I haven’t been back to the new Trinity Bellwoods Market since the opening week, so I figured I’d go and check it out to see how it was progressing. Vendors and customers seem to be falling into a groove with locals stopping by their favourite booths to pick up goods and chat. The feeling is very much that of a small community gathering and there is still a bit of disorganization. A couple of vendors hadn’t arrived by the 3pm start time and there was some frantic running around with boxes and tents as customers waited to see the wares.

I could be wrong, but I also get the impression that many of the farmers participating are smaller co-operative types as opposed to the bigger farms and orchards typical at the City Hall and St. Lawrence markets. That’s not necessarily bad - or good - but it’s a very different vibe that I’m not quite sure what to do with. Or maybe it’s just that I’m not a regular here, preferring my beloved City Hall market or the Liberty Village market that makes for a quick walk and an excuse to pop into Atelier Thuet for croissants on a Sunday morning.

In any case, I came away with good swag.

Freskiw Farms - Kawartha had the first wild blueberries of the season. (Okay, not exactly true, I bought some at an organic greengrocer on Roncesvalles a couple of weeks ago, but the first I’ve seen at market). The lovely lady who sold me my berries indicated that the harvest had been poor so far, which might explain the lateness of their appearance, so hopefully the good weather holds out.

I also found zucchini flowers at 5 for $1 at Quinte Organic Farmers Co-op. I’ve never cooked these before, and I’m looking forward to trying them. Other interesting stuff included lamb’s quarters (the green) and purslane. Beets are in full harvest, as are tomatoes.

My swag included cheese from Monforte Dairy, olive bread (made from Peruvian olives!) and shortbread from Alchemy Baking, heirloom tomatoes from Plan B Organics, blueberries from Freskiw (which will be that Down East favourite, Blueberry Grunt, by the time this is published), and the zucchini flowers. No idea what I’m going to do with these yet, but apparently they’re lovely stuffed and fried. I guess I’ll find out.

As always, if you’re interested in taking part in the Market Basket column, send me an email with a photo of your market swag and we’ll put it on the Intarnets.