What’s your favorite thing you’ve tried at the market?

Are you going to the Statehouse Market Thursday? I am. Of course I’m there every week, trying new, fresh produce and sampling some of the great dishes and treats from Indy’s top food trucks.

• View the market vendors for August 15

I’m by no means a food critic, but if you’re new to the market maybe you don’t know what to expect or what to try. We all have different tastes, but I can tell you from my experience I’ve yet to be disappointed when trying something new from our vendors. From Indian food to actually eating and enjoying eggplants, every week I aim to try something new.

For the rest of the season, I’ll be highlighting some of my favorite things about the market. But that’s not all — I want to hear from you too. Tell me what you like about the market or thing food you’ve tried and I’ll share on the blog each week. Share a recipe you make with something you bought at the market and we’ll post it on the website (While you’re at it join the State Employee Healthy Recipe Contest and you may win a FitBit Zip).

Here are a few of things I’ve had so far this season at the market and suggest you try too!

• I had an Asian pear from Wilson Farm last week, usually posted up on Senate Avenue. I can’t remember the last time I had a fresh pear and it was delicious. That’s probably my first stop this week. David Wilson told me he’s bringing five more varieties this season.
• I eat a Nicey Treat every week. Let’s be honest, sometimes I eat two or three. These fresh, low-calorie frozen pops are to die for. I’m a general in the Nicey Army outside of work. My favorite flavors so far this season have been the Roasted Sweet Corn, Peaches and Cream and the Nice Dream. What’s your favorite Nicey?
• I am embarrassed to admit, there was a time in my late twenties that I had no idea what an eggplant was. I’m sorry eggs come from chickens, not plants. This vegetable took some time to grow on me, but I’ve actually grown to crave the Eggplant Parmesan my wife makes. Get eggplants from Bryant Farm, VanAntwerp Farm Market, Posey & Pumpkin and others. Bryant Farm even has the smaller Asian variety. Yum!
• I’m still thinking about the Swedish Meatball Banh Mi Sandwich I ate from Pho Mi food truck last week.  The meatballs were perfect served on a baguette with all of these toppings I’ve never had mixed together. It was topped with cucumber, pickled carrots, dikon, cilantro, jalapeno and mayo. It smelled fantastic and tasted even better. I skipped the chips because this sandwich was a meal by itself. Pho Mi’s sister truck, Taco Lassi, is here Aug. 15.
• My experience with Indian food is split into two time periods of my life: Before Spice Box and After Spice Box. Before Spice Box, I think I ate at an Indian buffet once in 2007. It was a fine buffet and I was probably stuffed. It wasn’t that memorable. Then I had Spice Box in 2012. Then I hunted them on the streets and found out they have many stalkers. Nonetheless, the 10 minute wait for food is so worth it! If you haven’t tried Indian food before some of the entrées can be a little spicy, but just ask the folks in the truck about what’s spicy and what isn’t. I prefer the Bollywood Box that comes with an entrée (Butter Chicken or Channa for me) with rice and a Spice Wrap. Spice Box is here August 15, see you in line.
• Peaches, peaches, peaches! We told you about our visit to Biltz Greenhouses earlier this year. The peaches are here and if you haven’t had them yet take home a box. Watch it though, these things are juicy.

Thanks for reading about some of my favorites, but feel free to tell me what you like. Email via the contact form on the Statehouse Market website, share in the comments or email me at jmullins@spd.in.gov. And as always thanks for making the Statehouse Market so successful. Stop by and visit our vendors and try something new!