Rediscovery: April 14

I got to the market at 8:30 this past Saturday. Morning makes all the difference. Between the ability to get the scarce spring offerings and the willingness to chat of farmers who started their day at 3 am—oddly enough, at 3 pm they’re too tired to pass the time of day—it’s rekindled my joy in marketing. The most interesting topic of conversation: a comparison of favorite dive bars of Manhattan.

The Shop

Gorzynski’s
Red Beard mustard
Fava bean greens

Tonje’s
Ricotta
Fresh Mozarella

Beth’s Farm Kitchen
Strawberry Rhubarb jam
Sour Cherry Jelly

Terhune Orchards
Empire apples

Sliced pane bello

Vermont Grade B Maple Syrup

French Toast with Ricotta and marmalade

pane bello
two eggs
milk

ricotta
orange marmalade (home made with morrocan striped oranges, lemon juice and sugar)

Beat the eggs and milk, soak the bread, pan fry. Spread with fresh ricotta and hot marmalade.

FANTASTIC!

Snacking in the Springtime

April 7th's Shop

Saturday was another late day to the market thanks to colds revisited, late nights and general laziness inspired by the return to cold weather. However, I did grab some staples from the regular places (eggs, mixed fingerling potatoes, buttermilk pancake mix) and there was some delightful early spring snacking for Greg and I before he went to a meeting and I went home for a nap...

Heavenly Pastures was back after a winter hiatus and they had a fantastic smoked shepard's cheese (essentially a manchego with a soft smokey flavor) and Breezy Hills Orchards provided not only fall's last press of cider, but some lovely apple turnovers. We sat on a curb in the sun and had a lovely time.

Other news: Lynnhaven Goat Cheese is now at the market on Saturdays as well as Wednesdays. She makes some great herbed chevres--this time we picked up a delicious rosemary garlic. We had a brief chat with the owner, who I know through my plant provider, that really underscored the importance of the market to small operations. We ran into her at a different vendor's stand and asked if she were selling that day. Her response was of course, a confirmation, but then she got a little teary about how excited she was to be able to have a slot at the Saturday market. Paraphrased: I won't have to stay awake every night worrying about losing the farm any more. So folks, buy local if you can.