Hints of Fall As Peak Season Rolls On
Early grapes, brussels sprouts, apples make an appearance
The Overlap Season is Under Way
We are still in the thick of the summer peak growing season, and the variety will amaze you if you aren’t a farmers market regular. That said, though, we are creeping toward the transitional overlap as we inch closer to fall, as I found during my Tuesday morning visit to SOAR Farmers Market in downtown Chicago.
The grapes above, at the stand of Ellis Family Farms (Benton Harbor, Michigan), illustrate the point, as do the Brussels sprouts and widening variety of apples at the stand of Nichols Farm and Orchard (Marengo, Illinois).
Here’s today’s market haul:
Sourdough loaf and soft pretzels from Bennison’s Bakery (Evanston, Illinois), Sun Gold cherry tomatoes from Noffke Family Farms (Coloma, Michigan), apricots from Ellis Family Farms; tofu salads from Phoenix Bean (Chicago); 4-year-old cheddar from Stamper Cheese (Chicago); eggplant, basil and oregano from Smits Farms (Chicago Heights, Illinois); very large bell peppers, a jalapeno and green beans from Nichols; and field tomatoes from Lane’s End Farm (Lowell, Indiana).