Give Dad the gift of good grub!

This is the weekend we celebrate Dads. And we at the Chappaqua Farmers Market are eager to help. While (most) moms enjoy being taken out on the day they are fêted, in my experience, Dads don’t like to stray too far from the grill on their big day. With family members as grill assistants, natch.

That includes doing the food shopping. So what can you buy at the market for the Dad who was always ready to fix your bike chain (and remind you to wear a helmet), and always volunteered to walk the dog in the rain? Plenty.

The world is your oyster when it comes to protein picks for the grill. Why not try some sushi-grade tuna from Pura Vida Fishery and serve with some grilled bok choy with a sweet soy glaze? Letterbox Farm, R&M Farm and Goode & Local have everything from pork chops to chicken thighs, to burgers, cheese brats and thick juicy steaks. Take your pick!

You’ll want to grab the last asparagus of the season to throw on the grill. Make sure you get a little bit of char on those slender stalks. Our farmers are hoping for more sunshine and warmer temps this week so they can bring their first carrots to market. If they make it, halve them, douse them with oil and cumin, turmeric or Za’atar spices and toss them on the grill, too. If not, buy some spring onions and garlic scapes for grilling, especially tasty atop a grass-fed burger with brioche buns from Wave Hill Breads. 

Know what else you need for that burger? Gira’s Hot Sauce, or any one of the cool farm-to-bottle condiments from Channery Hill Farm. For a Father’s Day gift that will keep on giving...why not buy an assortment of their hand-crafted condiments like ramp pesto, or pumpkin tomato ketchup? And to elevate those burgers even more, consider gracing them with some sautéed mushrooms from Tivoli Farm. (If Dad is the adventurous type, pick up some of their slightly salty sea beans to add crunch to your spring slaw, to toss on a salad, or just to nosh on while he grills).

Jeff Rowe, at Orchard Hill Organics, reports that they will be bringing “the best broccoli any of us have ever tasted.” The Emerald Crown variety has very dense heads and a flavor balancing a subtle bitterness with sweet. Don’t be shy about throwing it on the grill, doused with oil and wrapped in foil, says Jeff. Ditto for their beautiful Tiara green cabbage.

Dad may need a beverage in hand while on grill watch. If you were lucky enough to pick up some vermouth from Klocke Estate last week, grab some rye from The Spirits Lab on Saturday to make a perfect batch of Manhattans. Or, make things easy on yourself and get a bottle of one of their pre-mixed Paper Plane cocktails. Or, grab dad's favorite healthy blend from Marlon at the Fairy Juice Bar.

If you’ve been pining for those Norwegian Baked crackers, to accompany your Bonnes Saveurs spreads or Second Mouse Cheese, you’ll be happy to know they are back this week for their once-monthly visit. (Stock up if you’re planning a graduation party next week!).

Mead Orchards will be bringing their first sweet cherries of the season. Doesn’t dad deserve this cherry olive oil cake from Zoë François, a baker I am currently obsessed with. Pick up your olive oil at Agape Premium EVOO, and while you’re there, do congratulate Tamara for recently getting her olive oil sommelier certification. Yes, it’s a thing!

If Dad has a yen for sweets, pick up some fancy caramels from La Petite Occasion, because Father’s Day is a “grande occasion.”

The Dough Nation pizza truck, Villa Emilia Empanadas and Grumpy Dumpling are all here this week, so make sure to carve out some time after your shop to enjoy lunch and tunes by Al Indig in the grassy heart of the market.

See you on Saturday!