Summer Color Splash: Farmers Market

My favorite place to shop in NYC is the farmers market at Union Square.

Fresh, colorful food is full of vitamins. Eating delicious, pesticide free food is what life is all about. A juicy peach picked that morning is what a peach should taste like.

Eating locally grown food is nothing new. A hundred years ago 95% of Americans lived on farms. Food from nearby farms brought in by horse and cart was how city dwellers survived. In the 1800’s Brooklyn was an expanse of farm land – the highest producing county in America. By the 20th century the farms moved west. By the 1970’s New Yorkers complained of brown lettuce and hard tomatoes while local farms went bankrupt. In 1976 on an empty lot, twelve farmers started the first farmers market. Now NYC has the most thriving network of green markets the country has to offer.

Find your local farmers market. Make a point to meet the farmers and ask questions about the food. They will always have a great tip for you or recipe.

Here are some pictures from one of my recent trips to the market

Peach- Tomato Salsa Recipe

Ingredients: 3 Firm Peaches, 1 Tablespoon of Lemon Juice, 2 Ripe Tomatoes, 6 Scallions, 2 Jalapenos, Small handful Chopped Cilantro [optional], 3/4 Cup Olive Oil, 1/4 cup Sherry Vinegar, 2 Tablespoons Honey

Cut peaches in cubes. Chop Scallion and Jalapeno into small dice. Coarsely chop Cilantro and mix all above in bowl.

Blend lemon juice, olive oil, vinegar and honey with salt and pepper. Add to bowl and mix well.

Let stand for 20 mins. Delicious with tortilla chips, even better on grilled fish.