Kale-chi from Number 1 Sons

I've found a new summer love at our neighborhood farmers' market, 14th & U Farmers' Market. A pickle stand has arrived on the Saturday morning scene. (Making some amends for the sore loss of the mushroom vendor). Number 1 Sons, a family-run operation, offers a variety of barrel fermented favorites, including one I've never heard of before.

"What do you want pickled?"

Behold, kale-chi, a kimchi that features kale. What a great idea! Number 1 Sons' tumblr page asks, "What do you want pickled?" Kale is an awesome answer to that question because it is a nutritional rockstar. Kale-chi is a delightful take on classic kimchi. It's nice to have locally-made kimchi without fish sauce or shrimp in it too. This spicy, crunchy pickled dish is excellent as a condiment or eaten straight out of its tub. I even put it on my salads for kicks.

Kale-chi

Number 1 Sons' products are available at farmers' markets and in stores around DC and VA. I'm eager to try more of their offerings, including their kraut and salsa. Plus, the majority of their fermented foods are vegan. (The "Kimchi Cukes" do contain honey.)

14th and U Farmers' Market Haul

This weekend I made it to another local farmers' market: the 14th and U Farmers' Market. Located next to the Franklin D. Reeves Center municipal building, the market is on the bustling northwest corner of 14th Street and U Street NW. It is a stone's throw from the U Street Metro station's 13th Street entrance on the Green Line.

I visited this market a few years ago and my how it has grown. It used to be a few stands only. Now it rivals the Mt. Pleasant Farmers' Market as a mid-sized market and is packed with produce stands. Regrettably, this market happens at the same exact time as the Mt. Pleasant market, on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm. The U Street market is only scheduled to last until November 17th this year. So Mt. Pleasant has them beat on that front, as they are scheduled through December 22nd.

14th and U is a "producer-only" market, affiliated with the Bloomingdale Farmers' Market, another neighborhood market that I've frequented in the past. Both markets emphasize local, seasonal produce. You won't find any lemons that fell off the back of a truck. (I'm looking at you, Eastern Market.) The 14th and U market also has a mushroom stand.

For my market haul, I scored fresh, local greens (kale, arugula, and a mustard greens mix), garlic, onions, pears, apples, salad tomatoes, grapes, green peppers, and hot peppers. I haven't bought any winter squash or pumpkins yet this year but they are omnipresent. Maybe next week I'll finally take the plunge.