crosswise. Layer the basil, cheese, and tomato (not necessarily in that order) on top of the baguette slices. Drizzle with olive oil. Eat.
That's it! It's simple and incredibly satisfying and very, very fresh. You can thank MW later.
Here's a little list of what you'll be able to find this week: broccoli, beets, green beans, radishes, rainbow chard, kale, okra, green onions, cabbage, fresh herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers, summer squash, turnips, peaches, nectarines, apricots, plums, early apples, eggplant, kohlrabi, raspberries, gooseberries, currants, sweet corn, potatoes, garlic, fresh whole onions, and who knows what else. MW is hoping for a few more melons this week. It's a safe bet that blueberries are done, that other berries (except blackberries) are close to done, and that the heat has not been so great for the salad greens. If you're after the rabbit food, it's a good idea to come to the Market early.
If you dig plants, flowers, art, crafts, performance, and the best people watching in town in addition to summer's bounty, the Market is a good way to spend your Saturday morning. This weekend is especially good for the youngsters, as the Market's Sprouts at the Market programming is back for another round. This month's theme is all about EATING YOUR COLORS. Kids will have a chance to sample from all the color families of fruits and vegetables, learn why these foods are so darn good for them, and with luck, be able to talk to a farmer about the food they grow. Sprouts events are free and open to kids ages 3-8 and their caregivers. All participants will receive a certificate of participation, and that certificate can be presented at Art Mart in Lincoln Square until 2 p.m. Saturday for 15% off a purchase in the toy store. What's not to like?
Once again: The Market's merchandise for the season is finally available — there's this great "I Heart MY farmers market" design on the front of the t-shirts (the heart is actually the Market's rooster logo); on the back is a groovy bike/tractor design. Nine bucks, people! The very durable and sturdy and BIG tote bags made from recycled cotton — those have the "I Heart MY farmers market" design, too — are hopefully back in stock for the low, low price of $8 apiece after a massive run last Saturday. Seriously, this is an awesome deal, especially because, if MW is doing the math correctly, one can get a shirt and bag for under $20. MW hears the City is accepting cash and checks only for these items, not their own Market money, which is kind of funny. MW also hears the City is considering shipping these items outside the area for former residents who desperately miss Urbana's Market. Email Lisa, the Market's Director, if you're an out-of-towner who needs some Market merch.
That's probably it for now. Come to the Market ready to shop.
Have a great weekend... and eat well!
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Excellent additions, LY.
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The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
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What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
Excellent. I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.
Swap the dog for a fire pit and it sounds like you’re writing about my back yard. Very nice.
funny, as your summer begins, another Summer ends.
@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.
Oh, by the way, the “Champaign County YMCA” no longer exists. The official name is now the “Stephens Family YMCA” (the website has not been updated, but check out the latest program guide). And no, it’s not just the name of the building. It’s the name of the organization.
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Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…