Although mushrooms are available year-round, they do have a season, and it's now. Check out the mushrooms from Kitchen Pride Mushroom Farms, a grower based in Gonzales, Texas, that we've seen frequently at farmers markets this season, including the Dallas Farmers Market (Shed 1) and the new Four Seasons Market at Firewheel Town Center in Garland. Whole Foods Market also carries Kitchen Pride.

The company primarily grows white button and brown criminis, which are harvested immature and don't have the gills of more mature varieties; delicate oyster mushrooms; richer tasting shiitakes; and big-cap portobellos. Because of portobellos' dense, meaty texture, you can grill, sauté or bake them for easy vegetarian burgers. Drape on some sliced cheese for an even better treat. Add mushrooms to stir-fries and your Thanksgiving dressing, or just sauté with some onion and egg for a special breakfast.

Kim Pierce

Peaking or abundant: In stores at good prices you'll find broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, garlic, greens (mustard, turnip and collard), peppers (hot and sweet), snow peas and sugar-snap peas, fall squash, yellow and zucchini squash. Root vegetables, including beets, carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes and onions. Also avocados, apples, bananas, Texas Rio Star grapefruit, kiwi, navel oranges, papayas, pears, persimmons, pineapple and pomegranates.

Community farmers market: McKinney will hold a winter market on Saturday at Chestnut Square. Four Seasons Market continues Saturday at Firewheel Town Center in Garland.

Dallas Farmers Market: The local crops are dwindling, as the weather wiped out a lot of the fall crop, but Shed No. 2 artisanal producers are picking up. Look for local beets, radishes, green tomatoes, persimmons, peas, lettuces, greens, sassafras root, herbs, peppers and eggs and meats. Most local farmers and ranchers are at the market on Saturday in Shed No. 1. 1010 S. Pearl Expressway.

In Shed No. 2, look for Calais Winery, Chapman Chile Co., Texas Olive Ranch, Bee-Licious Spices, Harmony Cakes, Rosey Ridge Farm (Mennonite baked goods), Ain't No Mo Buttercakes (Bundt cakes), Mawker Coffee and Kurry King (spice blends).

Look for Koster Cattle Co. on Saturday and Sunday just north of Shed No. 1. These producers are in Shed No. 1 on Saturdays unless otherwise noted: Texas Longhorn Cooperative (Saturday and Sunday), Northstar Ranch (Friday-Sunday, also selling Fred's Alaska Seafood), JuHa Ranch (eggs), Windy Hills Farm (goat and eggs).

Specialty producers in Shed No. 1 include Pastabilities (north of Shed No. 1 Saturdays and Sundays), Savoy Sorbet (Friday-Sunday, artisanal herbal-infused sorbets), Texas Honeybee Guild (local and ZIPCode Honey).

Note: If you are going to the Dallas Farmers Market for a specific item, call ahead for the most current information on availability at 214-670-5879.

SOURCES: Joe LaBarba, American Foodservice; Susan Zidlicky, city of Dallas Farmers Market