What fun it would be, I thought, to shop at the farmers’ market with a chef! I did so recently with Charlie Marshal (The Marshal).

We decided to meet at Union Square Greenmarket early one April Saturday morning. That market began with just a few farmers in 1976 and has grown to about 140 regional farmers, fishers and bakers selling their products four times a week. Charlie visits on Saturday mornings.

These farmers are like friends, as Charlie has been shopping at the market for ten years! His secrets: Charlie ordered ahead and gets wholesale prices; otherwise, he mentioned, he couldn’t afford to shop here and pass the costs to his customers.

Our first stop was unplanned when Charlie noticed some foraged wild ramps at Rick Bishop’s Sweet Mountain Berry Farm [Vegetables and potato chips from Sullivan County, NY], grabbing about 15 bunches to use in the restaurant for specials such as a ramp pizza. These ramps grow wild on the south-facing spring on the farm.

The next stop was Violet Hill Farm [Meats, poultry and eggs from Herkimer County, NY] for quail eggs, especially for his mother-in-law, who loves them pickled.

Next to Deep Mountain Maple [Maple syrup and candy from Orleans County, VT]  to get Lee’s maple marshmallows that Charlie uses in his S’mores. When needed, he also purchases their maple syrup by the gallon.

Mary Tonjes Tonjes Farm Dairy [Cows milk and cheese from Sullivan County, NY] had a 10-pound bag of whole milk ricotta ready for him.

For The Marshal’s short ribs, he picked up a gallon of Holy Schmitts [Fresh and prepared horseradish from Suffolk County, NY] beet-infused horseradish from Heather. He purchased their regular to use in his Bloody Marys and other recipes.

We stopped next at Hudson Valley Duck Farm [Heritage breed ducks and duck products from Sullivan County, NY], where Lewis helped us with their smoked duck breast that Charlie uses as an alternative to bacon and on pizza. He bought duck rillette for his personal use!  

Charlie selected a flat of hot house tomatoes from Phyllis at Shushan Valley Hydro [Hydroponic tomatoes and herbs from Washington County, NY]; he mentioned that he purchases these flavorful ones until tomatoes are in season.

Our last stop was at PetAl [Plants and flowers from Camden County, NJ]  for flats of fresh herbs for the window boxes on his outdoor structure.

This Union Square flagship Greenmarket is unparalleled with hundreds of items for sale, from just-picked fresh fruits and vegetables to heritage meats and farmstead cheeses, artisan breads, jams, pickles, wine, bourbon, ciders, maple syrup, fresh cut flowers and plants and much more.

Be sure to stop by the vendors and chat, and if you go to any of the ones that we did, say hi and tell them Charlie sent you.