Season's eatings
Summer means dripping peaches, sweet corn and all the other foods that make this the best time to live off the land. Use this chart to follow what's at the Greenmarket, from July through September*.
Wed Jun 25 2008
*Dates and availability may vary, according to Mother Nature’s whim.
Click here to download this information as a handy, printable PDF chart.
What's fresh in...
JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER
Beets
Shopping tip: Look for pink, yellow and white varieties.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Yuno’s Farm: Mon, Fri Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Wed Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza (E 47th St at Second Ave); Sat Abingdon Square (W 12 St at Hudson St), Tucker Square (W 66th St at Columbus Ave)
Berries: black-, rasp-, blue-, currants
Shopping tip: To a botanist, only the currants are true berries.
When to buy: July through mid-September
Recommended vendor and location: Fantasy Fruit Farm: Mon, Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sun Tompkins Square (E 7th St at Ave A)
Broccoli, cauliflower
Shopping tip: We eat the flower heads of these “cabbages.”
When to buy: Early July and Late September
Recommended vendor and location: Maxwell’s Farm: Mon Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Wed Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza (E 47th St at Second Ave); Sat Grand Army Plaza (northwest entrance of Prospect Park, Brooklyn)
Carrots
Shopping tip: These root veggies can be surprisingly sweet.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Paffenroth Gardens: Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Cherries: sweet and sour
Shopping tip: Eat the sweet ones raw, cook the sour variety.
When to buy: Through mid-July
Recommended vendor and location: Locust Grove Fruit Farm: Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Thu, Sat Tucker Square (W 66th St at Columbus Ave); Fri 97th St (W 97th St at Columbus Ave)
Cucumbers
Shopping tip: Middle Eastern cukes have fewer seeds.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Norwich Meadows Farm: Mon, Fri, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sun Tompkins Square (E 7th St at Ave A)
Eggplant
Shopping tip: Smokers: This plant contains nicotine.
When to buy: Mid-July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Stokes Farm: Wed, Fri Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Thu Tucker Square (W 66th St at Columbus Ave); Sat Tribeca (Greenwich St at Duane St), Tucker Square (W 66th St at Columbus Ave), Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Fennel
Shopping tip: Use the delicate fronds as an herb.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Migliorelli Farm: Wed, Fri, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sun Stuyvesant Town (14th St at Ave A)
Leafy greens
Shopping tip: High in fiber and essential vitamins.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: S&SO Produce Farms: Wed Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza (E 47th St at Second Ave), Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sat McCarren Park (Lorimer St at Driggs St, Greenpoint, Brooklyn), Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Melons
Shopping tip: Look for stems that made a clean break.
When to buy: Late July through early September
Recommended vendor and location: Maxwell’s Farm: Mon Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Wed Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza (E 47th St at Second Ave); Sat Grand Army Plaza (northwest entrance of Prospect Park, Brooklyn)
Peaches, nectarines
Shopping tip: Ignore the blush: Look for a golden base color.
When to buy: Mid-July through mid-September
Recommended vendor and location: Samascott Orchards: Wed Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza (E 47th St at Second Ave); Thu, Sun Columbia (Broadway at 115th St); Fri Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sat Inwood (Isham St at Seaman St)
Peas
Shopping tip: At their best, these legumes are crisp and sweet.
When to buy: Through mid-July
Recommended vendor and location: Kernan Farms: Wed Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Fri 97th St (W 97th St at Columbus Ave); Sat Abingdon Square (W 12 St at Hudson St), Grand Army Plaza (northwest entrance of Prospect Park, Brooklyn); Sun 77th St (W 77th St at Columbus Ave)
Peppers
Shopping tip: Green ones are unripe versions of other colors.
When to buy: Mid-July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Oak Grove Plantation: Wed, Fri, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Plums
Shopping tip: Press gently to check for ripeness.
When to buy: Late July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Red Jacket Orchards: Mon, Wed, Fri Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); plus others
Strawberries
Shopping tip: The Tri-Star variety almost never disappoints.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Berried Treasures: Wed, Fri Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sun 77th St (W 77th St at Columbus Ave)
String beans
Shopping tip: They’re the unripe fruits of the bean plant.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Kernan Farms: Wed Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Fri 97th St (W 97th St at Columbus Ave); Sat Abingdon Square (W 12 St at Hudson St), Grand Army Plaza (northwest entrance of Prospect Park, Brooklyn); Sun 77th St (W 77th St at Columbus Ave)
Summer garlic
Shopping tip: Hard-neck garlic has the best flavor.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Keith’s Farm: Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Summer squash, zucchini
Shopping tip: Wash to remove sand from the delicate skin.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Evolutionary Organics: Wed Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sat Grand Army Plaza (northwest entrance of Prospect Park, Brooklyn)
Tomatoes
Shopping tip: Cook the meaty ones; eat the juicy ones raw.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Eckerton Hill Farm: Mon, Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
What's fresh in...
JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER
Apples
Shopping tip: This symbol of fall first arrives in the summer.
When to buy: Late August through September
Recommended vendor and location: Red Jacket Orchards: Mon Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway), plus others
Apricots
Shopping tip: Get a pound—they’re allegedly aphrodisiacs.
When to buy: August
Recommended vendor and location: Red Jacket Orchards: Mon, Wed, Fri Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); plus others
Beets
Shopping tip: Look for pink, yellow and white varieties.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Yuno’s Farm: Mon, Fri Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Wed Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza (E 47th St at Second Ave); Sat Abingdon Square (W 12 St at Hudson St), Tucker Square (W 66th St at Columbus Ave)
Berries: black-, rasp-, blue-, currants
Shopping tip: To a botanist, only the currants are true berries.
When to buy: July through mid-September
Recommended vendor and location: Fantasy Fruit Farm: Mon, Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sun Tompkins Square (E 7th St at Ave A)
Carrots
Shopping tip: These root veggies can be surprisingly sweet.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Paffenroth Gardens: Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Corn
Shopping tip: Select ears with full, sticky silks.
When to buy: August through September
Recommended vendor and location: Paffenroth Gardens: Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Cucumbers
Shopping tip: Middle Eastern cukes have fewer seeds.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Norwich Meadows Farm: Mon, Fri, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sun Tompkins Square (E 7th St at Ave A)
Eggplant
Shopping tip: Smokers: This plant contains nicotine.
When to buy: Mid-July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Stokes Farm: Wed, Fri Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Thu Tucker Square (W 66th St at Columbus Ave); Sat Tribeca (Greenwich St at Duane St), Tucker Square (W 66th St at Columbus Ave), Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Fennel
Shopping tip: Use the delicate fronds as an herb.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Migliorelli Farm: Wed, Fri, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sun Stuyvesant Town (14th St at Ave A)
Leafy greens
Shopping tip: High in fiber and essential vitamins.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: S&SO Produce Farms: Wed Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza (E 47th St at Second Ave), Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sat McCarren Park (Lorimer St at Driggs St, Greenpoint, Brooklyn), Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Leeks
Shopping tip: Rinse soil from between the stalk’s layers.
When to buy: August through September
Recommended vendor and location: Paffenroth Gardens: Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Melons
Shopping tip: Look for stems that made a clean break.
When to buy: Late July through early September
Recommended vendor and location: Maxwell’s Farm: Mon Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Wed Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza (E 47th St at Second Ave); Sat Grand Army Plaza (northwest entrance of Prospect Park, Brooklyn)
Okra
Shopping tip: These seedpods are great fried or stewed.
When to buy: August through September
Recommended vendor and location: Cherry Lane Farm: Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Peaches, nectarines
Shopping tip: Ignore the blush: Look for a golden base color.
When to buy: Mid-July through mid-September
Recommended vendor and location: Samascott Orchards: Wed Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza (E 47th St at Second Ave); Thu, Sun Columbia (Broadway at 115th St); Fri Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sat Inwood (Isham St at Seaman St)
Peppers
Shopping tip: Green ones are unripe versions of other colors.
When to buy: Mid-July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Oak Grove Plantation: Wed, Fri, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Plums
Shopping tip: Press gently to check for ripeness.
When to buy: Late July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Red Jacket Orchards: Mon, Wed, Fri Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); plus others
Strawberries
Shopping tip: The Tri-Star variety almost never disappoints.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Berried Treasures: Wed, Fri Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sun 77th St (W 77th St at Columbus Ave)
String beans
Shopping tip: They’re the unripe fruits of the bean plant.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Kernan Farms: Wed Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Fri 97th St (W 97th St at Columbus Ave); Sat Abingdon Square (W 12 St at Hudson St), Grand Army Plaza (northwest entrance of Prospect Park, Brooklyn); Sun 77th St (W 77th St at Columbus Ave)
Summer garlic
Shopping tip: Hard-neck garlic has the best flavor.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Keith’s Farm: Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Summer squash, zucchini
Shopping tip: Wash to remove sand from the delicate skin.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Evolutionary Organics: Wed Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sat Grand Army Plaza (northwest entrance of Prospect Park, Brooklyn)
Tomatoes
Shopping tip: Cook the meaty ones; eat the juicy ones raw.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Eckerton Hill Farm: Mon, Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
What's fresh in...
JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER
Apples
Shopping tip: This symbol of fall first arrives in the summer.
When to buy: Late August through September
Recommended vendor and location: Red Jacket Orchards: Mon Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway), plus others
Beets
Shopping tip: Look for pink, yellow and white varieties.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Yuno’s Farm: Mon, Fri Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Wed Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza (E 47th St at Second Ave); Sat Abingdon Square (W 12 St at Hudson St), Tucker Square (W 66th St at Columbus Ave)
Berries: black-, rasp-, blue-, currants
Shopping tip: To a botanist, only the currants are true berries.
When to buy: July through mid-September
Recommended vendor and location: Fantasy Fruit Farm: Mon, Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sun Tompkins Square (E 7th St at Ave A)
Broccoli, cauliflower
Shopping tip: We eat the flower heads of these “cabbages.”
When to buy: Early July and Late September
Recommended vendor and location: Maxwell’s Farm: Mon Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Wed Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza (E 47th St at Second Ave); Sat Grand Army Plaza (northwest entrance of Prospect Park, Brooklyn)
Carrots
Shopping tip: These root veggies can be surprisingly sweet.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Paffenroth Gardens: Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Corn
Shopping tip: Select ears with full, sticky silks.
When to buy: August through September
Recommended vendor and location: Paffenroth Gardens: Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Cucumbers
Shopping tip: Middle Eastern cukes have fewer seeds.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Norwich Meadows Farm: Mon, Fri, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sun Tompkins Square (E 7th St at Ave A)
Eggplant
Shopping tip: Smokers: This plant contains nicotine.
When to buy: Mid-July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Stokes Farm: Wed, Fri Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Thu Tucker Square (W 66th St at Columbus Ave); Sat Tribeca (Greenwich St at Duane St), Tucker Square (W 66th St at Columbus Ave), Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Fennel
Shopping tip: Use the delicate fronds as an herb.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Migliorelli Farm: Wed, Fri, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sun Stuyvesant Town (14th St at Ave A)
Grapes
Shopping tip: The arrival of these clusters heralds the fall.
When to buy: September
Recommended vendor and location: Buzzard Crest Vineyards: Sat Grand Army Plaza (northwest entrance of Prospect Park, Brooklyn), Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Leafy greens
Shopping tip: High in fiber and essential vitamins.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: S&SO Produce Farms: Wed Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza (E 47th St at Second Ave), Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sat McCarren Park (Lorimer St at Driggs St, Greenpoint, Brooklyn), Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Leeks
Shopping tip: Rinse soil from between the stalk’s layers.
When to buy: August through September
Recommended vendor and location: Paffenroth Gardens: Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Melons
Shopping tip: Look for stems that made a clean break.
When to buy: Late July through early September
Recommended vendor and location: Maxwell’s Farm: Mon Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Wed Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza (E 47th St at Second Ave); Sat Grand Army Plaza (northwest entrance of Prospect Park, Brooklyn)
Okra
Shopping tip: These seedpods are great fried or stewed.
When to buy: August through September
Recommended vendor and location: Cherry Lane Farm: Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Peaches, nectarines
Shopping tip: Ignore the blush: Look for a golden base color.
When to buy: Mid-July through mid-September
Recommended vendor and location: Samascott Orchards: Wed Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza (E 47th St at Second Ave); Thu, Sun Columbia (Broadway at 115th St); Fri Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sat Inwood (Isham St at Seaman St)
Peppers
Shopping tip: Green ones are unripe versions of other colors.
When to buy: Mid-July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Oak Grove Plantation: Wed, Fri, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Plums
Shopping tip: Press gently to check for ripeness.
When to buy: Late July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Red Jacket Orchards: Mon, Wed, Fri Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); plus others
Strawberries
Shopping tip: The Tri-Star variety almost never disappoints.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Berried Treasures: Wed, Fri Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sun 77th St (W 77th St at Columbus Ave)
String beans
Shopping tip: They’re the unripe fruits of the bean plant.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Kernan Farms: Wed Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Fri 97th St (W 97th St at Columbus Ave); Sat Abingdon Square (W 12 St at Hudson St), Grand Army Plaza (northwest entrance of Prospect Park, Brooklyn); Sun 77th St (W 77th St at Columbus Ave)
Summer garlic
Shopping tip: Hard-neck garlic has the best flavor.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Keith’s Farm: Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Summer squash, zucchini
Shopping tip: Wash to remove sand from the delicate skin.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Evolutionary Organics: Wed Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sat Grand Army Plaza (northwest entrance of Prospect Park, Brooklyn)
Tomatoes
Shopping tip: Cook the meaty ones; eat the juicy ones raw.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Eckerton Hill Farm: Mon, Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
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