Farmer’s Markets… Gluten Free Finds!
Ivy UpperCrust Pastry stand this morning at the Daley Plaza Farmer's Market!
One of the things about May that I love the most is the opening of the Farmer’s Markets. Even though this month is busy with finishing school and all sorts of other things, I look forward to venturing back to the markets… hopeful for fresh produce grown locally and finding Gluten Free goodies. It can be a risk to buy from a vendor that provides products that are both gluten-free and gluten-full. So, I suggest that you do your shopping wisely and always ask lots of questions about how they prepare their foods. Most vendors are very interested in talking to you and enjoy receiving feedback.
Over the years, I have found one vendor who provides an excellent and safe gluten free product as much of her gluten free line is produced in a gluten free and nut free kitchen! Ivy UpperCrust Pastry was at the Daley Plaza Market last summer and she is back again this year, opening day for that market was today! Ivy is a Pastry chef with roots in Michigan, Chicago and New York city. She has been on the market and catering scene for some time now in Chicago and does not disappoint! You can find more reviews on her products at yelp.com. At her booth you will find gluten free goods such as: sandwich bread (yes! really good for toast too!!), carrot cake, chocolate cake, chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal cranberry cookies, energy bars, and graham crackers (perfect for s’mores). She also makes gluten free pie to order. Actually, you can place an order with her anytime or a standing weekly order and she will make sure your gluten free goodies are there when you arrive.
This year, she has a new sandwich bread made with sorghum, oats and millet that is so soft you do not even need to toast it first!! I will have to post a picture of that bread when I get a chance. She still has the popular Seeded Loaf as well. In addition, she is trying a gluten free scone. One of her most popular items on her gluten-full menu (besides the pies!) are her scones. How I longed to have something like that gluten free! Reality is finally here in a multi-grain version… a gluten free scone made with brown rice flour, sorghum, oats and buckwheat. So, I hope that you can find the time to check out her market stand this May.
Markets more local to me are the Geneva Green Market, also held on Thursdays in Geneva, Illinois, and the St. Charles Farmer’s Market, held on Fridays in St. Charles, Illinois. Both of these open in June. They are great for finding locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. I am hopeful to find some new goodies locally as well this year from either one of these great Farmers Markets. I will be sure to let you know when I do!
