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The Transitional Season Gets Under Way, and It Is Glorious
This photo looks like a typical busy summer Saturday morning at Chicago's Green City Market in Lincoln Park. With one major difference. Look closely to see if you get it.
Yes, for the first time in months, outerwear made an appearance at the market. The early morning temperature was in the upper 50s, which feels colder than it really is after weeks of much warmer weather.
It was a gorgeous, cloudless morning as Green City's flagship market space returned to its regular programming, already in progress, just two days after its amazing blowout Chef BBQ bash. (Check out our photo-heavy coverage of the event by clicking here.)
Along with the jackets and sweatshirts, there was a perhaps even more important sign that peak season is winding down and autumn is on its way.
Yes, folks, that's the first winter squash I've seen, at the stand of Nichols Farm and Orchard (Marengo, Illinois). And there was plenty, in several different varieties.
Now don't panic or anything. The peak season started early and is running long — lucky us — and if you are a fan of sweet bell peppers, this is your time (those colors really pop!). In fact, after this hint of fall, the cool snap is expected to be brief, with high temperatures returning to the 80s by Monday and lasting at least a week.
It is, however, your notice that all summer's glory is fleeting, so don't miss out. This feel like the best local produce season we've experienced since Barb and I moved here in 2011, so make sure you get your cut.
We were well-stocked, so the market haul was pretty small. From left, a whole pastured chicken from Finn's Ranch (Buchanan, Michigan); eggplant and a butternut squash (couldn't resist) from Nichols; pears from Mick Klug Farms (St. Joseph, Michigan); and SunGold cherry tomatoes from Tomato Mountain (Brooklyn, Wisconsin).
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