NEW: Off-trail at the Chappaqua Farmers Market: See what you find!

See photos of last week’s market in Photo Gallery
October 21, 2011
by Pascale LeDraoulec

• 8:30a - 9:30a Yoga, courtesy of Breathe Pilates & Yoga.
• 8:30a - 1:30p Halloween Crafts for Kids and Costume Swap—both sponsored by Chappaqua Girl Scouts
• 10:30a -1:00p Music by TJay
• 10:30a -1:30p Bodywise Connection Food Tasting

It’s easy for things to get lost in the fray of great food and friends at the market. Plus, we’re all a bit like trail horses, aren’t we — loping toward the familiar.

If you’re used to going to the coffee stand for coffee, it’s easy to overlook the croissants on the table,  (especially if, God forbid, it’s your first cup of the day). I thought I’d put together a list of “items you might not expect to find at the stall where you find yourself.” It’s also a list of plain good finds at the Chappaqua Farmers market.

If you send me some of your personal faves, I’ll pass them on in a future blog!

1.  Tierra Farms. Yes, their nuts are crazy addictive (ginger cashews!) – but did you know they sell fantastic locally-roasted coffee and, now, granola, too?

2.  Kontoulis Olive Oil (at the market tomorrow – yippeee!) sells tapenade (slather onto a Bread Alone baguette and you’ve got the perfect appetizer)  and jars of plump Kalamatas in addition to the oil we all know and love. Plus, Demetra now carries balsamic vinegar!

3. True Foods – many of you make a beeline for the burritos but have you tried the chickpea kale salad? Or her new pot pies? Yum.

4. Pura Vida Fish: what could you possible be missing at the fresh fish stand? Smoked fish! They don’t always put it out, but ask for the smoked blue fish. It’s insanely good.

5. Orchards of Concklin – yes, yes, their Bosc pears are perfect and their Empire Crisp apples heavenly. But did you know they also sell great lemon cookies for the lunchbox? eggs? cider?

6. Bread Alone…most of you have your favorite, tried and true loaves. But have you tried their Tuscan dark or miche? They are so big you can buy one with a couple of friends and divide it up. It also freezes remarkably well. GREAT with winter soups. Also: their sliced bread is ideal for packing sandwiches for school.

7. Big Girl Bakery sells fantastic sweets and most of you have figured that out…but did you know they make a dynamite spiced-nut mix? (always beautifully wrapped, it makes a lovely hostess gift during the holidays).

8. Picklelicious sells pickles, of course. Incredibly popular pickles…but have you tried their peppadew peppers on a sandwich? Or their citrus olive mix?

9.  Hummingbird Ranch – (here on Saturday). Yes, their buckwheat honey rocks and so does their maple syrup. But guess what? They make honey facial masks, too! Sticky upon application but your cheeks feel delicious afterward.

10. Clean Ridge Soap. Co.(they are back on Nov. 5th) I’ve raved ad nauseum about their lavender lotion. I have one bottle in almost every room of my house for those instant “pick-me-up” moisturizer moments. But their lip balms are a life-saver and their air diffusers will make your house smell like joy.

11. Lynnhaven Goat Cheese: the go-to stand for lots great goat cheese logs swaddled with different seaonings…but only a handful of serious cooks have discovered their goat meat, too!

Other things you might not expect to find at a farmers market?

How about free early-morning yoga classes? Or a free concert? This week, we are featuring the always popular singer/songwriter TJay who will be playing songs from his new album, “Take a Seat.” You can check him out at: http://www.tjaymusic.com/rocks/.

Or, a great cookbook for sale for a great cause:

This week, the women behind Bodywise Connection a non-profit that runs yoga, pilates and other programs for women who have or have had cancer, will be offering up sample recipes from their healthful cookbook – using vegetables from the market, natch.

See you at the market!

Food writer and author Pascale LeDraoulec is Director of the Chappaqua Farmers Market.

 

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