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Spring Firsts: Farmer’s Markets and Fiddleheads

Published on May 25, 2015 By Emily. Updated on August 8, 2020

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This weekend I had the opportunity to do a couple of fun spring activities for the first time this year.  It’s hard to believe that it’s still spring, with all the warm weather we’ve been having, but my visit to the market made that very clear.

Pittsfield Common sign

Pittsfield Farmers Market on the Common 2015

I started my weekend with a trip to the Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market.  I wrote about the market last year, but I was especially excited to check it out in it’s new location – the market has moved from its previous home in a parking lot across the street to the beautiful Pittsfield Common.  The atmosphere is so much more spacious, upbeat and welcoming.  I could definitely see myself enjoying a picnic after shopping later this summer.

There were about 20 vendors at the market on Saturday, but the available produce made it very clear that we’re still early in the growing season.  As far as I could tell, there was arugula and micro-greens, but no real lettuce or other greens.  Everything looked great, but I wasn’t able to purchase the whole week’s worth of produce I’d been craving (I am dying for our CSA shares to resume).

Cricket Creek booth at the Pittsfield Farmers Market

Square Roots Farm sign at the Pittsfield Farmers MarketPlants for sale at the Pittsfield Farmers Market

Pittsfield Rye at the Pittsfield Farmers Market

Nevertheless, I didn’t leave empty handed.  I was thrilled to discover a vendor with asparagus, fiddlehead ferns and rhubarb. Can you get a selection more “springy” than that?  Brian talked me down to just two of the three and I left the market happy with asparagus and fiddleheads.

spring produce at the Pittsfield Farmers Market

I’d never made fiddleheads before, but Brian and I ordered them at Hops and Vines a couple weeks ago and they were amazing.  I started off by reading and following the guidelines on this page from UMaine, which my mother shared with me last year because she knows I’m the type of person who would cook fiddleheads. My fiddleheads weren’t nearly as impressive at the ones at Hops and Vines – mine ended up pretty soft – but they were good.  I’d make them again, if I’m lucky enough to stumble upon them at the market.

Simple Spring Fiddleheads

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Servings 2 side dish servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pint fresh fiddleheads scales removed and rinsed clean*
  • 3 cloves garlic crushed
  • 2 tablespoons total olive oil and/or butter
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • salt to taste
  • *More info on prepping fiddleheads here

Instructions
 

  • Fiddleheads have been connected to foodborne illnesses and must be pre-cooked before preparing them for eating. To do so, bring a small pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add the fiddleheads and cook for 15 minutes at a rolling boil.
  • After the fiddleheads are done boiling, drain them using a colander.
  • Meanwhile, heat the olive oil/butter in a medium sized skillet at medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
  • Add the fiddleheads and toss them in the hot oil/butter and garlic mixture. Add the lemon juice and salt. Toss to distribute the flavors evenly and serve.
  • Enjoy!

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Filed Under: places, recipe, side dish, vegetarian Tagged With: Berkshires, farmer's market, foraging, local, Pittsfield, sides, vegetarian

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Emily
Despite the cool temperatures and wet weather, we Despite the cool temperatures and wet weather, we had another fantastic year at @freshgrassfestival. I can never get over how, in addition to all the incredible music, the event features a great venue (@massmoca), delicious food from mostly local vendors, a great local beer tent and bar stocked with @berkshiremtdist and a kid-friendly atmosphere including a @kidspacemm art tent.
Shout-out to some of my favorite acts of the day @ajleebluesummit, @cj_field with @gregcaproni and @theblacklegacyproject.

Looking forward to next year!
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#WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #NorthAdams #NAmazing #FreshGrass #FreshGrassFestival #bluegrass #MassMoCA
I am literally weeks behind in my work life and my I am literally weeks behind in my work life and my blog posts, but I just hit publish on my end of August/beginning of September meal plans! Some blogging progress is better than none! Click the link below or visit my profile to see how we used these 2 CSA pick ups from @mightyfoodfarm.
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https://www.relishments.com/blog/august-slipped-away-csa-meal-plan-153/
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#MightyFoodFarm #EatLocal #EatSeasonal #VermontGrown #CSApickup #CSAshare  #KnowYourFarmerKnowYourFood #MenuPlanning #MealPlanning #igers413 #igers413_food #BerkshireFoodies
It's always a beautiful day at the @coastalmainebo It's always a beautiful day at the @coastalmainebotanicalgardens.
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#Maine #CoastalMaineBotanticalGardens #Boothbay
We made our annual trip to @thebistrobox in Great We made our annual trip to @thebistrobox in Great Barrington today, bringing along our 6 year old for the first time. 
Pictured: onion rings, pressed Cubano, BOX burger, raspberry mint iced tea/ (huge) side of fries, grilled hot dog, strawberry lemonade. Everything was delicious and my daughter especially enjoyed trying out the lawn games.
Until next year!
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#igers413_food
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #GreatBarrington #TheBistroBox
New on the blog: a list of everything I made for d New on the blog: a list of everything I made for dinner this week. A double @mightyfoodfarm CSA pick up plus hosting my in-laws for dinner resulted in me actually planning quality meals.
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Get the recipe links at https://www.relishments.com/blog/twice-as-good-csa-meal-plan-152/ or click the link in my profile.
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I had the opportunity to visit the Bridge of Flowe I had the opportunity to visit the Bridge of Flowers in Shelburne Falls this morning. It was as beautiful as I remembered and a great morning for hanging out with some friends.
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#igers413 #ShelbourneFalls #BridgeOfFlowers #WesternMass #WesternMA
Brian and I finally made it to @ the week before w Brian and I finally made it to @ the week before we went on vacation. I loved the atmosphere, decor, location and, of course, the beer. All eight beers we tasted were delicious and I'm looking forward to going back soon. 
More thoughts on the blog at the link in my profile or at https://www.relishments.com/blog/hot-plate-brewing-in-pittsfield/
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#PittsfieldMA #MassachusettsBrewery #igers413_food #igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #DrinkLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires
I made my first ever trip to @seconddropfarm in La I made my first ever trip to @seconddropfarm in Lanesborough this morning to pick blueberries with my daughter. We had a lovely time at the farm, and especially enjoyed the short walk to the lush blueberry bushes, and the beautiful flower and lavender fields. We didn't participate in pick-your-own flowers today, but it's definitely on my radar for the future.
We are looking forward to some muffin baking soon! 🫐
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#igers413_food
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #LanesboroughMA #SecondDropFarm #PickYourOwnBlueberries
It's good to be home, but we had a great time with It's good to be home, but we had a great time with Brian's side of the family in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina last week.
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#WrightsvilleBeach #NorthCarolina #WilmingtonNC
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