Cooky Cat: Ricky's Produce

5/23/21

Ricky's Produce

Early Morning set up at the market

That's Ricky!

Ricky's Produce is a farm in New Hampton, New York. It's in an uniquely fertile area in Orange County's famous "Black Dirt Region", where crops are grown in the natural black soil.

Ricky comes every weekend during the growing season to the Paterson New Jersey Farmers Market. We've become friends. He's a must-stop. They also have a farm stand at the farm. Look them up. Take a drive.

Ricky's Produce offers all the vegetables you would normally expect. Lettuces, Arugala, Cilantro, Dill, Endive, Potatoes, Onions, Corn, Squashes, Garlic, Scallions, Tomatoes, Broccoli, Peppers, Shallots, Parsley, Carrots, Beets, Spinach, Chard, Collard Greens, Mustard Greens, Asparagus, Fresh Mint, Escarole, Turnips, Kale, Spring Onions, Parsnips, Napa Cabbage, Broccoli Raab, Chamomile, Zucchini, Chilis, Cabbage, Eggplant, Pumpkins ... you get the picture: everything.

Just like the supermarket. But ... fresh out of the ground hours away. If you don't know the difference in terms of taste and nutrition such local fresh produce has, you're missing one of life's greatest benefits.

Also, in springtime, lots of potted plants and flowers for your home garden.

One particular treat ... Radishes. All kinds. Mountains of Radishes.

The Farmer's Best Helper

And, by "everything", we want to also mention all the rarely available vegetables and herbs, particularly those native to cuisines from around the world. Mexico, Middle East, and beyond. Things you don't ever see in the supermarket.

Daikon [Asian], Bitter Melon [Asian and India]. Jerusalem Artichokes. Mulukhiyah [from ancient Egypt]. Dandelion Greens. Callaloo [Carribean]. Epazote [Mexican]. Sorrel. Green Garlic. Garlic Scapes. Sheng Hai and Bok Choi [Chinese]. Zucchini Flowers. Nopales [Mexico]. Cuzzura [Italian — "Googootz"]. Purslane. Kohlrabi. Papalo [Mexico].

Shopping at Ricky's stand at the farmers market will almost always involve a discussion of what's that and what do you do with it. Ricky is always happy to explain.

Ricky is most generous. Offering to dig up a patch of wild-growing chives for us. Once, a handful of wild Horseradish which they don't sell, but growing along the road. Ricky is from Polish people. We once returned the favor with some Bison Grass from Poland for him to make Zubrowka at home.

Recently we came across yet another new item. The herb Huauzontle [Mexico]. You know how it is when you hear an unfamiliar word, especially one from another language. It took a bit of doing at the market to get it across to me. Then, some more doing to find the videos on horticulture and culinary uses posted below.

There was one other leafy green which we bought this morning. Quelites: Lamb’s Quarters* [Mexico/Old World origin — use like Spinach]