This is part 3 of my Big Fat Union Square Greenmarket Survival Guide series, which will cover four categories: produce, protein, bakeries, and fruit. This week is the protein guide. Click here for the produce guide, and here for the bakery.
If you’re new to shopping at the farmers market, I always suggest starting with veggies: Compared to buying protein, they’re cheaper, lower-stakes, and easy to experiment with.
Let’s be frank: Protein at the farmers market can be expensive, especially if you don’t know how to (or where to) shop. So, for this week’s farmers market guide, let’s talk about my favorite protein (seafood, beef, pork, chicken, dairy, eggs, and tofu) options at the Union Square Greenmarket, including my most frequented vendors and the most affordable options.
(P.S., my fridge has been fixed, so expect my regular weekly meal plans to resume next week!)
American Pride Seafood
Before the farmers’ market, salmon was the only seafood I would cook at home. Now, thanks to American Pride, my diet is predominantly fish and shellfish.
Their winter scallops are the sweetest I’ve ever had, and their littleneck clams and mussels are my go-to weeknight dinner. They also carry varieties I rarely see at my neighborhood grocery stores, such as skate wing (I recommend going bone-in) and grey sole (one of my favorites). If you’re new to fish, I also recommend trying their mackerel, monkfish, tuna, or cod.
As for pricing, their whole fish is the most affordable option (whole sea bass is generally about $10 per pound). They also have live lobsters in late spring and summer, often priced at about $18 per pound, in addition to the cheapest oysters around, priced at either $10 or $12 for a dozen, depending on the day.
The folks are also friendly and knowledgeable, so be sure to ask for their recommendations on what you can eat raw. Nothing beats a market-fresh sashimi, crudo, or ceviche.
Like other Greenmarket vendors, they also offer TooGoodToGo bags on Wednesdays, which are typically a mix of shellfish and fish.
Price: $$ ($ through ToGoodToGo)
Days at USQ: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
Fishing practices: fresh, wild-caught in the southern New England area
GrowNYC updates its vendor list ahead of every market day. Be sure to check it for up-to-date vendor availability.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.