Tour of the Markets-Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market, Eau Claire, WI
This market tour is especially near to my heart as I have spent many Saturdays walking through this park, from the time there were just a few stands to watching new parking be formed to accommodate the large expansion. Instead of just a place to purchase your seasonal garden treats, this has become more of an experience, and instead of simply showing the seasonal produce, I feel it pertinent to walk you through a true ‘tour’ of the experience one has at Phoenix Park.
The setting of this market is nestled against the Eau Claire River, and starts with the beautiful view of one of the historical railroad bridges. Recently, this bridge went through a remarkable addition to include lights, celebrating everything from community events, holidays, or simply an ambiance for a stroll along the river. If you find yourself in Eau Claire after dusk, this would be worth the drive to see! (Eau Claire Rotary Lights).
Along the river, there are gorgeous pathways leading not only to the park but around town. Allow extra time when coming to the market to take a stroll around the area and see the views before filling your bags with goodies!
I’ve had my fair share of ‘welcoming committees’ but this market typically takes the cake! With the path leading right to a natural bandstand, you will be greeted by a variety of bands, typically a few different groups throughout the day, catering to various age groups. This picture doesn’t capture the seating, but you will find large stones placed amongst a half circle surrounding, that provide a great place to take a break from your stroll, or sit and enjoy with your family. Dancing is always encouraged!
Many Saturdays, in addition to the produce market, you will find a vendor fair. This has continued to grow each year and brings a wide range of arts and craft from all over the area.
The Eau Claire market is the largest in the greater area and as such, is the central pull from many smaller town vendors. It is not uncommon to find homemade soaps, jewelry, pottery, weavings, and many others.
In addition to local crafters, you will often find many small business that bring out some of their art, and a great chance to learn more about what Eau Claire has to offer outside of the park.
There are a few traditions that this market has that are almost as iconic as the market itself. Every time I start to enter the park, there are two things that tell me I’ve made it. First, a ridiculously long line that makes me wonder if there are tickets needed somewhere I don’t know about. Upon further investigation, he is here. The balloon man. For years, That’s Adorable has provided balloon creations for the children (I bet adults too if you ask nicely). I have never been here where the line has not been 20 people deep for this local wizard of the balloon. Worth a visit, a kind hello, and a friendly tip.
The second way you will know you have arrived is the smell of the caramel corn. You can smell this almost from the bridge and greeting you just before you enter the produce market, this corn will turn even the best intentioned healthy eater into a believer (but if you feel guilty, they offer child sized bags too).
Many years ago, Eau Claire constructed this pavilion, which explains many reasons why it draws such a large radius of both visitors and vendors, as it provides more shelter than most from weather.
It seems a little out of character to write about a food truck while discussing produce (but it’s a food blog, so I feel everything goes!), but I cannot give the tour without mentioning this truck. Tucked in a side street a few blocks up the road, this truck comes from a local restaurant that has been in business almost as long as the town has been alive, and knows a thing or two about making egg rolls (my personal recommendation-get an egg roll and a fresh spring roll, both sauces, and go listen to some music for a post-market siesta).
The produce is ready in abundance, waiting for me with table after table of the most radiant red and green colors, and many venders to choose from. It’s nice to take a full lap and then go back to pick out my selections.
With so many to choose from, I find it quite tough to leave here with only a few ingredients, so if I have more recipes this week….more to share 🙂
Not only is the produce fantastic, but the flowers are second to none. Coming around the corner, you trade in the smell of the caramel corn for the wafting fragrance of the bouquets, so fresh that typically you see a farmer behind the booth making them frantically to keep up.
Not only do I find these to be some of the most fresh flowers around, but the bouquets are huge! Worth grabbing a bunch in addition to your produce, and spreading them all over your house! (or just buy a few 🙂 )
Added bonus here, as you corner around this large, square pavilion, you are once again greeted by live music, often rotating bands as well (it’s not uncommon for there to be side musicians tucked throughout the grass). After your walk through the flowers, it’s hard to not find yourself with a smile or tap of the foot here.
On the outskirts of the markets there are the larger flower pots and hanging baskets. These range from the traditional hanging baskets to large pots of grasses, and a variety of succulents.
All in all, with your bag full of not only produce, but baked goods, canned goods, and handful of flowers, this is hardly your traditional market and worth the trip to this large yet quaint town. While still a smaller metropolis, Eau Claire is anything but and provides the offerings that rival any larger city’s market that I’ve been too without the big city traffic.
The first ingredient that I picked was the radish. This is so prevalent this time of year and also so versatile. While I never was drawn to the radish originally because of the bitter taste right away, after learning a bit more about how to cook with them, it is a fabulous substitute for many carb dishes, and a great pop of color for garnish.
Check out these radish forward recipes and I’d love to hear feedback if you try them!
Creamed Radish Greens with Dijon Swiss Sauce
Grilled Barramundi with Radish Cilantro Salsa
This was a fun little bonus ingredient for me! Due to the small quantity, I just tried out one new recipe, but had a lot of fun doing it! I was pleasantly surprised just how true to flavor profile these were, and was trying to use the essence of fruit in the dish without overpowering the green, but tough when they are so gentle (after photo in the recipe, I added more greens and the flavor did pull forward).
Cantaloupe Microgreen Salad with a Blackberry Balsamic Reduction
Kohlrabi was fun for me because it was not ‘new’, although I had my select few ways to use it, most of them being raw form. I was determined to not use raw for this challenge, but, being left in the dark with what they bring for flavor when cooked brought the challenge. In both of these recipes below, the kohlrabi picked up the flavor from the other ingredients more than bring its own to the table, so it was still the ‘star’ ingredient, despite being a supporting roll in flavor. I fully enjoyed trying these out. Be careful with your knife-their skin is quite tough!
Kohlrabi and Carrot Fritters with a Cilantro Lemon Sauce
Sautéed Kohlrabi with Creamy Parmesan Sauce
What a fun journey this brought, with tons of produce (I tried to stay to the challenge ingredients but may have overstocked the fridge a bit…)! I find half of the fun, or more, of checking out these markets has nothing to do with what comes home with me, but the experience while there. Maybe just in my head, but I think it’s hard to be in a bad mood when buying delicious produce and beautiful flowers, and I usually end up making enjoyable conversation along the way.
If you like these blogs or recipes (take these as inspiration-my kitchen is a trial and error style), please follow along on the website, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest, and the best compliment is to share with others!
Thanks for tagging along on this journey!
Hannah (your fearless culinary visionairre)
