At The Kingstowne Farmers Market May 30, 2008
Friday was my first trip this season to the Kingstowne farmers market. Except for the absence of Allenberg Orchards, who will be joining the market in the near future, the market seemed to be in full swing.
A new find for me was Susie’s Cookies. Susie, a fair-skinned, blond hair, blue eyed woman was busy deftly doling out samples of her luscious cookies with a pair of chopsticks. I tried a sample of the Oatmeal Carmelita cookie and was immediately convinced to buy a small box. Using a family recipe and the best oats she can find, Susie make this cookie (it’s more of a bar, really) perfectly gooey, slighty sticky and toothsome from the oatmeal. This is the perfect gourmet cookie to give as a gift, or treat yourself to.
Susie also sells her cookies at the Burke, VA market on Saturdays.
We’re now moving into pea season. At Kingstowne, I picked up a bunch of sugar snap peas that were fresh and crunchy. If you go, look to find them at the farm with a sign indication that they are from Westmoreland County, VA. Their prices are good, and the produce is extremely fresh.
I prepared the snap peas shortly after arriving home, as a before dinner snack. Simply done, I sauteed them in a pan with olive oil, salt and pepper, and finished them with a dose of freshly-grated lemon zest. They were delicious eaten out of hand like potato chips.
Finally, I bought a bottle of honey from Bees n’ Blossoms. The type of honey I got was Tulip Poplar Honey. It’s deep amber and intensely flavored with sweet, thick nectar. A little goes a long way with this stuff! I’m not sure if this it Bees n’ Blossoms first year at the Kingstowne market, since I don’t recall seeing them there last year, and the woman who helped me was new and not sure of the history.
If you like honey, I highly recommend that you seek Bees n’ Blossoms out and try some of their many bee products. It is as marked; Virginia’s Finest.
Until the next At The Market, eat and buy local when you can.
The picture of the flowers is absolutely gorgeous! I’ve never been to the Kingstowne Market, but the vendors you mention sound great. I bought sugar snap peas this weekend as well (at Del Ray), and they were fantastic.
Its so nice to hear that you enjoyed our cookies. The carmelitas are always a hit, and even taste great warm with some vanilla ice cream!! Your photos are fantastic, is there a way for us to get them to post them on our site as will, with your complements of course! Thank you and hopefully see you at the market!
Hi Megan! Yes, your cookies are amazing. Of course you can have the photos! I’ll contact you at your website or phone. Best! Ramona
Tried the carmelitas and apple pie oatmeal cookies from Susie’s Cookies. They were fantastic!