There was considerable good produce (much grown in greenhouses or under cold frames this time of year) to choose from including tons of plants.  Looking at my growing pictures from the past few weeks, you definitely don’t get the appreciation of the amount of work it takes to get to the point that you can buy the plant in a pot.   Many of the plants at today’s market looked great.

I was shopping for food, though.  First stop, Nichols Farm.  They had an early bag of basil that looked great.  I’ll likely through it in a pasta dish this weekend.

Next up, beautiful looking radishes.  I’m growing big round varieties, so it is a treat to try something different.  Don’t forget, the leaves are also edible.  Chop them up and toss them in a salad for an interesting kick.

Flamin’ Fury Peaches (which grows a fine peach) was selling asparagus at the market today — 2 bunches for $5.  Asparagus is really hard to grow, so I have no problem buying.

Finally, there is nothing better than market eggs.  Go buy grocery store eggs and crack one of these side by side.  No comparison.  Bright, bright yellow yolks and a much better taste.  I always get my eggs from TJ’s (which also sells them at the GCM during the winter).

As I was wondering around the market today, I kept smelling burgers.  And they were good smelling burgers.  Sunday Dinner was cooking up burgers, brats, and breakfast sandwiches.  A bit early for a burger, I opted for the breakfast sandwich with eggs, cheese, and saugage from Twin Oaks Meats.  It was so good, I wasn’t able to take a picture.

It’s good to be back outside.  Summer is almost here.

Related articles:

1. Green City Market, April 18, 2009
2. Holidays and Seasonal Foods

If you follow @GreenCityMarket on Twitter, you were notified that Cannon Drive was closed this morning for the Wrigley “Start Early Run” Race.  Walking through Lincoln Park, I was caught up in the action.

Caught at the Wrigley "Start Early Run" Race on the way to the market.

Sometimes you have to stop and smell the flowers.  In my case, I stopped to photograph ducks in the North Pond of Lincoln Park.  I walked all the way up to the edge the pond — about 2 feet from the ducks — and they just sat their while I took a picture.

Ducks of the North Pond, April 2009

Sorry about the side track, back to the market.  Luckily for us, Growing Power is able to start their vegetables in a greenhouse or cold frame (I should have asked) so they have a variety of greens ready to eat today.  I picked up both the arugula and salad greens.

Salad Greens and Arugula from Growing Power at the Green City Market

It’s rare to get scallions this early and they really smelled good (and strong — my entire bag smelled like scallions.  I also picked up mint and sorrel leaves from Nichols Farm, both of which looked great.

Mint Leaves from the Green City Market

Sorrel Leaves from the Green City Market

Scallions from the Green City Market

And finally to round out my Green City Market trip, I picked up Green Offerings bunch of tulips.  They’re very closed now (I purposely picked them like that) so hopefully I can watch them slowly open all week.

Tulips from Garden Offerings at the Green City Market

And since I was one of the first 200 to show up, I received a basil pot!  This one will go on my kitchen counter in a small pot.  Thanks Green City Market!

Basil Pot, a gift from the Green City Market

It’s far too nice to be inside today.  I’m back outside to enjoy the weather before it starts raining tomorrow.  Have a good day!

Related articles:

1. Friday Weeds – April 10, 2009
2. Friday Weeds – April 17, 2009
3. Friday Weeds – April 24, 2009