Year Round Farmers Market

Farmers’ markets in the winter are a totally different scene than in the summer.

 

Anyone who has been to a farmers’ market over the past couple of months knows exactly what I’m talking about.

 

This weekend, after what seemed like endless rain in Sacramento, we had a sunny Saturday and Sunday. It was amazing and I took full advantage of the clear and warm weather by doing one of my favorite weekend activities.

 

I headed down to our Midtown Farmers’ Market.

 

For those not from Sacramento, or those Sacramentans that haven’t been, this farmers’ market is community favorite. It’s one of those markets that doesn’t only have amazing produce, but local food and retail vendors.

 

During the spring, summer, and fall the place is packed.

 

But on this Saturday in mid- February… not so much. I had free range to pick up anything I wanted and no wait at all to pay. This will definitely not be the case in a few weeks.

 

On Sunday, I got the itch to go to one of Sacramento’s largest farmers’ markets, located just south of downtown Sacramento.

 

This market is huge and has countless vendors selling all kinds of produce, meat, and cheeses.

And while there were a decent amount of people walking around, once again I had no lines and no booths had closed early because their produce had sold out (like you can experience in the middle of summer!).

 

So why are people less likely to go to farmers’ markets in the winter?

 

Well, besides the colder temps, I’m guessing it’s the produce selection.

Let’s be honest, it’s way more exciting to fill up your basket with huge strawberries than huge broccoli.

But I have to say, if you don’t check out the farmers’ markets in the winter you are really missing out. Over the weekend I found a ton of goods that I’m adding to my meal rotation this week.

 

Some highlights:

 

Blood oranges

For a pop of color and sweetness in my salad

 

Beets

For my morning smoothie. Yep, I have the Can’t Beet Me Smoothie every morning and it’s amazing. You can find the recipe in the Run Fast Eat Slow cookbook. Don’t have the book yet? They’ve also posted the recipe in Runner’s World Magazine.

 

Huge avocados

Hello avocado toast, avocado in my bone broth, and just avocado by itself because it’s that good.

 

Kale of all kinds

Don’t write off kale completely unless you’ve tried all the different options. And the options are countless. Colors, tastes, textures. There has to be one you’ll love!

 

Weird stuff you’d never experiment with in spring

Think of it as farmers’ market, Iron Chef style. That weird broccoli, that root vegetable that you’ve seriously never heard of, or the vendor that sells jams that you’d never stop at during the summer.

 

Load up your basket and give them a try.

 

Now is the time. Try new things, get a little creative! You might find your new obsession.

So don’t skip the farmers’ markets in the winter! There is a bounty of goodness ripe for the picking!