The Bounty of the Parking Garage

Despite the impressive array of parks and wide-open green spaces on my new home, Roosevelt Island, the Saturday morning farmer's market is held under the parking garage next to the bridge from Queens. I suppose it keeps people coming and supporting local agriculture whether rain or shine, although the concrete expanses hardly suggest freshness. (I suppose it's actually quite rural by New York standards.) Nonetheless, I am excited to sample some fresh produce and try out some new recipes with the goodies.

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I really love the taste of asparagus, and how fun are those stalks to nibble on? Combine asparagus with cherry or heirloom tomatoes for a simple salad with vinaigrette dressing. Try this Asparagus Vinaigrette with your farmer's market purchases. Do feast your eyes on this amazing picture and recipe from Heidi Swanson at 101 Cookbooks for Ten Minute Tasty Asparagus and Brown Rice.

Other items available at the end of Spring and early summer include new potatoes and fennel. For a decidedly different salad, try the New Potato, Fennel, and Radish Salad. I like to stand lettuce leaves around the side of the bowl for decoration. Belgain endive adds a dramatic touch with it's long, thin leaves.

And for something sweet with those ripe strawberries from the market, I would recommend a truly unique dessert with ice cream, strawberries, and a sweet, citrus port sauce. I'm going to make this Strawberries Arnaud for a dinner party this Sunday.

Photo Compliments of Flickr, Northcountry Boy.