Miami Farmers' Market Guide

While the rest of the country pounces on juicy heirloom tomatoes, South Florida bides its time.

Even though our harvest runs from November to March, smaller farms have blossomed here, meaning more stands at the farmers' markets sell greens, local tropical fruit and other produce throughout the summer.

Don't be fooled by vendors selling wholesale produce. Grab a canvas bag or two and navigate the markets for the best of the (off) season.

Acme Bakery's lavender-lemon meringue pie

Southwest Community Farmers' Market: First, fuel your shopping with cinnamon-sugar doughnuts at Acme Bakery's new biweekly pop-up. Or devour a slice of Acme's silky lavender-lemon-meringue pie (you won't be able to hold off); pre-order pies for Saturday pick-up. ?Ed. Note: Saturday, 8/31, was Acme's last appearance at the market.

Right now, curvaceous summer pumpkins and brilliant pink dragon fruit demand attention at Urban Oasis Project's stand. Pick up Okinawa spinach to add nutty, woody notes to salads–and don't forget a dozen Dixie's Chicks eggs.

Next, head to the new Babe Froman Fine Sausages stand. Complete your ingredients for a Sunday breakfast scramble with chorizo or sweet maple-rosemary breakfast sausage.

Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tropical Park, 7900 SW 40th St.

Loaves of Zak the Baker's walnut-cranberry sourdough bread

Pinecrest Gardens Farmers' Market: Arrive early to ensure you get crusty bread from Zak the Baker. Customers line up before the sourdough rye, walnut-cranberry and whole-wheat loaves arrive (around 10 a.m.)–and the stand often sells out within the hour.

We wait in line with a tart dragon fruit, passion fruit and mamey smoothie from the LNB Groves stand. If you've never tasted jackfruit, acquaint yourself via a "snack pack" of prepared segments; the fruit tastes like a combination of banana, pineapple, and sometimes, cinnamon or pumpkin.

For your last stop, hit Miami Smokers for their new selection of cured meats and sandwiches. Chefs James Bowers and Andres Barrientos make candied maple bacon by curing and smoking Duroc and Berkshire pork, then lacquering it with maple syrup and walnuts. It disappears from the sampling board as quickly as the chefs set it out.

Sundays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Pinecrest Gardens, 11000 SW 57th Ave

Dixie's Chicks eggs, Okinawa spinach and chives at Urban Oasis Project's stand

Upper East Side Farmers' Market: This Saturday market is Urban Oasis Project's northern outpost, so expect its fresh fruits, eggs and vegetables here. Stand coordinator Art Friedrich sells out of juicy, broad-leafed Malabar spinach from the Little Haiti Community Garden weekly.

If you need a snack while shopping, the charming, just-arrived-from-Buenos-Aires couple selling empanadas at the Alicia in Delicious Land stand make light, dreamy spinach and roasted chicken empanadas. At the other end of the spectrum, Natural Flavors' vegan split-pea Jamaican patties smolder with hot pepper and curry.

And because you should never skip dessert, don't miss The Crackerman's chewy almond-kissed amarettini cookies.

Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Legion Park, Biscayne Blvd. and 66th St.