Would You Like Some Cheese With That? (A Wisconsin Market)

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Sarah Landicho

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Photo Credit: Sarah Landicho

Many booths offer organically grown fruits, vegetables and garden plants.

Yes, I’m a Cheesehead. Despite the fact that my flatlander husband teases me about it every chance he gets, I see nothing wrong with it. I was born and raised in Wisconsin, and graduated from the UW-Madison (Go Bucky!). From the time I was knee-high to a grasshopper, one of my favorite family outings was heading to the Dane County Farmers’ Market on the Square. Of course, things have changed a bit since then – now there are more types of cheese – but much of this terrific market is the same as I remember.

Every Saturday morning from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., more than 300 vendors set up shop in booths surrounding the breathtakingly beautiful capitol building. You’ve gotta get there early for the best of the lot. (If you’re lucky, you can get your hands on some hot n’ spicy cheese bread still warm from the oven.)

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Photo Credit: Sarah Landicho

You’ll find all kinds of farm-fresh food (including cheese) at the Dane County Farmers’ Market on the Square.

Stop by one of the many cheese booths for an appetizer of “squeakilicious” cheese curds. (Take it from a Wisconsinite: The more they squeak, the fresher they are!) Deep fried and dipped in ketchup (a personal favorite), garlicky or herbed – or just plain and fresh outta the bag – you’ve gotta give ‘em a try. (After all, when in Rome…)

And don’t forget your fruits and veggies! This market’s got everything under the Midwestern sun – and much of it’s grown organically. Come early in the season for the cherries, or hit it in the fall for the apples. Fresh-picked strawberries, sugar snap peas, potatoes and string beans are real winners in our family. Farm-fresh corn can’t be beat, either – and neither can the juicy tomatoes or fresh greens. (We love the arugula.)

Facts

The market is held year-round every Saturday. From mid-April to early November, it’s held outside – rain or shine – around Capitol Square. (There’s a smaller farmers’ market held on an adjacent boulevard every Wednesday.) In winter, it moves indoors to different facilities.
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Tips

Bring a basket or bag to carry all of your goods home. If you forget, there are vendors who sell unique canvas bags, too.
Gotta use the bathroom or need to cool off? No worries. Head into the capitol building. It’s a pretty place to stop and rest – you can even take a tour.

Faqs

Q: Can I bring my dog?
A: Unfortunately, Fido needs to stay home – but you can bring him an ostrich leg bone souvenir that’ll keep him busy for hours…
Q: What else can I do in Madison?
A: What else can’t you do in Madison is a better question. Stroll along State Street and take a look inside the many boutiques, coffee houses, restaurants and bookstores. The street’s capped by the beautiful UW-Madison campus and the famous Memorial Union Terrace, which overlooks Lake Mendota. (Be sure to sample the homemade Babcock ice cream!) Don’t forget a trip over to the fantastic Olbrich Botanical Gardens at 3330 Atwood Ave.
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