One of my favorite things to do here in the Hudson Valley is to shop the Farmer’s Markets.  There are so many to choose from and each has something unique to offer.  Although you can find a Farmer’s Market almost any day of the week, I generally choose the weekends so I can go with my husband or kids.  One of my Saturday locations is the Cold Spring Farmer’s Market. The CSFM is on the grounds of the historic Boscobel House and Gardens from May-November (and continues with an indoor market, at a different location throughout the winter months).  It’s fun to browse the different vendors and talk to those who run the stands.

There are lots of vendors offering fresh fruits,vegetables, jams, bread, wine, flowers, and well, you get the picture.  Most weeks, I purchase vegetables that I didn’t grow in my garden or items that our backyard wildlife has feasted upon.  Here’s what I picked up this week.

Aren’t these yellow carrots awesome?! I think I’ll use them in some homemade soup this week.  Then there were the jams from Coyote Kitchen.  We tasted a bunch of yummy samples including some non-traditional ones.  Here lies the difference between a Farmer’s Market and your local grocer – I tasted a Lemon-Dill Jelly that I really liked, but I wasn’t quite sure what else to do with it other than spread it on crackers. Now because I could talk to the  person who created the jelly, I was offered several different ways to use it.  I got a new chicken recipe as well as an idea to add it to my popcorn.  I’ll post them as soon as I try them out!

Sampling cheeses from Chaseholm Farm.

My son and daughter also convinced me that the Italian sopressata and cheese from the Chaseholm Farm were a must.  They were right! Sampling is so much fun!

My favorite find of the day were the beautiful fresh cut flowers from Tiny Hearts Farm.  I couldn’t resist the explosion of colors that jumped out at me. They just made me smile every time I walk past them.

These ladies had such a nice variety of flowers and the picture below really doesn’t do their display justice, they were just so cheerful as they took care of us that I focused the camera on them! I’d be happy too if I could be around such beauty all day.  Their Facebook page has lots of great photos of their farm and flowers, and after checking it out myself, I’m thinking…………ROAD TRIP!! I’m not sure if the farm is open to the public, but I’ll be sure to ask them next time I see them at the Market.

Tiny Hearts Farm

I hope you’ll consider supporting our local farmers and spending a little time at one of our local Farm Markets.  I found this link in Edible Hudson Valley to be a comprehensive listing of markets around the Valley. Although you can come and go quickly enough, I enjoy what each location has to offer. I spend time in some of the local shops, walk the property (like we did at Boscobel) or picnicking.