Despite this week's eternal rain, spring is here. So grab your reusable tote and fill it with rhubarb, pea shoots and broccoli rabe at one of these farmers markets this weekend.
Union Square Greenmarket: What began as a small gathering of farmers in 1976 now attracts more than 60,000 shoppers daily. This weekend, snap up broccoli rabe from Migliorelli Farm; stinging nettles and watercress from W. Rogowski Farm; and Bodhi Tree Farm’s young asparagus. Fans of maple syrup should stock up on the sticky sweet goodness from Deep Mountain Maple.Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 8am to 6pm (grownyc.org/unionsquaregreenmarket)
Eagle Street Rooftop Farm: The first seeds of this 6,000-square-foot organic vegetable farm, located on a Greenpoint warehouse roof, were planted in April 2009. While much of the produce is sold to restaurants and markets, the general public is welcome on Sundays. According to co-founder and head farmer Annie Novak, May is leaf season, so expect mustard greens and lettuces, as well as crispy French Breakfast and Cherry Belle radishes. Culinary herbs like chives, sage and oregano are also perfect for picking. This Sunday, there's also a plant sale by McEnroe Organic Farm and a free workshop on raising chickens. Sundays, 9am to 4pm44 Eagle St. (rooftopfarms.org)
Park Slope Farmers’ Market: Managed by Community Markets -- which will roll out 5 other outdoor locations in New York City starting next weekend -- this quaint, neighborhood market will be rife with asparagus, broccoli rabe, dandelion greens, Japanese turnips, pea shoots, ramps, spring garlic, onions, zucchini and strawberries this weekend. And if you’re also interested in preserving food, Community Markets was recently awarded a grant to promote canning and will host demonstrations at its Morningside Park location.5th Ave. and 4th St. (communitymarkets.biz)
Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket: After Union Square, this is the second-largest location under the Greenmarket umbrella -- and the largest in Brooklyn. On hand this weekend: rhubarb from Wilklow Orchards, arugula from Maxwell’s Farms, strawberries from Kernan Farm and a variety of hot pepper plants from Evolutionary Organics. (And grab an apple-cider doughnut from Tree-Licious Orchards to nosh on while you stroll.) Saturdays, 8am to 4pm(grownyc.org/grandarmygreenmarket)
Fulton Stall Market: You’ll need to wait a week to check out this South Street Seaport market, which opens May 29, but it promises to be worth it. Expect 19 varieties of cooking greens from Migliorelli Farm and rhubarb and apples from Red Jacket Orchards. And the artisanal ice cream sandwiches from the Coolhaus truck are worth the indulgence.Sundays, 10am to 4pmfultonstallmarket.com