Bite Of Minnesota: Spring Market Finds
As soon as we start to have warm weather and sunshine, the talk turns to farmers markets and we start to get antsy about cooking fresh and local again. Typically at this time, the abundance of produce hasn't quite hit us yet - it is Minnesota after all! However, thanks to an early spring the first markets will likely offer more than in years prior.
Last Saturday was opening day at Mill City Farmers Market and the market was abuzz with people and the vendors were flush with produce. It was like visiting a market in full swing, and I don't doubt that other markets will be similar these first few weeks of the season.
Here's what to expect when heading to the market:
asparagus (go early!)
radishes
rhubarb
cooking spinach
tender greens
green onions
herbs
starter plants
meats
baked goods
honey
maple syrup
farmstead cheeses
jams, jellies, pickled and fermented vegetables
hand crafted soaps and bodycare
food trucks
and even more!
While the larger markets like Minneapolis, St. Paul, Midtown and Mill City have already opened, there are a few more neighborhood markets opening this weekend including:
4901 Chowen Ave. S.
Minneapolis
Saturdays 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
4310 Nicollet Ave. S.
Minneapolis
Sundays 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Linden Hills Farmers' Market at Settergren's Hardware
2813 West 43rd St.
Minneapolis
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Don't forget about St. Paul's neighborhood markets in Roseville, Andover, Maplewood and Burnsville throughout the week and the Nicollet Mall outpost of the Minneapolis Farmers Market (located on Hennepin Avenue this year) held on Thursdays.
Crystal created Café Cyan in 2006 as a way to share recipes and inspire others to try new foods. In early 2009, she created a food blog for WCCO called Bite of Minnesota, which focuses on local food in Minnesota and the surrounding area.
