farmer's market

summer and fall are the best seasons for the farmer's markets in nyc. the most succulent produce is available. today i went to the farmer's market at second avenue and tenth street . there are only about three or four farmer's there, but what they lack in quantity they make up in quality. peaches were out today. you haven't seen a peach until you have seen one at a farmer's market. when you you hold a farm fresh peach you understand the true meaning of fuzzy. peaches in farmer's markets have velvety fuzz . its amazing to behold. literally. and of course green market peaches are the sweetest and  most juicy around.
today i also bought q-ball zucchini  which is round zucchini. i bought dark green q-ball zucchini, but it was also available in yellow and light green. all yummy and fresh.
farmer's market blueberries are a big temptation. they are more expensive, but worthwhile because they are so sweet.
i rounded out my visit with buying sweet potato and broccoli. the broccoli at the farmer's markets vary in appearance throughout the seasons. i don't remember which season appears which way, but its cool just to notice that there is a difference.
last but not least i bought a few apples- a few winesap , one cameo and one red delicious. farmers market apples are so nice because they aren't coated with wax as supermarket apples often are.
in my opinion the best farmer's market in manhattan is the one in union square. its open mondays, wednesdays , fridays and saturdays. if you can't make there, it is still worthwhile to check out some of the smaller green markets around the city. all of  these markets support local farmers from new york and new jersey . they also have some of the BEST produce in the new york city area. better than whole foods and cheaper than whole foods.its the only place in the city where you can buy a tomato that the vendor picked off the fields that morning. how cool is that?
there are always free recipes at the farmer's market . sometimes the farmers put little recipes on the price signs in their booths. they will also tell you how to "pick  a good one" if you ask them. green markets often have many varieties of ordinary produce.
when i am at the farmer's market i feel as though i am transported to the country . i feel much closer to nature. it makes buying nutritious food a divine adventure.