Put Yourself in a Pickle This Winter

The tradition of pickling foods for preservation and flavor dates back thousands of years. The Greenmarket's stalwart winter vendors have these pungent goods in abundance. From beets and cucumbers to peppers and sauerkraut, pickles make great hostess gifts and add zest to any sandwich, burger, charcuterie plate, or bloody mary.

For curious cooks, try your hand at pickling the next time your favorite seasonal vegetables are available at your local Greenmarket. Both Ricks Picks and Wheelhouse Pickles were born in Brooklyn, proving you dont need a lot of space to create pickles with a lot of flavor and a long shelf life.

Michael Pollan and Dan Barber to speak at 92nd St Y this Tuesday

Acclaimed author Michael Pollan's recent book, "The Omnivore's Dilemma," spurred readers nationwide to seek out local food. This Tuesday January 8th he joins renowned chef Dan Barber of Blue Hill Restaurant for a delicious discussion at the 92nd Street Y called "Hedonistic, Healthy and Green: Can We Have It All?" moderated by Joan Dye Gussow, author of "This Organic Life."

Eat Local Year Round!

Many Greenmarkets stay open in the winter months, albeit with fewer vendors. There are many sumptuous foods waiting to grace your table and wow your taste buds, including squashes, root vegetables, maple syrups, cheeses, jams and jellies, meats, baked goods, eggs and milk, and, of course, tangy pickles. Show your farmers some love, come rain, snow, or shine.

See the Greenmarket schedule 

Featured Farmers: Elizabeth McCallister and Mark Gillman of Cato Corner Farm

Elizabeth McAllister has owned her Colchester, Connecticut, farm for more than 25 years, but only ventured into cheesemaking in 1997 as a way to keep her family farm sustainable. Her son Mark joined her in 1999, and just 10 years later, Cato Corner has become an award-winning producer of raw milk cheeses, including their signature stinky Hooligan, beloved by many of the "cheeseheads" who frequent the Greenmarkets. Their friendly Jersey cows graze freely, feeding on pasture grass, proving that happy cows really do make the best cheese. Cato Corner Farm sells more than 10 varieties of cheese. Visit their stand at Union Square, Ft.Greene (Brooklyn), and Grand Army Plaza (Brooklyn) on Saturdays to pick up all the fixings you need for a cheese plate that will please every palate.

Visit the Cato Corner Farm website.

Buy a Bag, Save the Earth!

Help the Greenmarket become an even more low-impact marketplace by buying one (or more!) of our attractive shopping bags. Theyre reusable, compact yet roomy, and priced at just $2 at the Manager's table.