So once again, it’s been quite some time since I blogged. And a lot has happened in my life since my last post (but more about most of that later!).
I’ve just returned from a very short 19 day holiday in Northern California – San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park and Silicon Valley. There were so many highlights! But I have to say, that one of the biggest was visiting the Ferry Building Farmer’s Markets on a Saturday at lunchtime.
I went to the markets with a bunch of wonderful women I met at the BlogHer Food conference that I was very lucky to attend (thanks to the wonderful – and I have since discovered, legendary – David Lebovitz, who at the last minute sold his ticket to me). Many of these women were from other parts of the US, parts that don’t have the beautiful rich soil, the year-round warmth and sunshine and rain that we have in south-east Queensland (or that they have in Northern California). They couldn’t stop marvelling at the size of the veggies, but mostly they were amazed at the range, the colours and the flavours.
I learnt that it’s hard to grow a long, skinny carrot when the ground is frozen solid for a large part of the year!
I had to take loads of photos because it was EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING that I couldn’t buy anything! ARGH!
So many heirloom tomatoes! |
Peppers of all colours, shapes and sizes |
Chilis – perfect for my new favourite food – Mexican |
Pumpkins were EVERYWHERE! I loved these little babies. It’s nearly Halloween… |
These had me craving greens like nothing else (my mother would have been so proud to read that sentence!) |
The mushroom varieties were unbelievable. I’ve never in my life seen so many different varieties! There is no excuse for buying the boring button mushroom at these markets! |
Oh the garlic. How I wanted to bring this home! Lucky I didn’t as customs went through ALL our bags in Brisbane! |
The only thing I did buy that day was lunch. A gorgeous open sandwich with the sensational flavour combination of locally smoked salmon on sourdough with heirloom tomato, red onion and cream cheese. I could have eaten 10 pieces!
I tried to recreate this yesterday, but the store-bought smoked salmon just didn’t taste the same. I’ll be off to the West End markets on the weekend to buy some hot smoked salmon!
This was lunch. Nom nom nom… |
Where are your favourite farmer’s markets? And what do you ALWAYS buy from them?
beeso says
you should come to lantanaland and try some of my home cold smoked salmon.
Mel Kettle says
Oh yes please Beeso! Will have to sort something out..
Serene @ MomFood says
I was there at the same time you were, and I had a burrata sandwich with heirloom tomatoes, so nearly the same lunch as you. It was lovely. And a beautiful day to be at the market!
Gastronomy Gal says
Love Noosa Farmer’s markets! Those tomatoes look amazing, glad you had a fabulous time Mel. You will have to tell the story of David selling you his ticket! Wow!
Cathie Wilson says
Dearly beloved loves to hit the Mt Gravatt fresh food markets, and he always brings home Vietnamese doughnuts. Big, thick, sugary twists of fluffy, crunchy, chewiness that are perfect with coffee (though you need a slightly bigger mug). Last time, we walked down and back — so does that mean we could have had more??
Lizzy (Good Things) says
Stunning Mel, love it! To me, a farmer’s market is the most exciting place in the world! I love the Nagycsarnok in Budapest! But also love our own Central Market, Mindil Beach (not Farmer’s but brilliant nonetheless), QVM of course, etc etc.