Yes, there were strawberries at the market last week, though by the time I’d finally got myself there (noon) they were long gone. Lauren, the Greenpoint market manager, told me they’d been brought in by Red Jacket Orchards and that they’d been especially delicious.

She also told me to talk to the Jam Man, of B & B Jams, and to ask him about his marionberry jam. No, it’s not named for the former mayor of Washington D.C., it’s a berry bred in the Pacific Northwest from a cross between blackberries and raspberries.  Apparently it makes really tasty jam.  This is the first year that the Jam Man’s marionberry bushes have produced berries. He started them two years ago without really even knowing if they’d take to the Northeast’s climate. But take they did. Since this is their first berry-bearing year though, the crop will be limited.  The Jam Man says he’ll have marionberry jam next week for sure, but not for long after that. (Apologies to the Jam Man for the poor quality photo. I forgot to charge my camera’s battery, and so had to resort to my phone’s camera.)

As usual, I found something unusual: at the Osczepinski booth, as I was stepping up to pay for my gorgeous red spring onions, I saw a sign for horseradish greens. I did a double-take: yes, horseradish greens.  Next to me a woman reached for a bunch at the same time I did, and for the same reason: she’d never seen them before and couldn’t pass up the chance to try them. Her plans for them? She planned to add them to a gumbo she was making for a party. No doubt her guests got a real treat. As for mine, I’m thinking the peppery leaves will make an awfully good risotto. Mmm…

Coming up at the market this week: kale and rainbow chard from Garden of Eve, more strawberries from Red Jacket Orchards, Peas at Healthway Farms and snap peas at S&SO. There will also be an event in honor of Father’s Day. So bring your dad and get  your veggies!

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