The Houndstooth Gourmet

The skies opened opened up this weekend, and it’s still raining! Fortunately, it didn’t deter people from going to the markets. The Del Ray market held its full compliment of vendors including Three Way Farm, whose tables were repleat with strawberries, asparagus, rainbow chard and baby arugula. I bought a quart of strawberries, a large bunch of rainbow chard, and baby arugula.

Asparagus is still in season, and a farmer from Culpepper, VA had beautiful, thin-stalked bundles for $2 a bunch. And, I’m still digging spring onions which I found for $1.25 a bundle.

You know what I’m not digging? A $.50 hike in the price of a saltena at Marcela’s Bakery stand. Not that they aren’t worth it, because they are all that and then some. But, so far this season, there are no napkins, no forks and dammit, no firey green jalapeno sauce. What up with that?

A gentlman in front of me asked for the sauce and was told that they will have some next week. We’ll see. At least my saltenas were put in a plastic container. It came in handy right after my purchase, when a bucket of water rolled off the edge of the canopy onto my head and right down my neck!

On Sunday morning, Frank and I got to the Dupont market just before the bell rang. I wanted to be sure I could ge my favorite eggs from Keswick Creamery, along with a feta sampler-a terrific bargain at $5. Speaking of cheese, Everona Dairy debuted at the market. Everona produces artisinal sheep’s milk cheese from their dairy in Virginia’s Piedmont region, where the climate and terroir is perfect for cheese making.

Owner, Dr. Pat Elliott, was on hand to give out samples and answer questions. All of the cheeses looked beautiful, but alas, I had spent my lot and will have to wait until next week to purchase some Everona cheese to enjoy at home. I’m looking forward to filling you in on my purchase!

Surprisingly, Spring Valley Farm from W. VA had ramps, along with New Morning Farm, where I purchased a bunch for $3. It’s been interesting to see how the ramps grow (and become stronger in flavor and scent) larger over the month or so that they’ve been available. New Morning also had long, firm stalks of rhubarb which I purchased at $3.60 a pound. I’m going to combine the rhubarb with strawberries to make a dessert, and use the rest to make a compote which I will pair with pork loin.

So, I have lots of wonderful fruit and produce to work with this week. Stay tuned for recipes and photos!

Until the next At The Market, eat and buy local when you can, and enjoy the photos.

Tags: District of Columbia, Alexandria, farmers markets by Ramona
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Sunday, the Alexandria West End Farmers Market opened for its second season. The market was started last year by market master, Julie Bryant. Bryant is the former owner of Cameron Perks. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Alexandria’s West End, Cameron Station is a large living community consisting of condos, townhomes and a few single homes. It is beautifully lined with trees and dotted with public sitting and gathering areas. Ben Brenman Park, in the back of the development, is home to the market on Saturday mornings, rain or shine, from 9-1, May-Oct.

I met Bryant at the market yesterday as she was checking in with the market vendors. She informed me that there are 26 vendors scheduled to be at the market this year, which is about a 30% increase over last year’s 15 vendors. She feels that the market has a nice variety of food and art, but would like to see more organic meats offered.

Fortunately, Sunday morning was glorious, if a bit windy. The market appeared to be about 75% full with vendors including juried artists, flowers, herbs, produce, eggs, pastries, cheese and canned goods. I saw several vendors from the Saturday markets in Alexandria City and Del Ray.

Tom the cheese guy was there. He is also at Del Ray. I picked up some Gorgonzola cheese to pair with some of the strawberries I purchased which came from Westmoreland County, VA.

J&W farm also had magnificent strawberries, along with fresh, vibrant greens. I picked up generous bundles of cilantro, parsely, bok choy, spinach, rainbow chard and spring onions. For under $12!

Tanya, of Tanya’s Soul Cakes had pretty pink-topped cupcakes for $1.75. Raspberry buttercream-topped vanilla and chocolate cupcakes were delicious.

Hilldale Farms had Fluvanna Farm Fresh brown eggs. I picked up a dozen pullet eggs, which are eggs from chickens just several months old. I was told that while they are on the small side, the yolk to whites ratio is better than in the larger eggs from older chickens. I’ll report back to  you when I start to crack them.

Fluvanna Farm will also have organic chickens in about two weeks. I hope they are reasonably prices because I would love to try one.

Until the next At The Market, eat and buy local when you can.

Tags: Alexandria, farmers markets by Ramona
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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.

Tags: Alexandria, farmers markets by Ramona
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Well, it was another busy weekend at the farmers markets. Saturday was gorgeous out, so Frank and I packed up Tucker and headed into Del Ray. At the farmers market, I saw a few additions including Toigo Farm, Local Honey, and the praline lady (the name escapes me right now).

 When we arrived, the saltena stand was waiting for a fresh delivery from Marcela’s Bakery, a few blocks away on Mount Vernon Avenue. In the meantime, I spoke with Whitney Long at the Local Honey stand. They are a co-op of three bee keepers who make various appellations of honey. I bought a small jar of honey which hails from West Falls Church-that’s in Northern Virginia. I’m thinking it might go nicely over fresh ricotta, which I’m slated to make using my new New England Cheese-making Kit!

When the saltenas arrived, Frank and I each enjoyed the chicken stew filled pockets-with our hand! There were no napkins, or forks for that matter. It was a bit touch and go, but we ate them without making a mess of ourselves too badly.

Sunday was rainy and it was a bit jarring to see lightning and thunder first thing in the morning. Nevertheless, Frank and I donned our rain gear and drove into Washington DC’s Dupont farmers market. I met Country Pleasures Farm, who has been at the market for 15 years or so, but was just returning for the 2008 season yesterday. I was drawn to their stand, where the blue-checked tables held jams, sausage, scones, tulips, apples, apple sauce and a cooler full of Angus Beef products. Processes by an Amish family in PA, the beef products included pulled bbq beef, cured beef, hot and mild beef sausage grillers and beef jerky.

I came away with a pack of spicy sausage sticks (I am getting addicted to these things, with so many stalls carrying them!) and a few black twig apples. The owner informed me that these apples go terrifically with Calvados, so I’m thinking of making a pork dish with them.

Spring Valley Farm was once again carrying morel mushrooms, so I bought another small box along with 2 heads of tat soi.

I also spoke with the folks at Clear Spring Creamery, and they hope to have their Camembert-style cheese next week. Meanwhile, their cheddar curds were so tasty, I bought a container!

Until the next at the market-eat and buy local when you can.

Tags: District of Columbia, Washington, Alexandria, farmers markets by Ramona
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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!

Teaser photo: stay tuned for the recipe

Tags: District of Columbia, Washington, Alexandria, farmers markets by Ramona
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