By Kate Abbott
Photographs by Stephanie Zollshan
great barrington farmers market
WITH BRIAN CRUEY & MATT KING
As general manager of the Gilded Age estate Naumkeag, in Stockbridge, and a gardener himself, Brian Cruey knows about growing things. As someone who loves to cook with his husband, Matt King, a tech industry lawyer and board member of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, he appreciates the freshest ingredients. And as people who love to entertain friends and family at their home in Otis, they often start the weekend with a trip to the farmers market.
“We’re always on the go in the summer, always entertaining,” said Brian. “So it’s good to have things we can put out easily.” On this midsummer day, with Matt’s mom visiting, they’re picking up components for a cheese and charcuterie board—and something sweet for their guest, as well.
18 Church Street
Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
greatbarringtonfarmersmarket.org
“I pick up flowers everywhere I go. It’s such an easy way to brighten things up and add some variety to what we see every day.”
Brian
Brian & Matt’s Haul
- Charcutier’s Reserve Salami, Jacuterie The pork for these products comes from the maker’s family farm, Herondale Farm, in Ancramdale, N.Y. jacuterie.com
- Jelly and Preserves, Les Collines Flavors like Meyer Lemon Rosemary and Scots Bitter are for more than toast—they’re great with cheese, in marinades, and even in cocktails. thelifeipicked.com
- Maple Pecans, Justamere Tree Farm A sweet snack from a women owned maple business that runs on clean, renewable energy. justameretreefarm.com
- Hampton Lettuce, Indian Line Farm The lettuce will go out with the cheese, salami, and bread for mini DIY sandwiches. indianlinefarm.com
- Spanish Daikon Kimchi, Common Hands Farm “I like to put kimchi on a charcuterie board. And often, we’ll make a big thing of rice and put an egg and kimchi on top,” said Brian. commonhandscsa.com
- Cheese from Chaseholm Farm Creamery “I often start with cheese, because there are usually samples and then you don’t shop so hungry!” said Brian. cfcreamery.com
- Flowers, Markristo Farm This Hillsdale farm also offers organic vegetables, and bedding plants, and they work to support the ideals of a local food system. markristofarm.com
- Baked goods, Pastries by Hanna Craft donuts are the specialty here (they may not have even made it home from the market!). pastriesbyhanna.com
williamstown farmers market
WITH FARAH MOMEN
Farah Momen sees her restaurant as an open community space. An award-winning chef and season 1 cast member of “Top Chef Amateurs,” she and her husband, Matthew Trisic, own Bondhu, offering global fusion in New Ashford. Fittingly, in the Bengali language, bondhu means friend. They have an eclectic roster of themed dinners coming up this summer and fall, and have just opened their doors as a casual café on Thursday afternoons, a spot to work or relax over coffee. And they serve brunch on Sundays—for that, Farah will often shop at a local market on Saturday to find just the right ingredients for her menu. She blends Bangla cooking traditions with those from other parts of the world. This week, it’s Italy. She’s looking for basil and tomatoes.
Spring Street Municipal Parking Lot
Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
williamstownfarmersmarket.org
“It’s beautiful to come to a farmers market in summer. It’s fun and flexible. Bondhu changes the menu every week, so we can be playful with what we’re making.”
Farah
Farah’s Haul
- Fresh mozzarella, R&G Cheese Makers This find from the Troy, N.Y, cheesemaker adds a traditional Italian note. Facebook: R&G Cheese Makers
- Honey, Musante Farm “I’ll have honey on a bread board,” said Farah, who is planning to make focaccia and naan. musantefarm.com
- Produce: Big Foot, Starry Ridge, and Peace Valley Farms Farah bought lettuces from Peace Valley Farms, summer squash for a frittata, and cherry tomatoes for eggs for in purgatory—they would be poached velvety in homemade tomato sauce. She chooses kale from Big Foot Farm and cucumbers for salad from Starry Ridge. “The salad needs more color,” she said, looking to Big Foot for beets. bigfootlikesfarming.com @starryridgefarm
- Comfrey CBD Salve, Imperfectly Purple Farah picks up this salve to soothe sore shoulders after a long day in the kitchen. @imperfectlypurple
copake hillsdale farmers market
WITH DAN PELOSI
The author of The New York Times bestseller “Let’s Eat: 101 Recipes to Fill Your Heart and Home,” Dan Pelosi is walking through the Copake Hillsdale Farmers Market. As Instagram favorite @grossypelosi, he became known in the pandemic as a home cook celebrating family. “My mom’s coming for dinner tonight,” he said. He is looking for tomatoes and fresh basil, hoping to test out a recipe. He is thinking of her favorites, and his partner, Gus, and the neighbor who has kept an eye on their house.
But his plans for dinner are flexible—when he comes to a farmers market, he comes open to surprises. In high summer, he may find new ideas ripe and in season every week, sometimes every few days.
9140 State Route 22
Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
copakehillsdalefarmersmarket.com
“In summer, a meal can be simple, because the flavors speak for themselves.”
Dan
Dan’s Haul
- Tomatoes and Beans, Common Hands Farm “You hardly have to do anything to such fresh ingredients,” said Dan. commonhandscsa.com
- Eggplant and Zucchini, Markristo Farm “I don’t marinade them before I grill,” said Dan. “But I do after, because when the vegetables are hot, they absorb the flavors more.” markristofarm.com
- Taralli with Fennel Seeds, Pogliani Select This vendor has imported olive oils and vinegars as well as Italian foods like these crunchy crackers. @poglianiselect
- Pickles, Corona D’oro Known for their pestos, this purveyor also offers pickles—and lemonade, which Dan enjoyed on this hot July morning. coronadoropesto.com
- Cherries, Hickory Creek Farm “The best summer dessert,” Dan said. “Cherries over ice.” hickorycreekent.com
- Breakfast Sausage, Graylight Farm “They have my favorite breakfast sandwich too,” said Pelosi. “They sell out, so I get here right on time to get one.” graylightfarm.com
