To market, to market to buy a fat pig...

Well, it's that time of year again. School's out and it's starting to get a little muggy. The days of open windows and cool morning breezes are dwindling. Pretty soon, we'll be sweating like pigs, and because of that unbearable humidity, forced to turn on the AC, stick our face in the freezer, and change our clothes at least twice a day. And you know what that means...it's summertime in Alabama!

Summer is also the time when the local farmer's markets begin to heat up. Throughout the summer, a plethora of fresh fruit and vegetables await you. Not many can resist the crunch of a fresh cucumber, the drip-drop of a juicy Chilton Co. peach, or the one of a kind taste of a garden tomato. Check your local listings to find out which markets are closest to you. Local Harvest, the Farmer's Market Authority, and the Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network websites are all good resources. Here are some of the market's we've visited in the last couple of weeks:

1. Tuscaloosa Farmer's Market, Tuscaloosa, AL
Location: intersection of Jack Warner Pkwy and Greensboro Ave.
When: Tues. and Sat. mornings 6am-until, May-October

Get there early! Some things sell out fast! On our first trip there last Saturday, there were potatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, greens, beets, onions, eggs, canned goods, and much more!

2. Homegrown Alabama Farmer's Market, Tuscaloosa, AL
Location: Canterbury Chapel, the corner of Hackberry Lane and 9th St.
When: Thurs. afternoons 3-6:30 pm, May-October

Located on the University of Alabama's campus, this is a brand new market that offers food, fun, and community. Among other things, the market features Miss Emily's hydroponic tomatoes, honey from Hewitt's Farm, and eggs from Northside Farm. For a complete list of vendors click here.

3. Pepper Place Saturday Market, Birmingham, AL
Location:2829 2nd Ave. S
When: Saturday mornings 7am-noon, May-September

In addition to lots and lots of farmer's booths, this market offers cooking demonstrations by area chefs, baked goods, coffee, and goods from local artisans. Some of our favorite purchases from this market have been: A big jar of homemade garlic dill pickles from Seven Winds Kitchen in Cullman Co., amazing goat cheeses from Bulger Creek Farm in Notasulga (they have both soft and hard goat cheese varieties), and the first nectarines of the season from Hudman Farms in Chilton Co. Our friends at Snow's Bend Farm in Tuscaloosa Co. also set up a booth at Pepper Place.

'Tis the season for fresh farm produce! So start your shoppin' now, before you miss out on any more of the good stuff!