4 Things to Pick Up at the Market This Weekend

Here at Food52, we like to talk about what we’re buying at the market: what’s new, what’s exciting, the market's best finds. This is our water cooler talk. And now, we want you to join in. 

You might need to grab a sweater before you head out, but farmers market stalls are still overflowing with produce. Here's what the Food52 editors can’t wait to pick up this week -- and why you should be adding it to your bag, too.

Honeycrisp apples 
So crunchy and sweet -- with just the right amount of tart -- these are one of our favorite types of apples, both for eating out of hand and for baking with. But to be honest, thanks to Marian we're really just excited to stick our apple peels in bourbon and make fizzy fall-spiced drinks.

Brussels sprouts
Getting Brussels sprouts at your farmers market is the best, because often you get the satisfaction of lugging them around on their baseball bat-sized stalk -- nothing makes you feel like more of a badass at the farmers market. Plus, you get to have the added satisfaction of popping them off of the stalk (if you're questioning our mental state right about now, don't burst our bubble) before grilling, pan-frying, or chopping them up into salad. 

Romanesco
We've been hooked on cauliflower lately, and this week's no different, except that for a little variety we're buying heads of spiraled, chartreuse-colored romanesco. Sarah's picking some up (along with potatoes and kabocha squash) and making curry soups and curried roasted vegetables.

Bread
Much like when we've suggested you buy other pedestrian ingredients like eggs and milk, this recommendation might elicit an eye roll or two. But for weeks when you don't have time (or if you never want to take the time) to make your own crusty loaf of bread, the farmers market brings a bakery to you, no extra stop required. Kristen's buying a loaf for a repeat of a recent weird-but-good combo: "a fried bread panzanella with lime juice, curry powder, sort of braise-steamed broccoli, and the last of the really juicy tomatoes." 

Tell us: What are you picking up at your farmers market?

Photos by James Ransom