Saturday Morning at Soulard Market

It was Earth Day last weekend with celebrations about town. But I thought spending the morning with the areas locavores at Soulard Market worked better for me.

I love to go to Soulard Market! To write about its stalls stashed with fresh fruits and vegetables. To photograph the colorful produce and engage in small talk with vendors. To chit-chat with total strangers about what they’re buying and how they plan to cook it. So whenever one of my kids calls and asks if I want to go along on a Soulard shopping spree, I’m on board.

The Oldest Farmers’ Market West of the Mississippi

Soulard Market started in 1779 with farmers in horse drawn wagons gathering in a meadow to sell their excess produce. Today there are more than 140 vendors, selling everything from fruits to fennel to fiddlehead ferns.

The bustling city market is a cross-section of Americana. You’ll see shopper from all walks of life, browsing the stalls with a row of plastic sacks loaded on one arm, the other hand balancing a sweet roll, hot dog, or drink.

Allow a few trips to get familiar with the halls and passageways. Some sellers are simply known to buyers as the Cheese Man, the Fish Guy, or the Bakery Ladies. Use those terms and regulars will know who you mean.

Go Prepared

I invariable buy more than I intend. But how am I to know when the green beans will look snappy or the Brussels sprouts perfectly formed? So I go with an open mind—and wallet.

As Russ and I acquired more and more plastic bags, I regretted not bringing along the tote bags that my daughter, Robin, put in my car for just such occasions. At home, I even have a collapsible, canvas cart that, Sally, my upstairs neighbor gave me because she had three. It would’ve been perfect!

Undaunted, we struggled onward.

A shopper at Soulard Market explains to Russ how she plans to cook the jackfruit she just bought. She said the hard part was peeling it. Luckily, Russ did not add one of these to our load.

A description of jackfruit posted on a seller’s stand.

If you live in southeast Asia you might have a couple of jackfruit trees in your front yard. But you might not want to sit under them, because the fruit can weigh from 15-80 pounds. When unripe (green) the bulbous fruit has the texture of pulled pork. Some liken the flavor to artichoke hearts. But when fully ripened they become very sweet. The toasted seeds are also edible.

No ugly ducklings here. Sooo cute! Better for a pond than a pot.

Carefully weighing fresh fish.

Cleaning fish is an indelicate process best left to professionals.

Egg talk: “I’m so egg-cited! I’m about to come out of my shell!”

Russ recommended that I try this thick, flavorful bacon from Haar Family Farm in Illinois. And it’s great! I seldom eat bacon, but for a summer BLT, why not the best! I’ve also been pleased with their organically raised turkeys at Thanksgiving.

This vendor was from Israel and knowledgeable about fresh figs and raw chickpeas. She explained that both are very popular, but hard to get.

The so-called Cheese Man with his trademark suede hat. On another recommendation from Russ, I bought a sliver of Dutch Beemster, considered one of the classic cheeses of Holland. Good choice!

Asparagus bundles stand like miniature sheaves of wheat in a field.

Hmm. . . I see the makin’s of a lot of carrot cakes.

So few vegetables comes in such a variety of colors as sweet peppers.

Brussels sprouts and green beans. I’ve already cooked and eaten some of these green beans. Delish!

I was looking for fresh figs, but couldn’t find any yet. Russ said not to worry; the fig tree in his backyard was looking good.

Farmers’ Market Shopping Tips

Bring along tote bags or a collapsible cart on wheels—unlike I remembered to do this time.
Have small denomination bills in your pocket for easy access when making a purchase.
Talk to sellers about their produce and to persons buying something you don’t recognize.
Be open to trying new things.
Come early, especially if the market is small. Although at Soulard you can get some of the best deals towards the end of the sales day.
Go with someone who enjoys new cultural experiences. Or a child. Have fun.