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.
You’ll find all kinds of farm-fresh food (including cheese) at the Dane County Farmers’ Market on the Square.
Photo Credit: Sarah Landicho
Seasonally fresh food is the best part of shopping the markets.
Photo Credit: Sarah Landicho
Hello! Where else can you find grass-fed cheese?
Photo Credit: Sarah Landicho
Eating the food you buy is fun, too. (Three cheers for snap peas!)
Photo Credit: Sarah Landicho
Many booths offer organically grown fruits, vegetables and garden plants.
Photo Credit: Sarah Landicho
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.)
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.)
Round out your meal purchases with a host of different entrees – a variety of booths sell farm-raised, hormone-free chicken, beef and pork. And if you want something truly off-the-wall to surprise your dinner guests, pick up some emu or ostrich meat. (The kids will be amazed at the size of the eggs!)
Sweets for the sweet are everywhere, too. Last time we visited the market, we were able to limit our kids’ sugar intake to the honey sticks, but their eyes were just begging for the chocolate chip cookies, pies and sticky buns (and so much more…).
Like many farmers’ markets, nurseries also abound at Capitol Square. You can find all kinds of plants there – shrubs, perennials, annuals – everything from asters to zinnias. There are many bloomin’ beauties to add to your garden.
Need to take a break from the shopping? Simply stop and listen to one of the many musicians performing around the area; watch a balloon artist work his magic with the kids; or pull up a seat in the shady, grassy expanses around the capitol and sample the wares on the spot (which is always a good idea – then you can head back into the crowds and buy more of your favorites).
Being located right off the steps of the capitol is a treat to boot. Count the steps all the way to the top of the building, marvel at the architecture, and stop inside to soak in the beauty of it all (or just to cool off).
This farmers’ market truly offers something fun for the whole family! And it’s a great way to spend an early morning before you head off to enjoy the rest of the great activities and sights the marvelous city of Madison has to offer. (Now tell me, how do you like your cheese?)
