What a fantastic weekend, folks! Once again, the weather forcasters told us we would see rain all weekend, yet the sun was shining through high clouds most of the day. OK, one or two showers came, but overall, the days were beautiful. The temperature was in the ’70’s on Saturday!
This weekend, Frank and I got a double-dose of farmers markets. We awoke early on Sunday and since the sun was out, we headed into D.C. for the Dupont Farmers Market. Frank and I arrived before the bell rang (at 9 a.m.) and Frank queued for our favorite eggs while I scoured the stalls for ramps, the harbingers of spring. I found them at Spring Valley Farm, just picked from the hills in West Virginia.
Ramps, or wild leeks, are members of the onion family. Emerging in springtime, ramps have a small white bulb, and green leaves, often tinted with a burgundy outer sheath-all being edible. Ramps are commonly found from the Carolinas to Canada, and are especially beloved in West Virginia, where festivals are held to honor them and herald Spring.
I also purchased morel mushrooms from Spring Valley Farm (you can see a theme dinner coming, can’t you?). Morels are another rite of spring. Consisting of honeycombs and ridges, morels are earthy and well, mushroomy! A little goes a long way, and while not cheap, they are hand picked in the wild and worth the splurge (a recipe is forthcoming, I promise).
And that glorious sour cherry jam smothering Keswick’s quark that you see in the photos? I had to buy it. It’s from Quaker Valley Farm, were they have many varieties of jams and fresh homemade pies. I think I’ll purchase a small one next week for Frank and I. Blueberry, Cherry or Apple? Decisions, decisions.
Until the next At The Market, eat and buy local when you can. Enjoy the photos!
What a mix of weather we had this weekend! It was supposed to rain all weekend, but Saturday turned out to be a rather nice day with a mix of sun and clouds. I decided to pack up my husband, mom (who is visiting from Philadelphia) and dog, Tucker in the car, and head into Old Town Alexandria to visit the market.
My mom is beginning to understand my obsession passion for farmers markets. She visited the Dupont farmers market with me during her last visit and seemed amazed at the array of produce etc. and the vibrancy that not even rain can dampen. The free samples helped too, in full disclosure.
Alexandria City’s farmers markets was bustling with patrons, vendors and tourists on Saturday. If you have a sweet tooth, you should come to this market. Breads, pastries, and pies are the strong suit here, with at least a half a dozen vendors selling them. Maribeth’s Bakery sells breads, biscuits, fruit loaves, muffins and more underneath a pair of technicolor umbrellas-you can’t miss them. Standouts include moist carrot cake which emits an enticing aroma of clove. White raisin and cinnamon monkey bread and is wonderful with butter, although the amount of raisins could be pumped up. My favorite are the ham and cheese biscuits, as I have a savory tooth more than a sweet tooth.
Herbed tomato and onion foccacia looked too good to pass up a Gracie’s Pastries. Seasoned with garlic and basil, the foccacia was fresh, fragrant and just a bit yeasty. Gracie’s is situated at the bottom of the steps on the N. Fairfax St. side of the market, and has a large selection of breads, including an apple bread (which I sampled) made with molasses which gives it a rich brown color. Sample alert-Gracie’s is quite generous!
You can also visit Gracie’s Bakery at the Del Ray Farmers Market once they reopen sometime in May.
Flower vendors are also plentiful at the Alexandria market. Roses, tulips and flower baskets were happily swept up by market goers. As I wheeled my mom past a selection of rose bouquets, she admired an orange-red rose variety. Several steps later, a young man from the flower stand offered her one, and with a knowing smile, bid her a good day.
A kind act so small, yet so profound. A good day, indeed.
While snapping away using my fabulous (really, it’s the only word that describes it) new Canon 40D, I was approached by Ray, who oversees the market. At first I thought I would be told not to take photos or face a nasty note in my FBI file, or the like. I was all ready to defend myself with my rights to take photos in public places, blah, blah, blah. There was no need. He asked if I was with a publication and while yes, I am writing for Alexandrianews.org and have covered the market, I was just taking photos for my blog this week. Ray seemed interested in my observations of the market and I expressed to him that the market needs more seasonal produce vendors. Currently, there are produce vendors who are by and large, not farmers who harvest their products from the soil and bring them to market. Tomatoes, corn, and bell peppers are at the market, yet not in season. For a serious farmers market fan, this does not bode well and challenges the veracity of the market’s statement that local products are sold. A larger carbon footprint, and older product which has lost flavor and nutrients, is not what should be selling at a farmers market. That’s what Safeway is for. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
On the bright side, Ray agreed and is trying to get more dirt-under-the-fingernails-farmers at the market. In addition, he spoke about trying to get Buster’s Seafood at the market. He said he has a space for them and wanted me to pass that along to them at the Dupont Market, where they are on Sundays.
Finally, I implored Ray to talk to The Powers That Be (in the Alexandria government) to get a website for the market. I think they could significantly increase their business if they would reach out with a website, photos, recipies, market news and newsletters. Alexandrians and the surrounding areas are plugged in to technology and would sign up if they had the opportunity.
Sunday brought the elusive rain that we had been anticipating, so before I set out, I donned my trench coat and hat. I looked like I was attending a Jack Abramoff party at the Spy Museum instead of the Dupont farmers market, whose food and flowers made the raindrops seem incidental.
Truthfully, there is nothing exciting to report on the produce front; rainbow chard, tubers, squash, herbs, yada yada. However, a new vendor, Clear Spring Creamery, is at the market selling fresh milk and chocolate milk.
Farmer News:
On April 6, we’ll welcome a new farmer to our Dupont market. Clare and Mark Seibert of Clear Springs Creamery will bring their fresh MILK to market. This Maryland farm has 35 Jersey cows happily munching on pasture. The farm is Grade A certified for milk production and is in the process of transitioning to organic milk certification by 2009. In addition to fresh milk, they will bring a farmstead made camebert cheese, yougurt and eggs from free-range hens. One more reason to love our Dupont market.
I was a bit hesitant to spend $5.50 for a half a gallon, but I’m assured that fresh milk with minimal processing is worth it-particulary for making cheese (yes, I am embarking on a cheesemaking quest-I’ll keep y’all in the loop). Next Sunday I will take the plunge and use Clear Spring’s milk for a batch of mozzarella. Wish me luck!
It is with great anticipation that I await ramps and asparagus. It’s been a long, cold, lonely winter, as The Beatles said, which is probably why a container of lamb and white bean soup from Virginia Lamb looked so good. And, my mom loves lamb so this surley would be a nice treat for her. I usually don’t buy “finished” products from the market; I prefer to get the ingredients and make soups, stews, pastas and tarts myself. However, I am very happy that I made the exeption for this soup. It is homey and rustic, with ground lamb, white beans, carrots and a savory broth. At $7, it was a treat I would highly recommend and will buy again-if only to figure out how to make it at home!
Another great buy was a sampler pack of Keswick Creamery’s fetas. Three individually wrapped pieces of Mediterranean, Italian, and Basil and Tomato feta was $5. I used some of it to make a Feta and Tomato tart (I will post that in the near future). As many of you know, I’m a big fan of Keswick’s products and another sampler alert would be for their stall. They are beyond generous!
Until the next At The Market, eat and buy local when you can.
What a gorgeous weekend we had here in the Washington DC area!
On Saturday, Frank and I took Tucker into Old Town to the Alexandria City Farmers Market. The scene was far livelier than our last visit with more vendors and patrons, which was great to see. By next month, it should be running at full tilt.
The Alexandria City Market is the oldest continuously running year round farmers market in the country. Since 1753, the Building and square has served as a place to obtain meats, produce, eggs and other goods. Today, finished products such as pies, pasta and Virginia ham sandwiches can be found, in addition to arts and crafts.
I spoke at length with long time market vendor, Tom Calhoun. Calhoun Country Hams has been at the Alexandria City Market since the early 1980’s, ad today sells a wide variety of specialty products in addition to their Virginia ham and ham biscuits. If you want to taste Virginia, treat yourself to one of Calhoun’s biscuits!
Enjoy the photos of the Alexandria City Market and a stroll around Old Town.
The Dupont Market was lively on a bright and chilly Easter morning. I spotted only two vendors missing, Eco Friendly Farms and Creekside Farm. Otherwise, the stalls were loaded with produce and flowers. Lots of flowers which patrons were carting off by the armful.
Next Step Produce was at the market, and I was told that they will be there weekly at this time. The bad news-no more sunchokes until next November. I’m not giving up all hope yet as I will keep an eye out for sunchokes at specialty markets for the next several weeks. From what I’ve read, sunchokes should be out of season come April.
Buster’s crabs had soft shells for $3 a piece, which is an amazing price considering you could make yourself a plate full of them for under $10! I have to disclose, however, that I have NEVER eaten them. The thought of eating the entire crab is a bit shall I say…off-putting to me and to be honest, I think I’m going to have to get over it…..soon. I love, love, love crab and there isn’t a crabcake I didn’t want to try (oh, and I’ve found a really good one…for research sake, I will have to try it again before I reveal my source, but stay tuned!). I just about overdosed on she crab soup when I visited Charleston, SC and my girlfriend and I used to do “all you can eat crabs legs” back in the day and shamelessly downed platter after butter laden platter of them.
Shad roe is one local seasonal delicacy I think I can get over not trying, but soft shell crabs are not. So, if anybody has some tips on preparing and eating them, let me know. Otherwise, I’ll let you know how my endevour goes in the near future.
Frank and I finished up our visit to the Dupont market with a visit to Cibola Farms. I’m partial to their teryaki bufallo sticks and while standing in line, I persuaded the gentlemen behind me to try out Cibola’s Cranberry, Buffalo and Pork Sausage. Cibola’s merchant told me that “customer word of mouth is my best business”.
After the market, Frank and I spent a couple of hours at the National Zoo. We are big supporters of the zoo, and I visit there opens up our minds and gives us some great exercise. For those of you not familiar with the National Zoo, it’s situated on a big hill, so if you’re either waking up, or down! We parked at the bottom parking lot so after we made our way to the top of the hill, we could relax on the way back.
All that hard work was rewarded with a pulled pork slider and soda from Rockland’s BBQ, a local chain. It couldn’t have tasted better with its vinegar based tomato sauce, and moist chunks of pork. No pictures of that…sorry.
Until the next At The Market, eat and buy local when you can.
Frank and I arrived at the Dupont Farmers Market just minutes after the opening bell rang. Tents were up to protect from the rain, which was fortunately done by the time the market opened. Winter produce still dominated the market, with gourds, tubers, radishes, turnips and leafy greans. Sunnyside Farm had amazing rainbow chard and large collards. The Farm at Sunnyside (not to be confused with Sunnside Farm) had two tables piled high with baby bok choy, leafy frisee, baby beets, turnips and carrots. All so amazingly fresh.
Keswick Creamery had already drawn a large crowd for their cheese products. I met Melanie, who owns Keswick Creamery. She is dedicated and hard working, living her dream on her dairy farm. I have always known that Keswick Creamery is popular, but they also have a true dedicated following of patrons who line up before the opening bell to get their favorite products. On Sunday, I sampled the Feta with Italian Herbs which tasted of basil and oregano. Alongside a small bucket of broccoli florets was a container of Keswick’s blue cheese dip. Amazing.
Creekside Farm and Orchard from Berkley Spring WV carries many “finished” products including a nice selection of soups. Last week, I sampled their split pea which was thick and smoky. This week, they had leek, cranberry bean and sweet sausage soup, which all looked delicious. Oh, and don’t forget that if you go to the market, bring any empty egg cartons to donate to them!
Toigo Farm had beautiful little cucumbers which were flying off the table. They were so green and sweet, I had to buy some. Also of note at Toigo is their heirloom tomato sauce. It’s tomato taste is deep and rich, and very low in sugar. It tasted great with their samples of crusty bread. Tip: Toigo is also very generous with samples year round!
Gardener’s Gourmet had lots of gorgeous green broccoli (also very popular at the market) and herbs which are beyond fresh. I bought a bunch of cilantro and dill. A LOT OF DILL. So much, in fact, if any HG readers have suggestions for their favorite recipes which use dill- I’d really appreciate it. I don’t want to waste any of the feathery fronds.
Tulips and lilies were also very popular as I saw many patrons with flowers in hand. I suppose they are ready for Spring, just like me.
After the market, Frank and I headed to Del Ray for brunch at Taqueria Poblano. A hot cup of decaf coffee warmed me up once inside. I ordered the taquito platter ($8.95) which had 3 crunchy pork taquitos drizzled with crema, refried beans, fresh guacamole and yellow rice. It was all very good, with the highlights being the fresh guacamole and their spicy pork. Along with free chips and fresh salsa, this is an amazing bargain.
Finally, while driving up Mount Vernon Avenue on our way to brunch, we spotted a young lady, Jackie, training on a bike just outside of St. Elmo’s Coffee House. She had a sign behind her stating that she was training for a triathalon to raise money for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Jackie said that her goal is to raise a whopping $5000 and she was already halfway there! She plans to train on her bicycle at at other coffee houses such as Murky Coffee in Arlington, and Misha’s in Old Town Alexandria. Vistit Jackie’s website to track her progress and donate!
Until the next At The Market, eat and buy local when you can!
Today, the cold weather and “Spring forward” loss of an hour’s sleep left the Dupont Market less crowded than last week. Actually, I think if the wind chill had not lowered the temperature by about 10 degrees, it would have been hopping. Or, perhaps the fact that we were at the market an hour later than usual allowed us to avoid any earlier crowds. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the short lines and seemingly more plentiful selection of produce. In particular, I noticed radishes galore! Small globe-like radishes, and miniature carrot shaped radishes- all colored an almost magenta red and some which yielded red to a snow white tip. Kale, chard and spinach is coming on a bit stronger as well. Some of the greens, unfortunately, were wilting in the wind (chill). This week, I narrowed in on one of my favorite produce vendors, Next Step Farm. The last time I “timed” my visit in order to buy from Next Step (they have been at the market every other week for the better part of the winter) I enjoyed a new to my palate favorite; tat soi. I have not seen tat soi since and was so happy I gave it a try. Actually, it’s hard to walk by the beauty of this leafy green. I sauteed it at home, and also enjoyed tat soi in a version of Chris’ Market empanadas, which if you’ve been following my market adventures, you know I’ve become a big fan.Today at Next Step, sunchokes caught my eye. Read the caption in the photo and see just how nutritious they are and how wonderful they taste. I asked the gentleman/owner? about how to make it and he recommended just washing them (no peeling-love that!) and giving the sunchokes some S&P and olive oil, baking/roasting them in the oven. I have got it in my head to prepare it in the manner that Harold, Top Chef season 1, prepared it for a challenge; Braised Lamb Shank with Sunchoke Puree and Spring Vegetables. Doesn’t that sound amazing? I may give the recipe a go! And, if any of you could share with me how you prepare sunchokes, I’d love to hear from you.
I also bought a half dozen small rolls from Bonaparte Bakery. On the way to the market today, my husband Frank wondered if there were any sub type rolls at the market because he wanted to use leftover meatballs (from making Wedding Soup) to make hot sandwiches for dinner. I thought that was a terrific idea and hence: we planned on making meatball “sliders”* with Blue Ridge Dairy mozzarella ($6).
Next week, I hope to get Blue Ridge’s burrata and hope more information about their herd and history of making this traditionally imported- from -Italy- delight.
Until the next at the market-eat and buy local when you can.
*The meatball sliders were fantastic! The individual rolls from Bonaparte Breads and Blue Ridge Dairy’s fresh mozzarella really made the meatball sliders.
