Grown In Connecticut

All the fixings for a fruit salad should be available at markets this week, according to Rick Macsuga of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.

"I did see my first cantaloupe, or what we call musk melon," he said. "Just think of regular cantaloupe from the grocery store on steroids." 

Macsuga said the Connecticut melon is bigger with a ridged outside instead of a textured webbed rind and that it is "fragrant with a really strong, sweet smell…and it's a very flavorful splash of flavor."

Blueberries, peaches and nectarines are widely available and a special variety of strawberry is available in some markets. Macsuga said the strawberry season ends in June but a couple of farmers in the state have grown a summer strawberry that will be around for a few more weeks. Macsuga said pears will make an appearance in some markets this week as well.

Macsuga said the "peppers are coming into their own," and that all shapes, sizes, colors, and heat indexes will be available through August. He said peppers ranging from very mild to very, very hot are abundant and "to know your peppers before you pick them."

Also fresh this week:

Green beans

Beets

Blueberries

Cabbages: savoy, green, red

Eggplant: tons of different varieties

Carrots

Kale

Collard greens

Swiss chard

Nectarines

Peaches

Pears

Squash: all types in great numbers.

Sweet corn

Tomatoes: heirlooms, cherry, grape, plum, pear

Potatoes

Peppers: all varieties and heat indexes

Where to find them:

The Old Saybrook Farmers’ Market is on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 210 Main Street. www.oldsaybrookfarmersmarket.com, WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted, SNAP/EBT. 

The Westbrook Farmers’ Market is on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Flat Rock Place in the Tanger Outlet Center. WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted.

Madison Farmers' Market is on Friday, from 3 to 6 p.m. on the Madison Town Green near 27 Meetinghouse Lane. WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted. Check the Madison Farmer's Market Facebook page for more. 

Dudley Farmers’ Market is on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 2351 Durham Road in North Guilford. 

The Chester Sunday Farmers’ Market is on Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Town Center. www.chestersundaymarket.com