Haymarket Season

Now that Boston has returned to fairly tolerable temperature I have started venturing back to the Haymarket on Fridays and Saturdays. Haymarket is Boston's largest open air fresh market. It has produce, fish, meats, cheeses, flowers and plenty of interesting folks. You'll hear about as many different languages going there as you can count on your fingers and toes.

Sure, organic isn't their highest priority and sometimes things are a little more than ripe but it is an experience I love. The colors, the faces, the smells, the shouting, the haggling; it's all a part of getting some local culture, snacks and inspiring a few meals. After a few weeks, you know which vendors aren't massholes and who will recommend what's super fresh. Many of them will let you sample and if you show up on a rainy day, you'll usually get double booty for the same price you normally would. You can't beat spending 9 dollars on 3 poblano peppers, 1lb of mushrooms, 3 large plantains, a pineapple, a huge bunch of fresh dill, strawberries, and grapes.  If you have a discerning eye and a genuine smile with the good natured vendors they'll treat you right.

Today, they were sampling out fresher than fresh oysters right there on the sidewalk with lemon wedges and all. Seriously. It was sunny, 72 and I am getting free oysters at the Haymarket?

Here are some photos I took:

Although, it does pain me to know that my $1 strawberries trekked all the way from California (and surely other just as convenient places with my other items). These vendors are not necessarily supporters of local producers unfortunately. Still, I can't help myself. It's fun, it's cheap and easy to find new ingredients for experimenting with in the kitchen.  

And no good day is complete without a visit to Anthropologie for the perfect bowl-colander for strawberries...

and then I made a sandwich. My only regret, not getting any avocado...

-a