At The Dupont Farmers Market- Chocolate, Spice And Inspiration

Posted on November 6th, 2007 by Ramona
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The “fall back” time change came on Sunday morning and helped me get to the Dupont farmers market on the early side. Frank and I even drove there from Virginia in a non-circuitous, non-zigzag fashion (which usually happens due to the circles and one way streets). Yup. Straight to the neighborhood and found…a parking spot! We brought our dog Tucker along and enjoyed the brisk walk up to the market (dogs aren’t allowed in the market, but they can hang out across the street). My patient husband Frank tended to Tucker, who gained a lot of fans while I was shopping (I brought them both a couple cheese samples to hold them over).My normal MO for the market at Dupont is to check out the produce and prices, then get buying. My first stop was Atwater’s Bakery, where I spied spicy “Sweet Heat” brownies while I was in line. Very clever they are (said Yoda), having cookies and brownies tempting you as you wait in line. So yeah, I caved and bought one in the name of giving it to Frank. I ate half last night and I can tell you all, this brownie is outside of the brownie box good. Ever since the Aztecs, chocolate has been known to pair well with spicy heat, and this brownie takes that pairing to a new level. It’s brilliant, with ancho chili powder, cinnamon, sesame seeds and nuts. Do yourself a favor and get one next time you visit them. Mm,K?

My next mission was to find Lacinato kale. A couple of farmers had it and I bought a bunch at New Morning Farm, which is certified organic. What is Lacinato kale? Read my post on D.C. Foodies and find out! There’s a great recipe there too, which would make a fantastic side dish for Thanksgiving.

Eco-Friendly Foods had chicken, pork, lamb and some lovely looking dry aged steaks. The lamb rib chops were looking very good and as I was purchasing them I noticed a man who I thought to be the owner, speaking to a few college kids about his farm and philosophy. I was drawn to his voice like a moth to a flame. I have a deep appreciation for farmers and am always curious about life on a farm; what makes them passionate about what they do? Let’s face it; farming is a passion. It’s long hours- roll up your sleeves- get dirty -work for the sake of producing a superior product the right way. And that’s what I heard this man, Bev Eggleston, founder of Eco Friendly Farms, saying.

Standing there in jeans and a ball cap, Eggleston explained to the students how he in fact had been a vegetarian for a time, until he discovered how animals, as well as plants, have a place in the eco system and how they fufill their purpose by providing us with nourishment and sustenance. Given room to live and food choices to make, they can be raised humanely and will actually taste different from an animal that has been fed cheap grains, confined and stressed. Another interesting point that Eggelston made was that the animals which he raises are not marginalized for profit, and the farmer in turn, should not be marginalized in society, which rung a chord with me. I truly believe that spending my money on independent farm products helps to sustain them, and they in turn bring me chemical free, nutritious food to sustain me. And yes, I can pay less at my supermarket and Costco (and I do shop everywhere, not just the farmers markets), but some of my food budget is going to go local so these farmers can not just survive but thrive.It was great to see Eggelston reaching out to younger folks to make an impact on them so they in turn can make an impact on their health and their environment. He is obviously passionate in his pursuit of practicing what he preaches. I mean, the man actually got goosebumps as he spoke. Most people are so detached from their food sources from shopping in sanitized and well lit stores with chicken pot pie wafting through the air. In fact, blood was shed so we may eat. And for that I’m thankful.If you are interested in eco friendly farming, you can read more about it from Bev Eggleston’s mentor, Joel Salatin, who has written many books on the subject.

Thanks for reading. See you at the markets!

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