There is nothing I love better than hitting a local market. Whenever possible, it's the first thing I do when traveling, and of course I am a devotee of our local farmer's markets and French markets. They say a lot about the culture and culinary traditions of the area. This season I am hoping to blog frequently about the markets in my area, focusing on simple recipes that will allow you to utilize what is currently available.

Unfortunately many of our local markets show that we are still fairly limited in our tastes. Most of the people I see at the Elmhurst market would much rather buy a perfect looking greenhouse-grown or imported tomato (It is NOT tomato season, people) than experiment with unusual seasonal produce. I remember the markets in New York and Boston brimming with fava beans, fiddlehead ferns, and ramps around this time of year. Those items can grow here too, but you won't be seeing them very much, at least not in the Western Suburban markets. I believe this is because most people would not buy them. The most exotic seasonal thing I saw today was the asparagus, green and (YAY!) purple, at Nichol's. Which brings me to why I love the folks from Nichols. They are the exception, and actually do bring unexpected items and new varieties of common items that really excite me as a chef.

Hopefully this year I can provide you with some recipes and tips that will help you reach for some new items at the markets, to expand your repertoire a bit, and get more and a greater variety of fresh fruits and veggies in your bellies.

In the meantime, you can get some wonderful starter plants for your garden. If your thumb is not especially green, they have done the hard work for you. The basil plants are worth buying even if you just immediately chop them up for pesto sauce or a salad. Way fresher than anything in a plastic container from the grocery store, and not any more expensive.