Favorite Local Farmers Markets
Allison favorite is the PA Open Air Farmers Market has been doing its thing since 1974! It runs May through Nov, rain or shine, on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Farm Show parking lot. A group of 25-plus vendors includes farmers and producers offering fresh-picked produce, as well as European-style breads, wine, ice cream, cheese, homemade baked goods, pasture-raised meats, poultry, eggs and more. You can also find a bounty of Pennsylvania-grown native plants, perennials, annuals, herbs, and hanging baskets to help spruce up your garden. Troutman’s food truck provides hot food, which can be enjoyed at the picnic tables on-site or under a shady tree, picnic-style. Parking is always free for market customers. 2300 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg; (717) 512-4187
Christine skips the line at the farmers market and picks up her farm share from Spiral Path. She is loving all the fresh produce. Sprial Path is a 100% USDA certified organic family farm about 1 hr northwest of Harrisburg, PA. We have been committed to building the soil health and fertility here since 1978 and have been certified organic and offering CSA memberships since 1994!. We deliver our CSA shares on a weekly basis during our growing season: mid-April through December. We also grow/pack/ship organic wholesale produce to Wegmans. Check out something you can also do with Garlic Scapes that Christine is loving.
The Adams-Ricci Farmers Market takes off where the Farmers on Walnut in Camp Hill left off. The market has moved to Adams-Ricci Park in East Pennsboro Twp. with a new name. The season starts May 14. It will operate 3-7 p.m. Thursdays through Oct. 22.100 E. Penn Drive, East Pennsboro Twp., www.adamsriccifarmersmarket.org
The West Shore Farmers Market has been in existence since 1950 when Ray Garver Sr. opened it. Today, the eclectic mix of vendors includes Mid St8 Taco, Kepler's Seafood and S. Clyde Weaver Meats. Hours are 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m Friday and 8 a.m-2 p.m. Saturday. 900 Market St., Lemoyne, www.westshorefarmersmarket.com
Farmers in the Square is a seasonal market with its vendors living and working within a 50-mile radius. From May through November it operates outdoors in the square. It also operates a winter market. Hours are 3-7 p.m. Wednesdays. 2 N. Hanover St., Carlisle, www.farmersonthesquare.com
Broad Street Market a longtime market that operates in midtown Harrisburg in two separate buildings. Visitors will find pho soup, fried fish sandwiches, organic vegetables, bulk candy, burritos and coffee. Hours are 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Friday and 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.
1233 N. Third St., Harrisburg, broadstreetmarket.org
Scape Compound Butter
Scapes would make a lovely compound butter with a little lemon and maybe some fresh thyme. You could use the butter to make a tarted-up garlic bread, and I can't think of much (except maybe fruit—I do have some boundaries) that could be tossed on the grill but not finished with a nice slice of this melting goodness.