Summer is here and the Farmer's Markets are all over the city. An abundance of organic fruits and vegetables along with high end handmade cheeses and hard to find flowers are omnipresent. Markets are held Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday in over 20 neighborhoods.
Below is a list of all of the farmer's markets in the city. Take your tote and make something delicious from the goods you pick up this week! Below is a recipe for a yummy grilled peach cobbler courtesy of Food Network's Bobby Flay.
Grilled Peach Cobbler
Recipe courtesy Bobby Flay, 2007 Show: Boy Meets Grill Episode: Southern Style Grilling
6 ripe peaches, halved, pit removed
1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted cold butter, melted, plus more if needed, divided
8 tablespoons light brown sugar, divided
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
1/2 cup granola
1 pint vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup prepared caramel sauce, heated
Heat the grill to medium.
Place the peaches cut side down on the grill until browned. Remove from the grill, cut into wedges and place into a gratin dish. To the peaches add half the butter, half the brown sugar and half the cinnamon, and toss. Add the remaining butter, sugar and cinnamon to the granola in a small bowl and toss until combined, adding more butter if needed. Top the peaches with the granola mixture and place the gratin dish onto the grill. Close and bake until the peaches and granola are golden brown, about 15 minutes.
Place 1 large scoop of ice cream into 4 bowls and top with the peache mixture. Drizzle with some of the caramel sauce.
Here's a partial list of what you can generally expect to find when:
May: Leafy greens, green onions, radishes
June: Asparagus, peas, rhubarb, strawberries
July: Blueberries, cucumbers, raspberries, summer squash, snap beans
August: Blackberries, eggplants, peppers, tomatoes
September: Apples, beets, carrots, melons, potatoes
October: Cabbage, leafy greens, winter squash
Many markets have other specialties, read on for details.
Monday-Saturday
Farmstand at Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences: The city's only permanent working 35-acre farm features student-grown produce, including sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, squash and cucumbers. June-October (specific dates not set at press time), 10 AM-5 PM, 3857 W. 111th.
Tuesday
City Farm: The organic farmers at this urban training project use recycled materials and land leased from the city, selling only what they grow on-site. Offerings include more than 20 varieties of heirloom, paste, roasting, cherry and red slicing tomatoes. 6/5-10/25, 3-6 PM, 1240 N. Clybourn, resourcecenterchicago.org.
Federal Plaza: An anchor of the city's 29 year old program (along with Daley Plaza) this market draws vendors from the four state area selling produce, flowers, honey, cheese, bread and baked goods, and plants. 5/3-10/28, 7 AM-3 PM, Adams & Dearborn.
Lincoln Square: 6/10-10/28, 7 AM-2 PM, city parking lot, Lincoln, Leland & Western.
Museum of Contemporary Art/Streeterville: This market has longer hours than many others run by the city; vendors offer a mix of produce and other products. 6/10-10/21, 10 AM-6 PM, MCA Plaza, Chicago & Mies van der Rhoe Way.
Prudential Plaza: Smaller than the bustling markets is still well stocked and convenient for Loop workers. 6/10-10/21, 7 AM-3 PM, Lake & Beaubien Court.
South Chicago: 7/1-10/28, 9 AM-4 PM, Chief Nomo's Oasis, 2650 E 83rd.
Wednesday
Chatham: 7/16-10/1, 9 AM-2 PM, Seaway National Bank parking lot, 87th & Langley.
Gately/Pullman: 6/11-10/29, 7 AM-2 PM, Arcade Park, 111th & Cottage Grove.
Green City Market: This bustling nonprofit market in Lincoln Park promotes organic and sustainable products. Up to 50 regional vendors sell fruits, vegetables, herbs, baked goods, dairy products, meats, honey, flowers and soaps. There are also fresh crepes, made with market produce and sometimes live music. Local chefs give demos at 10:30 AM; on opening day it's Carrie Nahabedian from Naha. One hour parking is available for 4$ with validation. Tours, benefits, and educational programs for adults and kids are scheduled throughout the season. 5/12-10/29, 7 AM-1:30 PM, Lincoln Park, Clark & LaSalle, chicagogreencitymarket.org.
Lawndale: 7/9-10/15, 7 AM-2 PM, Community Bank of Lawndale parking lot, Grenshaw & Homan.
South Shore: 6/11-10/29, 7 AM-2 PM, ShoreBank parking lot, 70th & Jeffery.
Thursday
City Farm: see listing under Tuesday. 6/5-10/25, 3-6 PM, 1240 N. Clybourn.
Daley Plaza: See Federal Plaza listing under Tuesday. 5/15-10/2, 7 AM-3 PM, Washington & Dearborn.
Dunning/Wright College: 6/19-10/30, 7 AM-2 PM, Eli's Cheesecake Co. Parking lot, Montrose & Forest Preserve Ave.
Hyde Park: 6/5-10/30, 7 AM- 2 PM, Harper Court, 52nd Pl, & Harper.
Sears Tower: 6/19-10/30, 7 AM-2 PM, 233 S. Wacker Dr.
Uptown: 6/19-10/23, 8 AM-3 PM, Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson
Saturday
Austin: 7/12-10/25, 7 AM-2 PM, Emmet Math, Science & Technology Academy Parking Lot, Madison & Central.
Bronzeville: 6/10-10/20, 7 AM-2 PM, Dunbar Vocational Career Academy Parking Lot, 29th & King Dr.
City Farm: See listing under Tuesday. 6/5-10/25, 10 AM-1 PM, 1240 N. Clybourn.
El Conuco: Produce market cosponsored by Growing Power and the Puerto Rican Cultural Center. 7/7-11/3, noon-3 PM, 2626 W. Division.
Edgewater: 6/28-10/18, 7 AM-noon, 6034 N. Broadway.
Evanston: This well established market draws more than 30 vendors offering organic and sustainably grown goods including meat and cheese as well as produce. There's free parking with validation until 1 PM at the Maple Avenue garage. 5/17-11/1, 7:30 AM-1 PM, Maple & Clark, cityofevanston.org/enjoy/market.shtml.
Garfield Market Place: This market offers a variety of artisanal items in addition to its produce selection; starting in May, vendors will sell a range of quilts, antiques, and crystal. Fresh, organic produce will be available in July. 5/31-10/26, 11 AM-5 PM, Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park.
Green City Market: See listing under Wednesday. 5/14-10/29, 7 AM-1:30 PM, Lincoln Park, Clark & LaSalle.
Lincoln Park: 5/10-10/25, 7 AM-2 PM, Lincoln Park High School parking lot, Armitage & Orchard.
Morgan Park: 6/7-10/15, 7 AM-2 PM, Shiloah M.B Church parking lot, 92nd & Ashland.
Near North: 5/31-10/25, 7 AM-2 PM, Division & Dearborn.
Nettlehorst French Market: This "French style" market offers fruits, vegetables, fresh cut flowers, jams and preserves, baked goods and crafts. 4/26-11/1, 8 AM-2 PM, Nettlehorst School Playground, Broadway & Montrose.
North Center: 6/14-10/18, 7 AM-2 PM, North Center Town Square, Bell Plaine, Damen & Lincoln.
Oak Park: This 34 year old market has about 30 vendors selling fruits and vegetables, honey, vinegar, flowers, plants, cheese and meat. Local nonprofit organizations make and sell baked goods, doughnuts, and coffee, and there's live music ever week. July 12 is kids' day; August 16 is the market's annual corn roast. Parking's free at Scoville Neighborhood garage. 6/7-10/25, 7 AM-1 PM, Pilgrim Congregational Church, 460 Lake, www.oak-park.us/farmersmarket.
Printer's Row: 6/14-10/18, 7 AM-2 PM. Dearborn & Polk.
Southport Green: This weekly market, in its second year is sponsored by the Southport Neighbors Association. In addition to locally grown vegetables, fruits, meat, poultry, eggs and dairy, there are artisanal breads and various food services, such as knife sharpening. See southportneighbors.com for more. 6/21-10/11, 8 AM-noon, Blaine School, 1420 W. Grace.
Sunday
Ashburn: 6/22-10/19, 7 AM-2 PM, Marquette Park, 71st & Kedzie.
Beverly: 6/8-10/19, 7 AM-2 PM, city parking lot, 95th & Longwood.
Garfield Market Place: See listing under Saturday. 5/31-10/26, 11 AM-5 PM, Garfield Park Conservatory, 300 N. Central Park.
Logan Square: At this weekly market, local farmers and sustainable food producers offer vegetables, flowers, honey, baked goods, meat, cheese, and soap, and Lula Café is set to sell barbecued chicken and fresh fruit pies. 6/1-10/26, 10 AM-3 PM, Logan Blvd. & Milwaukee, 773-489-3222 or logansquarefarmersmarket.org.
Wicker Park/Bucktown: 6/9-10/26, 7 AM-2 PM, Wicker Park, Damen & Wicker Park Ave.
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