Highlights for Sunday, August 17

We are in the height of the season! Peaches, blueberries and the start of apples have arrived. Plus there will be a ton of tomatoes and sweet corn. 

We know farmers are early birds — and we love seeing our patrons bright and early too! If you arrive before our official opening at 7:30 a.m., we just ask for a little patience while our farmers and vendors finish setting up their booths.

The Market is on the move! On Sunday, August 24, the market will relocate to Oakton Street for one special day! During this year’s Backlot Bash, you’ll find us right on Oakton in front of the Skokie Public Library. Stay tuned for parking details, a full vendor list, and more!

Check out this week's entertainment and activity lineup:

Market Reminders

Please check the weekly vendor list. We have rotating vendors each week as well as more farms on the way. We'll do our best to keep track of the farmers and vendors that will be at the market, but please note that there might be last-minute cancellations. 

Questions? Email farmersmarket@skokie.org or call 224-496-0714

We had so much fun last winter that we decided to do it all again! The Winter Market on Main will resume this January through April two Sundays a month. Dates will be announced soon! 

Quick Pickled Vegetables - What we love about pickled veggies - 

The flavor.  These quick-pickled vegetables are a little less vinegary by design. Sometimes I’ll get a hankering for a little snack and often turn to these pickled veggies because they taste great on their own, no need to bury them in a sandwich, which of course, you can always do too. Preserve the Veggies! One of the best parts of making pickled veggies is the joy and satisfaction it brings, knowing I saved the life of a vegetable before it was too late. Makes a great Hostess Gift! Bring a cute jar of quick pickled veggies as a hostess gift, such a treat!

What are the Best Vegetables to Pickle?

Cucumbers, Green beans, Asparagus, Carrots, Beets, Radishes, Onions, Red bell peppers, Zucchini and summer squash

Pickling Liquid

Vinegar – white vinegar or white wine vinegar makes for the clearest color, but red wine vinegar, Apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, or a combo will work.

Water – to dilute the vinegar

Salt – for flavor and to help preserve.

Sugar-  It helps to balance the vinegar flavor.

Whole Spices – any of the following: coriander seeds, fennel seeds, mustard seeds, celery seeds, black peppercorns, allspice, clove, cumin seeds, dill seeds, star anise.

Garlic cloves and Onion slices 

Fresh herbs– we love dill, but cilantro, basil works too.

For the brine:

1 cup white distilled vinegar

¼ cup rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar

1 ¼ cups water

2 teaspoons sea salt

1 tablespoon sugar

STEP ONE:

Begin filling up your mason jars with veggies, layering with whole spices, raw aromatics (onion, ginger, garlic) and herbs.

STEP TWO:

While you are filling the jars, heat the pickling liquid on the stove and bring it to a boil.

STEP THREE

Carefully pour hot the pickling liquid over the veggies, completely submerging. Leave about a ½-inch space between the top of the liquid and the lid.

STEP FOUR

Cool on the counter for a couple of hours before covering and placing the fridge.

STEP FIVE

Refrigerate 12-24 hours. They will begin to have flavor the next day, and they will taste even better after a few days.

Let us know if you made this recipe by tagging @skokiefarmersmarket on Facebook or Instagram.                     

The Skokie Farmers' Market accepts SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). To further support SNAP recipients, the Market offers a Match program, matching the recipients with $25 per transaction. For each dollar deducted from your Link card at the Market (you will receive a Link Token), you will also receive $25 in matching funds (Link Match Voucher). To learn more about this program, please check out the Link Up Illinois website. 

We would like to thank Endeavor Health and Link Up Illinois for their very generous grants for the Farmers’ Market and all of the SNAP customers.

                   Link Tokens

Snap Tokens can be used for:

Fruits and vegetables, honey, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, breads and cereals, plants (which produce food for the household to eat) and other foods (such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages) 

                Link Match Voucher

Link Match can be used for:

Fruits and vegetables, mushrooms, plants (which produce food for the household to eat) 

Jennifer Engel
Certified Market Manager 

This season marks Jennifer’s fifth year leading the Skokie Farmers’ Market, where her passion for local food and community has helped grow the market from 25 to 70 vendors. She brings two decades of experience in marketing,  membership and community relations from her time at Chicago’s North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Jennifer’s green thumb is next level—her home garden is basically a farmers market of its own. She also serves on the Board of the Illinois Farmers Market Association and stays active in several local community groups. When she’s off the clock, you’ll likely find her on a trail with her partner and their three rescue pups.

Email: farmersmarket@skokie.org

Phone: 224-496-0714

Steve Klebe
Assistant Manager

Steve is no stranger to Skokie—he’s spent the last 10 years serving the community as a Property Inspector for the Village of Skokie. At home, he shares a big yard (complete with a native prairie and woodland garden) with his three beloved dogs.

A fan of camping and Jimmy Buffett tunes, Steve is excited to be part of the Market this season. He’s looking forward to connecting with both customers and farmers—and picking up a few good gardening tips along the way!

Celebrating 50 years: Established in 1975, the Skokie Farmers' Market has grown from a small gathering of local farmers into a cherished weekly community event that now features approximately 70 vendors, live music, family-friendly activities, and more. This year marks the Market’s largest vendor lineup ever, offering everything from farm-fresh produce and baked goods to meats, cheeses, bottled cocktails, and artisan products.

Skokie Farmers' Market
Sundays, June 1 through November 2
7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Skokie Village Hall (west lot), 5127 Oakton St.

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