I went to an incredible market this weekend in New York. It was beautiful. The Union Square Green Market is notoriously popular with local NYC chefs (especially those that are following the farm to table movement) and the offerings are extravagantly abundant. Spectacular fall produce was everywhere, ogled by about ten thousand hungry shoppers. The market provides an outlet for local New York farmers and artisans; cheese, meat, wool, honey, wine, cider, vegetables, seafood, plants, pies, cakes… I’ll take one of everything, please. You can tell that the vegetables are grown on someone’s personal farm because they are giant and funky, not tiny and perfect. Oh man, everything was so gorgeous. We would have had a bizarre but delicious meal of market menagerie had we been home that night.
Later that night we had dinner at backforty, a little restaurant that touts a very seasonal market menu. We ordered a small plate that included the most sinful little chunk of pork belly browned in maple syrup, with a little salad on the side of caramelized radish, apple and peppers. WOW. Maybe I embarrassed myself by slurping the last drops of pork fat and maple syrup off the plate, but do you think I cared?
The pork belly came from Flying Pig Farms, which I saw at the market that morning. I also saw the plump little French radishes and the Hungarian peppers. I love that.
Be sure to click on the pictures to enlarge them; they are best enjoyed giant sized.
Awesome post. I have bookmarked and will continue to check in on you.
Ooh! A background for every day for the next three weeks! Looks gorgeous … and tasty …
These photos are great! Sometimes I realize I forget to stop and look around in my own environment. Also, where is the photo of the pork belly? mmmmmm, pork belly.
Yes! You are so fortunate to live in such a fabulous town! I took a picture of a little poster that was stuck to a wall in Brooklyn that said, “can’t afford to love NY.” SO TRUE. So glad that you stopped by. Keep coming back and please share with me what you guys are cooking and loving. I’ll send you some pics of Belgium. 🙂
I love that city. Your pictures are beautiful !!!!!!
Aww, man! What an amazing place! I want to go!
So glad that the sweet husband took you to NYC and gave you the trip we have told you about so many times 🙂
looking forward to seeing you soon!
xo
HH
Oh – how I love your optimism! Unfortunately, we were already in NYC for work and we stayed over for the weekend. I planned all of our free time.
I’m still waiting for that surprise trip where I don’t have to think about anything but show up and enjoy some thoughful planning.
Maybe for my 40th birthday? 😉
Love my husband anyway!
Lovely pics. The Flying Pig Farm is just about on the border of Vermont and about 3 hours of country roads south of us. I know I have heard of it and wouldn’t be surprised if some of the restaurants here used their product.
So glad you had a chance to spend some free time in the city. We are planning on a quick couple of days in NYC over Christmas.
Happy Holidays!
I have a new blog for you to look at when you have a sec. http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/ Enjoy!
We miss the blogidies
Ben – you are a gift. I leave for Costa Rica tomorrow, but as soon as I return I will post again! Thank you for encouraging me; it’s just what I needed.
Wow…I am in love with these pictures. 🙂 Soooo beautiful. I want to go right now! How is it that I love NY so much, but never heard of this. I can’t wait to go some day!