All Over Albany

Shopping the farmers' markets

One of the best things about weekends in the Capital Region is shopping the farmers' markets.

This week -- the first corn of the season! Also sour cherries and other yummy fruit.

Here's more info on what to expect at local markets.

SATURDAY MARKETS

Troy Farmers' Market

Riverfront Park (map)
Saturdays 9AM - 1PM

In season now:
Stone Fruit is slowly rolling in. There will be sour cherries , raspberries , new potatoes , strawberries , fresh garlic , garlic scapes , a full selection of cooking and salad greens , squash , herbs , its the time of year when we say we have it all arugula to zucchini.

Other fun stuff:
Prepared food from Thunder Mountain Curry.
Music from Pine Hills String Band.
Cooking demonstration from chef Larry of Tosca Grill
RCHS walking tour of Troy from 10:30-11:30 starts at the market.
Tight Knit arts and crafts market.

Saratoga Farmers' Market
High Rock Park (map)
Saturday 9AM - 1PM
Also Wednesday from 3-6

In season now:
Some spring crops, like asparagus are holding on and summer squashes coming in too. We will have broccoli, green peppers, tomatoes, summer squash, zucchini, potatoes, beets, radishes, fennel, all kinds of greens, mushrooms, sprouts and of course, strawberries.

Also Expect:
Jams, baked goods and cheeses

Farmers Market at the Crossings
Crossings Park of Colonie, Albany-Shaker Road across from Emerick Ln.(map) Saturday 9AM-1PM

In season now:
Strawberries.

Also Expect
Meadowbrook Dairy: fresh milk, cream and half & half

The Peanut Principle: assorted homemade nut products, candy, chocolates and dried fruit

Albany Farmers Market
Saturday from 9AM- 1PM
339 Central Avenue, Albany
Linda Norris Auditorium Lot (map)

In season now:

Parson's Vegetable Farm has edible pea pods and beautiful fresh-cut flowers
Barber Farms has brand-new tender zucchini and summer squash--great for grilling.

Also expect:

Fresh-baked loaves of bread, biscotti, and delectable scones from Rock Hill Bakehouse

For the barbecue: whole chickens from Garden of Spices or Angus burgers from Ledge Rock Farms.

Other fun stuff:

We're celebrating the 4th of July with free face painting for the kids, balloons, and plenty of giveaways!

SUNDAY MARKETS:

Schenectady Greenmarket
Around Schenectady City Hall (map)
Sunday 10am-2pm

Fresh this week:

New to the market: red new potatoes, slicing cucumbers, pluots (a plum and apricot cross)

Fruit plays a big role at the market this time of year. Expect cherries, apricots, peaches, pluots, strawberries, sweet cherries

Veggies: baby beets, beets (including bulls blood red), beet greens, bok choy, broccoli, carrots (at least two types), cauliflower (white, green and orange), cabbage, Chinese cabbage, cucumbers (slicing, Asian, picklers, Tyria/baby), fennel, garlic, garlic scapes (including German white), green beans, green onions (including purple), tomatoes (hydroponic cherry, vine cluster, beefsteak), peas (edible pod and shelling), sweet turnips, radishes, yellow squash, zucchini, patty pan squash

Greens: Swiss chard (rainbox and more), kale, many varieties of salad mixes, braising greens, lettuces (buttercrunch, red and green leaf, bib, butter, oak, romaine and some mixed heads that combine all of these!), Boston lettuce, Endive, Escarole, spinach

Herbs: sweet basil, lemon basil, sweet Thai basil, Lime basil, Greek globe basil, dill, cilantro, Italian large leaf parsley, mints, oregano, thyme, arugula and more

Also Expect:
New vendors: Heamour Farm (cheese and yoghurt) and Patty Paws (dog treats)

New to the market: Heamour Farm will bring fresh mozzarella, Dunlop curd, plain yoghurt, Labneh (Lebanese-style strained yoghurt), Quark and Fromage Blanc (fresh cheeses).

Other vendors:
Abbey Farms, Battenkill Valley Creamery, Bollywood Masala, Bon Jolie Delectables, BuddhaPesto, Cascade Mountain Winery, Cooper's Ark Farm, Dancing Ewe Farm, Divinitea, Dutch Desserts, Gemmesduterre, Healing Path Massage, Heamour Farm, Hudson-Chatham Winery, JCN Designs/Sororia Organics Soap, Lloyd Spear Beekeeper, Mariaville Angus, Mary Ann Thomas, Moseskill Marketplace, Mu Mu Muesli, Olivia Royale, Our Daily Bread, Painted Goat Farm, Palatine Valley Dairy, Pixie's Preserves by Petuske's Produce, The Placid Baker, Saratoga Peanut Butter Company, Slyboro Ciderhouse, Sweet Tree Farm

Other fun stuff:
Live Music: Market favorite, Running the River (http://www.running-the-river.webs.com/), returns with their unique blend of classic country, rock, folk, Irish, blues and fiddle tunes.