Market Report: May kicks off farmers market season on a high note

Welcome back to farmers market season. And welcome back to Based in Lafayette’s newest feature.

• Support for this edition comes from the Haan Museum of Indiana Art, presenting the only Indiana visit for the Kennedy Center’s National Scrollathon on Monday, May 12, ahead of America’s 250^th birthday. Get details and sign up now.

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Welcome back to farmers market season (hello, West Lafayette, with your opening day today). And welcome back to Based in Lafayette’s newest feature.

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By Carol Bangert / For Based in Lafayette

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MAY KICKS OFF THE SEASON ON A HIGH NOTE

The mantra running through my head as I strolled into the Lafayette Farmers Market on Saturday was, “Pace yourself.” Bombarded by the colors and smells of spring, it would be easy to get lost in the array of produce beckoning winter-weary shoppers ready for farm-fresh fare, and I had to stop myself from filling my bags with more produce than we could consume at my house.

The kick-off of market season did not disappoint. In-season produce was beautifully displayed in booths tucked in between food vendors, crafts and vibrant arrangements of flowers, hanging baskets and perennials. But I digress. The produce selection was stunning in both variety and quality. This week I’m going to focus on two that stood out because of their unique flavors.

I’m talking microgreens and wild ramps.

Packed with nutrients, microgreens are a great addition to smoothies. (Photo: Carol Bangert)

Microgreens are the baby versions of vegetables, fruits and herbs that pack 10 to 40 times more nutrition than the grown-up version of the plant. Bear Fruit Farm had an impressive variety of microgreens, from cantaloupe and sunflower to basil and radishes. These little greens have a subtle yet distinct flavor and can be used in everything from salads to smoothies or as an addition to sandwiches. Chad Scott of Bear Fruit Farm says to treat the microgreens like lettuce – give them a quick rinse, pat dry and store in the fridge. They should last up to 10 days. The farm will have microgreens throughout the market season.

(Photo: Carol Bangert)

Around the corner at Fairstream Farms, Daniel Fagerstrom displayed an array of greens – arugula, bok choy, mustard greens, young kale – and deep red radishes, but the wild ramps caught my eye. Fagerstrom described ramps as “a delicacy in the allium family” that is usually harvested wild. Ramps can be used like onions in most recipes, and Fagerstrom suggests trying them in a pesto – use them in your favorite recipe in place of basil. The bunch I bought was used to finish off a stir fry, and the onion flavor was noticeable but not overpowering. Wild ramps are only available for a few weeks, so scoop them up while you can. Store in an airtight container in the fridge, and they’ll last about a week.

Ramps are members of the allium family and only around for a few weeks. (Photo: Carol Bangert)

Other early-May vegetables at the market include:

• Asparagus

• Red and green onions

• Parsnips

• Radishes

• Greens (kale, mustard, arugula)

• Select herbs (I spotted mint, oregano and thyme)

• Rhubarb

Though technically a vegetable, rhubarb is used as a fruit — in pies, jams and other baked goods. More in the next Market Report on rhubarb and asparagus, which (fingers crossed) may be joined by the season’s first strawberries.

MARKET DAYS/HOURS

• West Lafayette Farmers Market: 3:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, May through October. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the West Lafayette market. The market is held at Cumberland Park, 3065 N. Salisbury St., in West Lafayette with more than 50 vendors.

• Purdue Farmers Market: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays, May through October. The Purdue Farmers Market is held on the Memorial Mall on Purdue’s campus. This market is a concession-heavy market that allows students, faculty and staff to have lunch options in a unique outdoor setting.

• Lafayette Farmers Market: 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays, May through October, Fifth Street, between Columbia and Ferry streets; and Main Street, between Fourth and Sixth streets.

Carol Bangert has been a regular at Greater Lafayette farmers markets for more than 20 years. From May through October she’ll scout out in-season produce at the markets and report back on fresh finds and how to use them.

Support for this edition comes from the Haan Museum of Indiana Art, presenting the only Indiana visit for the Kennedy Center’s National Scrollathon on May 12, ahead of America’s 250^th birthday. Get details and sign up now.

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Tips, story ideas? I’m at davebangert1@gmail.com.