Yes, there will be corn. However, some digging revealed that Schottman sweet corn, those guys from Effingham that have camped out in the Market’s Row 3 for corn season for most of recent memory, have been hit hard by the heat and drought this season. They might make it to the Market next weekend, MW is told, but it needs to rain. They do some irrigation, just like many of the Market’s other farmers, but they can’t get to everything, and it’s just not the same.
In any event, corn is still available at the Market, and now that it’s cooler and firing up your oven won’t be a total disaster, maybe you can work up this “Old-Fashioned Scalloped Corn” recipe MW found. Or something like it. Corn on the grill is fine, too, if it’s still too hot for ovens.
Market-goers will also see lettuces, cucumbers, chard, arugula, kohlrabi, mixed greens, spinach, green onions, broccoli, carrots, radishes, turnips, fresh and cured garlic, potatoes, a few surviving berries, zucchini and other summer squash, hydroponic tomatoes, field-grown heirloom tomatoes, and cherry tomatoes. The fresh-cut herbs are also amazing. There’s probably a ton of stuff MW has forgotten about, and there are always a few surprises. The Market’s vendors will also be serving up farm-raised meats, eggs, honey, goat cheese, goat milk gelato (they offer samples), scratch-made baked goods, and homemade jams and jellies. Cut flowers, hanging baskets, and bedding plants are also being sold.
Photography, textiles, stuff for your dog or cat, jewelry, upcycled clothing, wood items, derby stuff for your derby girl, soap, trinkets and doo-dads and whimsy … the Market will have all these and more on Saturday.
ONCE AGAIN: The City tent, where you can swipe your credit, debit, or LINK card for tokens to spend in the Market (don’t worry, everyone still accepts cash), is now located in the intersection of Walnut and High Streets — that’s the corner by Health Alliance, near the northwest entrance to the Market. They sell Market swag, too, like T-shirts and tote bags. As a result of this new location, there’ll no longer be through traffic there during Market hours to keep things safe for folks traveling on foot between the Market and various Lincoln Square businesses. The parking situation remains the same, too, with the same number of free public parking spaces available in Lincoln Square and south of Lincoln Square. Plenty of bike parking, too, for the two-wheel set — look west of the Market, in Lot 24 south of the Market, or all around Lincoln Square.
THIS WEEK’S MARKET WEATHER FORECAST: Partly sunny with a 7:00 a.m. start temperature in the high 60s, and a noon temperature approaching 80+ degrees. There’s a slight chance of rain, though no weather site wants to commit to a time of day for that slight chance. So it’s up to you. There are a million places on the internet to look at the weather, but you can click here for a forecast.
PAY A VISIT TO: The City tent to find out more about next weekend’s Sprouts at the Market event or the following weekend’s Art at the Market event. These FREE programs kick butt and totally deserve your support!
YOUR TASKS FOR THIS WEEKEND’S VISIT: Get a nice bouquet of flowers — or two — to jazz up your dwelling or desk. The sunflower stems are especially awesome. Quote a Tom Hanks line from a Tom Hanks movie at the Crave Truck and see what happens. Buy a tomato in a color you’ve never tried before. Take a photo or two (or more) of your favorite displays. Buy some Market Scratch for the friend who took care of your dog while you were gone, or your kid’s swimming teacher, or yourself!
THIS WEEK’S MARKET TIP: Those flowers you just bought? They need water. Bring a container of water in your car or on your bike (water bottle works great!) to have handy for your stems, especially if you have other errands to run.
Have questions? Desire more information? Check out the Market’s home on the web. Follow them on Facebook. Follow their Twitter and Pinterest feeds. You can also email the Market’s director, Lisa Bralts, or call or at (217) 384-2319 for more info.
Market #11 starts at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday and runs until noon. See you there!