August is here, and it’s brought with it the possibility of burning your hands on your steering wheel and warm water from the cold water tap. Ah, life in North Texas. About the only living thing that loves this heat is okra. You’ll find okra on just about every produce table at every market in town. If you’re not an okra fan, fear not. The variety at individual markets has suffered a bit, but you can still get every locally grown summer fruit and veggie you’d like. You just have to know where to go, and when to get there.
Celebration Farmers Market: Reeves Farm, Josh Heddin Farm, and Joy Farm will all be here Saturday. The list of available produce includes tomatoes (smaller varieties that are less heat sensitive as well as some unusual heirloom varieties), cucumbers, okra, squash, peppers, melons, corn on the cob, red beets and fresh hulled peas, some organic tomatoes, cucumbers, and white and black eggplant. As usual, Holleman Farms will have pastured eggs and whole chickens, as well as the ever-popular Red Wattle pork. Evidently, chickens get lazy with the laying in the heat. With hens laying fewer eggs, you’ll have to be up when the rooster crows if you want any. Come early! They’ll go fast.
Jump to locate your favorite local produce and artisan foods.
This laying hen says "If you think you're toasty on the way to your car, try giving birth in this heat." In a Pickle will be there this week with amazing spicy and sweet pickles and artisan jams. I was rather impressed with the rum peaches and cream jam I tasted weekend before last. Rumor has it they’ll have a blackberry mojito flavor this week, as well as the lemon and fig jam that is only available at farmers markets.
4515 W. Lovers Ln.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Coppell Farmers Market: Coppell’s favorite farmers are reporting a few peaches and berries are still hanging on in the heat and will be available to early market goers. Melons are sweet and plentiful still. While Cross Pecans usually carries (you guessed it) pecans, they’ve added frozen watermelon by the slice to help you stay cool. It’s almost worth the trip out there just for that. The list of fresh local veggies includes eggplant, corn, shelled peas (if you don’t see them, ask), tomatoes, herbs, potatoes, squash, and onions. It’s the first week of August and that means we’ll have a new cakeball flavor of the month from ARay of Cakes to look forward to. August will be Southern Pecan Pie month. Grapevine Grains has also added a chocolate flavor of granola to their lineup.
793 S. Coppell Rd.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Dallas Farmers Market: If you don’t remember the last time you had a frosty glass of sweet potato fly (or you have no idea what that is), you can learn to make your own in the August 8th Homemade Soda workshop. You’ll also learn to make some classic American favorites like root beer and ginger ale. Be sure to register by Monday, August 6th.
The AIWF cooking classes return to the market Saturday with a class on summer bistro cooking taught by Scott Gottlich, owner and executive chef of Bijoux. After just an hour and a half under his direction, invitations to your dinner parties will be coveted gems among the foodies in your social circle.
1010 S. Pearl Expressway
Daily, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Fairview Farms Marketplace has some things this week that are quickly becoming scarce elsewhere. Head out to Plano for some cherries, peaches and especially delicious beefsteak tomatoes. Beefsteak tomatoes are great for burgers since they’re so large, but don’t let them fool you if you’re making pasta sauce. Sure, each tomato has a great deal of meat, but the seeds are in tiny little pockets all throughout, which can make the two a real pain to separate. Israel Melons are especially sweet right now, and watermelons are still stealing the show.
3312 N. Central Expressway
Tuesday – Sunday , 8:00 a.m. – 9:00p.m.
St. Michaels Farmers Market: Pure Land Organics will have more of their great Rocky Ford melons and Sugar Baby watermelons. Also look for several varieties of peppers, including Hungarian Hot Wax peppers, and Golden Nugget tomatoes. Hudspeth Farm will have pastured and grass fed meats.
I’m a sucker for a pretzel. I fact, pretzels probably account for at least half of the bread in my diet. My new favorite twisted bread is the preservative-free pretzel bread from Tough Cookie Bakery. Most pretzel breads have a chewy texture. This one is soft and delicate and makes great sandwiches, or is fantastic as a table bread.
Stop and chat with Michael Hernandez of Corked in Texas. His father in-law owns Lone Oak Winery, but that isn’t the only wine he’ll carry. He established Corked in Texas to raise awareness of all Texas wineries, and he’s happy to chat with market patrons about what the Lone Star State has to offer in a wine, as well as do a little tasting with you.
8011 Douglas
8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Frisco Farmers Market: Little John’s, D-Barr Farms, and La Esperanza Farm are bringing okra and lots of it. Get the fryer out. Sadie B Foods will be back at the market this weekend with their great jerk and barbecue sauces. If you’re on the market for jewelry, check out Three Shadows Designs.
6048 Frisco Square Blvd.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Grapevine Farmers Market is the place to get tomatoes this weekend. They’ve got a pretty big stock of them coming from east Texas. They also have a few farmers promising a new crop of pickling and slicing cucumbers. Market Manager Jack Morehead says this is the time to stock up if you want to make homemade pickles. Sugar Queen Israel Melons will be available as well.
325 S. Main Street
Thursday – Saturday, 8:00 am – 4:00 p.m.
Four Seasons Market: La Esperanza Farms and Gilbert-Pruett Farm will be back with local fruits and veggies such as eggplant, onions, okra and corn. Cita’s will be there with all three flavors of rock-your-face-off salsa. They’ve got a level of heat for every palate. I only recently tried Lucido’s Pasta, and I have to tell you that after tasting their spinach angel hair and sun dried tomato linguine, I will probably never enjoy grocery store pasta again. The spinach pairs really well with tomato sauce, while the sun dried tomato was great with creamier sauces. You can find Lucido’s at almost every farmers market, but they’ll be here this weekend, without a doubt.
677 W. Campbell Rd.
Saturday, 9 :00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Grand Prairie Farmers Market: I just love a good pun, don’t you? This week’s market is themed “gettin’ figgy with it”. Whether you enjoy them grilled or made into preserves and spread over brie on crackers, there will be enough figs for everyone to stock up.
120 W. Main St.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
