Farmers Markets: Outdoor Grocery Stores

For about two months, the Algonquin Farmers Market has been settling into its new home at Riverfront Park. I stopped by last week to check out the new location and browse for some homegrown produce.

When I was there around 6 p.m., only one vendor was on hand selling produce, but the selection was impressive and the prices reasonable.

Farmers markets are more exciting than shopping at a grocery store. The experience is more intimate and feels more genuine than pushing a cart around an air-conditioned building.

Shopping at a farmers market is also more unpredictable. I never go to a farmers market with a shopping list. I go to browse and let my impulses decide what I buy.

In his article, “How to Cook with Farmers Market Produce,” LA Times writer Russ Parsons states that “when it comes to cooking from the farmers market…improvisation is everything.”

“But,” Parsons continues, “to improvise successfully you still need basic structure.” Of course, you don’t want to go overboard and buy every delicious-looking cucumber and tomato when you already have piles of produce waiting at home. Farmers market shopping does take at least a little bit of forethought.

With these ideas in mind, I played it safe and bought two peppers—one red and one green. I wasn’t sure what I’d do with them, but I knew I had some options.

Then, a few nights later, Nick had the perfect suggestion. We topped a frozen cheese pizza with sliced peppers and threw it in the oven. The peppers were a perfect touch to our simple dinner, and we have some slices left over to add to salads and pasta the rest of the week.

Be sure to check out the Algonquin Farmers Market this summer. They’re at Riverfront Park Thursdays from  2 to 7 p.m. Aside from fresh produce, you can also shop for baked goods and other local items.

And don’t be afraid to improvise a little.