Market report: Headhouse Square

Sunday, June 15, 2008

I had really good intentions today - I was going to get up, run over to the Headhouse Square Farmer’s Market, take lots of photos, and take copious notes about which vendors were selling what.  But then I got distracted by the amazing produce.  Considering my CSA share from yesterday is pretty good-sized, I had to stop myself from buying every single pretty green thing I saw!

The market was mobbed at 10am, another reason I didn’t take lots of photos or notes.  There was just enough room to navigate through with purchases.  Note taking was out of the question!

My main reason for hitting Headhouse was to see what Culton Organics was selling.  After Kevin’s post about finding local artichokes from Culton, I really wanted to check out what kinds of other things were being sold there.  The Culton stand did have a large supply of massive artichokes ($4 per huge choke), but I was really interested in an Spanish heirloom variety of turnips.  They sort of look like Hakurei turnips, but have a purple-ish cast and are little more squatty-shaped.  I have yet to give them a try.  I also picked up some cipollini onions and round summer squash while I was there.

I stopped in at the Weavers Way stand - they had gorgeous bunches of multi-colored beets.  I picked them up and put them down at least a half dozen times - I wanted them because they were so pretty, but I still have some beets in the freezer from last Fall!  Finally, common sense won out and I put them down for good.  But I did buy two gorgeous kholrabi for my husband.

The first of the local blueberries found their way into my bag, although I can’t for the life of me remember what stand that was.  Griggstown Quail Farm had duck breasts ($10 per breast), and I bought four lamb chops ($10) from Hillacres Pride.

I must rave about Wild Flour Bakery.  Their stand was incredibly pretty, and I wish I could have taken photos of the gorgeous displays.  As is, I felt compelled to buy a few things there.  They had big cracker sheets with different flavorings for $1 each.  I bought one with pink sea salt, one with red pepper and curry, and another with garlic.  And I had to try the potato bread pretzel ($2)!  It was genius!  I love potato rolls to be begin with, but with pretzel-y crust and lots of salt? Heaven!

My last stop was at the nursery that sells herb plants and flowers at the South end of the Shambles.  I bought three pots of parsley and a pot of Lettuce Leaf basil - big healthy plants!

All told, I spent less than $50 for all of that, most of which was spent on meat and plants.

Next week I can finally get back to hitting my local farmer’s market: the Lansdowne market on Saturday.  Woohoo!