The Dirt: What To Get At The Farmers Market This Weekend
Whether you’re resolved to eat less meat, cut a few carbs, add some leafy greens, or to resist the siren song of Seamless, here’s what you should be looking for at your farmer’s market this week-end to help you keep your New Year’s resolutions for a little longer.
Maitake Mushrooms – Feathery and frilly, these light brown mushrooms, also called by the name “hen of the wood” have a nutty, earthy flavor capable of contributing meaty flavor to even vegetarian meals, or crisp them up face down in hot frying pan for a satisfying, crisp-chewy treat. Davidson Exotics will have them at the Rittenhouse Market tomorrow alongside the creminis and oysters.
Spaghetti Squash – Look, I know that you love pasta. I love pasta, too. But if you’re looking to lighten up a little in 2015, it might be worth stopping by the Rineer Family Farm table at the Chestnut Hill market tomorrow to pick up some spaghetti squash. The squash shreds into fine strands after baking and, though they’re no approximation of actual, high-gluten spaghetti, subbing them in might help you .
Mustard Greens – Kale might still be the poster child for healthy eating (I blame Beyonce’s outfit in the 7/11 music video), but mustard greens are the next big thing. Just as cancer-fighting and cholesterol-lowering as kale, mustard greens have an far more delicate, feathery texture along with a wasabi-like spice that guarantees they’ll be popular among fans of peppery greens like arugula or watercress. Want some? Check the Homestead Gardens table at Clark Park.
Hot Soup – Nobody, but nobody likes this kind of cold weather, but if it’s good for one thing that thing is soup. Good Spoon will have three hot soups to keep your hands warm while you shop the other stands at the Rittenhouse Market. Arrive early to take your pick of hot Mushroom Velouté, White Bean & Kale, or Grass-Fed Beef Chili. Even if you prefer to have lunch indoors they’ll have a selection of their frozen soups for sale to take home. Have a few favorites to stock up on? Place pre-orders here.
