Can't make a farmers market? Consider Farm Fresh Daily Market

Last update: July 22, 2009 - 2:23 PM

Can't make it to the farmers market? Consider becoming a regular at Farm Fresh Daily Market, which Tangletown Gardens co-owners Dean Engelmann and Scott Endres recently debuted at their enchanting south Minneapolis gardening oasis. "I love farmers markets, but they're often only on the weekends, when I'm working, or else they're just one day a week, and that's not enough for me," said Endres. "We want people to come here seven days a week."

The green-thumbed duo are doing their best to make that wish a reality, stocking just-picked produce cultivated on Engelmann's family farm in Plato, Minn., and emphasizing wide selection, impressive quality and more-than-competitive prices.

When I dropped by last week, the ogle-worthy bounty made it difficult to zero in on a favorite. Was it the oblong radishes with their in-your-face flavor? The quirky purple kohlrabi? The gorgeous, off-the-beaten-path salad greens? The plus-size zucchini? The dozen or more fragrant herbs?

I finally went with the All Red potatoes ($2 per box), an heirloom that boasts cranberry-tinted skins, unusual pale pink flesh and faintly buttery taste. Their low-starch content makes them ideal boilers for salads, and they're one of 15 heirloom potato varieties that Engelmann and Endres are growing this year. "The local food movement is contagious," said Endres. "We've always grown our own food, and we feel that it's an important philosophy of eating. We want to share that."

RICK NELSON

Tangletown Gardens, 5353 Nicollet Av. S., Minneapolis, www.tangletowngardens.com. Open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The store's fourth annual Garden and Art Tour event on Saturday culminates with a party at 7 p.m., showcasing produce sold at the store and prepared by Corner Table chef/owner Scott Pampuch. Reservations are $20 ($25 on Saturday); call 612-822-4769.

Find potato recipes at Table Talk, the Taste food and restaurants blog, at startribune.com/tabletalk.