Pinch Summer Kickoff: Caught Snacking at the Farmers Market

Everyone’s officially hot and looking for an excuse to cool down and host. We’re kicking off Pinch Summer with a sunny stroll through one of our favorite spots in the city: the Union Square Farmers Market. It’s peak NYC with fresh produce, local vendors, and one-of-a-kind ingredients, all packed into a few city blocks. Stop by and snack on what's in season. Here's our current farmers market picks.

Herbs are personal, so lean into the flavors you love and already cook with. Our current summer favorites include: Sweet marjoram, lemon balm, dill, parsley, chives, mint, and lavender. We can practically taste a sweet corn salad topped with finely chopped chives... mouthwatering. Or a freshly minted mojito, if your the friend that "doesn't cook."

Pinch Tip: Heading to a friend’s place for apertivo? Skip the usual wine or flowers and bring a variety of fresh herbs bundled into a bouquet. Twine to tie is cute.

I. We've been doing crudités for over 40 years... Grab a colorful mix of cucumbers, carrots, radishes, and kohlrabi for your summer gathering. Chef Bob’s current favorite way to serve them is with a spicy kimchi sauce.

II. Break bread. It’s basically a rule: every farmers market trip needs a loaf of local bread. We suggest trying the toasted sesame wheat from She Wolf Bakery. Confession; you don't need to break bread with your gluten-free friend... they have crudités.

III. The only time of the year Union Square smells sweet... Wrap up your market morning snacking on fresh peak-season strawberries. Eating strawberries while strolling with a tote full of herbs, crudités, and fresh bread is the closest we'll ever be to pretending we own a farm.

Pinch Tip: Use the carrot tops to make salsa verde, and toss your radish tops into your salad. No food waste here!

There’s no better feeling than unpacking your farmers market haul and spreading out your treasures - on the dining table, kitchen counter, or let’s be real, any surface you can find (NYC problems, we know). Then comes fridge organization.

Reusing those blue paper market containers helps compartmentalize your shelves and makes your ingredients easy to spot. It’s like having your own mini market right inside the fridge!

Pinch Tip: To keep herbs fresh longer, wrap them in a damp paper towel and store them in the fridge.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself, hosting a dinner party, or just passing through, make a stop at your local farmers market this summer. Even if it’s just to snack on a strawberry and tear off a piece of fresh bread, it’s a delicious way to soak up the season.