Hamptons Epicure: Run, Don’t Walk, to Local Farmers Markets!
I’m writing a cookbook on East End farm-to-table meals with chef Bunnii Buglione. I thought we’d be off to a slow start in the springtime, but I was so wrong. Our local farmers markets and farmstands are bursting right now. If you seek, you will find local arugula, asparagus, baby lamb’s quarters, bamboo shoots, chervil, chives, cilantro, collard greens, lettuces and salad greens, leeks, garlic mustard, green garlic, hyssop, kale raab, mint, mushrooms, new potatoes, oregano, parsley, parsnips, pea shoots, radishes, rosemary, sage, savory, scallions, seafood, spinach and tarragon.
We’ve set ourselves the task of using as many local ingredients as possible in our recipes, trying to rely solely on what you can buy at farmers markets. The lack of a local source of oil can be tough, but veggies cook very nicely in fat rendered from Mecox Bay Dairy bacon. Of course we avail ourselves of all local wines, beers and spirits—for our recipes, not JUST by the glass. And everything tastes better with some Amagansett Sea Salt sprinkled on top.
Here’s where you might run into me stocking up on the best food on the East End:
SOUTH FORK
East Hampton Farmers Market
136 North Main Street
Fridays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Through September 2
Flanders Farm Fresh Youth Farmers Market
655 Flanders Road
Saturdays 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
July 2 – October 15
Hampton Bays Farmers Market
165 Ponquogue Avenue
Saturdays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Through September 3
Hayground School Farmers Market
151 Mitchells Lane, Bridgehampton
Fridays 3 p.m.– 6:30 p.m.
Through September 30
Montauk Farmers Market
Village Green, Center of Town
Thursdays, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
June 9 – September 1
Fridays, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
September 9 – September 30
Plus Saturday, October 8 (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
Sunday, October 9 (noon – 4 p.m.)
Sag Harbor Farmers Market
Bay and Burke Streets
Saturdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Through October 29
Southampton Farmers Market
25 Jobs Lane
Sundays, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Through October 9
Springs Farmers Market
780 Springs Fireplace Road
Saturdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Through September
Westhampton Beach Farmers Market
85 Mill Road
Saturdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Through November 26
NORTH FORK
Greenport Farmers Market
622 First Street
Saturdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Through October 8
North Fork Table & Inn
Farmers Market
57225 Main Road, Southold
Fridays 9 a.m. – noon
Through September 2
Riverhead Farmers Market
117 East Main Street/Parking lot
Saturdays 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Year-round
Shelter Island Farmers Market
16 South Ferry Road
Saturdays 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Through September 3
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