Ten great things

Between market manager Rebecca and myself, we have 5 college drop-offs in four different states in a seven-day stretch this week.

So this week's blog comes to you short and sweet. 

Here are 10 great things not to miss at the market this week:

  1. Vegetarian Mexican food from the XOLO food truck. Insanely delicious fare from a former cook at Red Hat. Try the breakfast burrito or carnitas tacos made with shredded local shrooms.

  2. The maple syrup at Mountaintop Maple. If you bought your flour from River Valley Community Grain last week, you've already elevated your pancake game. Step it up another notch by adding syrup tapped by a local Hastings family.

  3. Any pasta from La Trafila paired with all the fresh basil you can muster. The basil is so good and so plentiful this year, especially at Sun Sprout Farm.

  4. The return of Homespun Chili. In the not too distant future weeknights are about to get crazy again. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to just pop open some Rockin' Moroccan chili for the family to make things just a little easier on you?

  5. Noomi Peanut Butter - why have an ordinary PB & J sandwich when you can make one with Noomi? This is pure, unadulterated peanut butter sweetened with dates. A game changer.

  6. Escarole and radicchio lettuce from Morgiewicz Produce. If you like your leaves bitter, these two are winners. Escarole is so delicious with walnuts and blue cheese and the radicchio is as delicious torn into salads as it is braised with garlic and olive oil and/or balsamic. A great side dish for grilled meats. (ditto for escarole, btw).

  7. Pastured meats from R & M Farm, Harlem Valley Homestead or chicken from SOVA FARM. Of course you can technically grill all year, but this time of year is the sweetest. Because fairy tale eggplants on the grill are divine.

  8. Are you celebrating (or lamenting) being an empty nester? Pick up some black walnut Bourbon from Cooper's Daughter Spirits either way.

  9. Prefer your libations sans alcohol? Snag some OM Champagne Kombucha (ginger, turmeric).

  10. Any Hummus from AYA Hummus because they are so darn good with all the beautiful produce on display at the market these days.

Fer Franco