On the first Saturday at the Downtown Farmers’ Market, I expected to have a quiet, peaceful morning to check out all of the hardcore vendors who make it out for opening day. Surprisingly, I was met with a packed farmer’s market, filled with people who couldn’t wait to enjoy the season.

Those who turned out were rewarded well: the market was packed with vendors, and I even found homegrown spinach from Britt’s Farm in Manhattan. (Don’t tell anyone, but while playing around on the Internet I found out that Britt’s should have asparagus this Saturday at the Downtown Farmers’ Market. A little earlier than expected and I want it all for myself!)

This year, I will be stopping by a different vendor each week to find out what they have to sell us, and why we should by it. Last week, I stopped by a vendor I hadn’t heard of before: Kim’s Shake and Shake’s Sauce. Kerrice Mapes, owner/publisher of seveneightfive, made the suggestion after hitting up the market bright and early.

So I heard Kim’s sauce was amazing before I even got out of bed.

After moseying about halfway down the North aisle of the market, I found a young man under a tent with two tables: one lined with bottles of homemade sauce, the other with a container full of salad mix, open bottles of sauce, bowls, and forks. Yes, Kim encourages you to try out different salad dressings before buying one (or five) bottles. I tested two different Shake and Shake’s sauces: Spicy Japanese Ginger Salad Dressing (oil-based) and Japanese Ginger Salad Dressing (vegetable-based). My favorite was the vegetable-based Japanese Ginger Salad Dressing. It has a creamy, rich ginger flavor that complements the greens of the spring season perfectly. Kim also sells Japanese Style Mustard sauce, Teriyaki Sauce, and Sandwich Sauce.

As I was tasting Kim’s sauces, one of his regular customers stopped by, bought two bottles, and informed me, “I could drink these.”

Kim will be at the market every Saturday, but make sure you stop by for a taste early, before he runs out.

 

Follow Larissa all season as she highlights local vendors and keeps us up-to-date on what to look for and when in her Farmers’ Market Grab Bag blog.

[photos by EJ Drake]