Spoiled. That's the only word to describe people who are lucky enough to live in the Bay Area and visit the multitude of farmers' markets and produce stands. The beautiful climate, combined with demanding clientele, always yielded new produce discoveries of high quality. I remember buying boxes of peaches, nectarines, and apricots from Frog Hollow and gorging on stone fruits. I remember always buying more than I could eat but never regretting the visual satiation of just staring at all the gorgeous food.
Now in Boston, I've been to some of the farmers' markets in the city. The ones at Copley Square and City Hall Plaza seem so small compared to the ones in Oakland, Berkeley, Napa, & San Francisco. While they have a varied selection, I was slightly disappointed at not seeing a lot of peaches and exotic vegetables. But this is due to the facts that the growing season is much shorter and the climate very different. I shop at these markets but always longingly think of the ones back home.
Last week I was finally able to visit one of the biggest ones in the area, out in Brookline near Coolidge Corner. It's a great location because I can walk there after work and take the T back into the city. I picked up a bag of really interesting produce and ended up with a great healthy dinner (post to follow).
There were tons of vendors there, and the late afternoon time slot is perfect since I can go after work. Crates with rainbows of tomatoes, buckets of apples (which I concede that the East Coast does better than the West Coast), and a fun vibe complete with an ice cream truck, kids running around, and both a pot pie guy and a regular pie lady! I even got to sample chocolate goat cheese. Yes, you read that right- cheese and chocolate finally merge together.
The sad thing is that all the farmers' markets out here close after October. I'm going to try to visit them as much as I can before the season ends, I urge you to do so also. And if you live in the Bay Area, someone please send me a basket of whatever's in season! I will love you forever. Or about as much as I would also love somebody who sends me something from Pierre Hermé. I'm macaron deprived right now.
Now in Boston, I've been to some of the farmers' markets in the city. The ones at Copley Square and City Hall Plaza seem so small compared to the ones in Oakland, Berkeley, Napa, & San Francisco. While they have a varied selection, I was slightly disappointed at not seeing a lot of peaches and exotic vegetables. But this is due to the facts that the growing season is much shorter and the climate very different. I shop at these markets but always longingly think of the ones back home.
Last week I was finally able to visit one of the biggest ones in the area, out in Brookline near Coolidge Corner. It's a great location because I can walk there after work and take the T back into the city. I picked up a bag of really interesting produce and ended up with a great healthy dinner (post to follow).
There were tons of vendors there, and the late afternoon time slot is perfect since I can go after work. Crates with rainbows of tomatoes, buckets of apples (which I concede that the East Coast does better than the West Coast), and a fun vibe complete with an ice cream truck, kids running around, and both a pot pie guy and a regular pie lady! I even got to sample chocolate goat cheese. Yes, you read that right- cheese and chocolate finally merge together.
The sad thing is that all the farmers' markets out here close after October. I'm going to try to visit them as much as I can before the season ends, I urge you to do so also. And if you live in the Bay Area, someone please send me a basket of whatever's in season! I will love you forever. Or about as much as I would also love somebody who sends me something from Pierre Hermé. I'm macaron deprived right now.
Brookline Farmers' Market
Centre Street West Parking Lot near Coolidge Corner
June 15-Oct 26, 2006
Every Thursday 1:30PM-Dark
Bon appétit!
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