A Trip to Boston Public Market

 Zucchini and eggplant and squash, oh my! While there may be just a few more weeks left of summer, there is plenty of late summer produce left to be enjoyed before September ends! Before we left for Boston two weeks ago, our family garden was abounding with squash and tomatoes, and while it is unfortunately not practical for our dad to ship us garden fresh produce each week, New England happens to be full of fresh summer crops as well!

After a long first week of sophomore year, Hannah and I were very excited to venture into the city for a trip to one of Boston’s newest culinary destinations, Boston Public Market. BPM, which opened at the end of July, is a one of a kind spot for foodies of all types, from sustainability-supporters to chocoholics to pasta lovers. It is an indoor farmers market, operating year round, where over 35 local vendors showcase their locally-produced items ranging from handmade cheeses, organic produce, artisan donuts, local honey, Mexican stone-ground chocolate, spiced nuts and so much more.  

Produce from Siena Farms, Sudbury, MA

As we pulled open the door to the market, a whiff of homemade apple cider donuts lured us inside, where a local orchard was selling several varieties of apples along with homemade spiced cider. The warm scent of fall excited us for the months to come, though we are enjoying summer while it’s still here!

We sampled these "ground cherries," little tomatoes with a surprisingly sweet taste!

Browsing through the different aisles of the market, each lined with vendors offering samples of their unique creations, we couldn’t believe what amazing items the market had to offer. We visited several farm stands, where long tables teemed with rich purple Black Beauty eggplants, vibrant red tomatoes and bright orange carrots. Though it was all so tempting, Hannah and I decided to pick up a pint of fresh blueberries, lettuce from a local greenhouse farm, plenty of eggplant and summer squash, and a few ripe peaches (which we sampled and were incredibly sweet and juicy). Our friend, who had invited us along to the market, bought a pint of raspberries, a dozen eggs from an organic farm, and a grilled cheese for lunch made with a blend of cheeses from Jasper Hill Farm, which she noted was the best grilled cheese she had ever tasted. 

Fresh pasta from Nella Pasta

Though it has only been a little over a month since its opening, Boston Public Market has already become a favorite spot for locals and tourists of all ages. We are excited to watch it continue to grow, as well as to check out some of the programs it offers, which include free cooking classes and seminars, cookbook exchanges and other monthly events.  

Beautiful Fairy Tale eggplants!

While we miss our friends, family, and fresh produce back at home, selecting some local New England fruits and vegetables from the market was almost like picking them from our own backyard! Take advantage of the last few weeks of summer, and make sure to stock up on the last of summer’s produce while you can! I will be testing out a new Eggplant Parmesan recipe using the eggplant we picked up at the market, and I am excited to share it with you soon!

Enjoy,