At The Alexandria City Market April 26, 2008
The Alexandria City market was full of vendors and patrons on Saturday morning (Flickr photo set here). When the weather warms, this market really comes alive and I can say, it’s growing on me. Yes, corn and tomatoes are not in season here. Oranges? Never. But they are at the market, and folks love them. Heck, I regret not picking up a bunch of Silver Queen corn from South Carolina. At least I can ask the market vendor directly about where it comes from, and how fresh it is.
Maybe it’s all those dogs around the perimeter of the market, or parents bringing their small kids. It’s a great example to set. Or, the man playing children’s songs on his saxophone. Like a Pied Piper, they are drawn to him.
Where the Alexandria market shines is the vendors who make or raise their own products. There are bakers, canned goods, local honey, jams, and sauces.
Babe in the Woods carries humanly raised heritage pork, and their prices are quite good.
Emine (EM-in-ay), a delightful woman with a large straw hat, has a stand towards the back of the market. She hand makes baklava of all varieties. From sweet to savory, and traditional to imaginative and delicious.
I picked up two pieces from Emine yesterday-an apricot filled, and a curried cabbage with jasmine rice and raisins. Both were terrific, with a slight edge going to the cabbage stuffed baklava. I’m a sucker for a savory breakfast!
Frank picked up a ham, cheese and green onion biscuit from Maribeth’s Bakery. If you find yourself at the Alexandria market, head over to the technicolor umbrellas and tye-dyed shirts. That’s Maribeth’s and she makes delectable breads, scones and biscuits. Real suthun’ biscuits.
I also bought a package of cooked country ham from Calhoun’s Country Hams. This ham was sliced thin-almost shaved. I used it in a salad with endive, shaved Parmesan, pears, and toasted walnuts with evoo and fresh cracked black pepper. This dish was inspired by Patrick O’Connell, at the Inn At Little Washington. His recipe ran in the Washington Post a couple of weeks ago. Here’s the link.
Give it a try-the combination of flavors and textures is terrific.
Until the next At The Market, eat and buy local when you can.
Glad to see a local perspective on food! I really enjoy the local market, although I have to admit the vendors that mostly carry non-local produce drive me a little crazy. Sweet corn, bell peppers, and big tomatoes in April? No thank you. But I’ve been happily buying herbs to plant at home, the meat vendors always look tempting, and I have to recommend the fresh mozzarella sold by the folks that have the incredible orange juice business.