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SOARing Into Summer: Add Plums, Fresh Alliums to Your Shopping List
- Bob Benenson
- a few seconds ago
- 1 min read
As Peak Season Fast Approaches, There's Something New on Every Visit
I feel a bit like a scout this time of year, because virtually every time I go to a farmers market — often multiple times a week — there are delicious new items hitting the Chicago region.
My visit this morning to downtown Chicago's SOAR Farmers Market turned up the first plums of the season (see photo above) at the stand of Ellis Family Farms (Benton Harbor, Michigan).
The north end of the market has been anchored for years by Nichols Farm and Orchard (Marengo, Illinois), the region's biggest diversified produce farm. They are one of the few market farms that sell freshly picked garlic and shallots, which generally are cured (aged) before they are sold. This was my first sighting this year, and they had plenty.
One caveat: Asparagus and strawberries, two of our favorite spring crops, have had especially long and bountiful seasons, but they won't last forever. If you love these plants, get out there soon and get your share.
Busy day, so I bought (quite a bit of) stuff and headed home with this haul.
From left: Chicken leg quarters and eggs from Finn's Ranch (Buchanan, Michigan); from Nichols, zucchini, heirloom hothouse tomatoes, fresh dill, spinach, fresh garlic and English peas; asparagus, strawberries and plums from Ellis Family Farms; and Wisconsin feta and smoked gouda from Stamper Cheese (Chicago).