Drizzly Sunday at Headhouse Square
Monday, August 20, 2007
The Headhouse Square Market was absolutely packed when I got over there yesterday around noon. I had wondered if the unseasonably cool and drizzly weather would prevent people from heading out, but it seems that the farmers market crowd is a little more hard core than that. The main aisle was packed with folks who were tasting and wandering before they bought as well as the more focused shoppers who knew exactly what the wanted and where to go to get it.
In the last month I’ve managed to stop by Headhouse Square every Sunday, and in that time I’ve developed sort of a routine. I know who sells the peppers, corn and melons I want, and where to stop to get purple basil and tomatoes. I know these patterns will continue to shift as the seasons change, but I’m enjoying them while I can. Also, and I know that everyone says this when they are asked why they shop at farmers markets, I’ve really loving getting to know the people who are selling me my food. The guy at Beechwood Orchards recognizes me as the girl who is crazy for his white nectarines. Yesterday, when he saw me coming, he waved me over and said, “I’ve only got two quarts of white nectarines left, I was afraid you were going to miss them!” I bought one, as well as a quart of honeycrisp apples, which were really juicy but still the tiniest bit green tasting.
I spent $29.10 yesterday, which is my highest to date since the market at Headhouse opened. I bought more fruit yesterday than I have in past weeks, which is what knocked my total up. I also got a nice bargain, buying a conjoined zucchini (two for the price of one) for $.50. I love days when two quarters are actually enough currency to complete a purchase. The entire list of what I bought is after the jump.
1 quart honeycrisp apples (the quart was $4 and I didn’t realize until I got it home that there were only four apples in it. Not the best bargain)
1 quart white nectarines ($4.50 a quart for nine nectarines, totally worth the price as they are delicious)
1.5 pounds of assorted plums
1 conjoined zucchini (two fused together while growing)
1 bag of purple basil
1 cantaloupe
2 green peppers
1 red pepper
5 assorted tomatoes
6 ears of corn
1 bag of delicious, spicy baby arugula (I had some last week as well)
1 cucumber
I need to learn how to take better pictures of food. Everything looks wonderful.
The guy at Beechwood Orchards recognizes me as the girl who is crazy for his white nectarines.
Ah, Dave. He’s a talkative character. 
(He, or his son Sean, are at 4 or 5 of the markets I visit every week.) If you enjoy shopping with Dave, you might be interested to know that he enjoys farmers’ market customers. He’s told me how frustrated and angry he’d be at his wholesale customers, who would only complain or whine about problems; when he gets home from a market, though, he’s happy and pleased that people rave about his fruit.
Out of curiosity, whose corn do you like? I’m just starting to sample some from a variety of farms, before I settle into a routine of my own.
Hey Marissa! It was nice to meet you at the market. Hope you’re enjoying the purple basil! Stop by next week and get some tomatillos if you can...I’m about to post an amazing recipe for them that you should definitely try.
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The apples [and everything else] look delicious!