threeplusfire: (Bluebonnet)
[personal profile] threeplusfire
I am ashamed to admit, this was the first time I've dragged myself down to Republic Square park for the farmers market in eleven billion years. But it was so worth it today, because the weather is nice and I found a spot in the parking garage quickly. Also because I found some fresh beets (which got mud on my shirt first thing) and a big healthy looking onion from Springfield farm. The beets still have their leaves and I think I need to learn what to do with beet tops to fully enjoy my $6 worth of deliciousness. I got some iced coffee from Texas Coffee Traders, who have great beans. Caffeine, sweet cold caffeine. The problem with that is that it feels impossible to drink any other coffee afterwards because it won't be as good.

I scoped out fresh flowers and citrus trees and pepper plants. I bought a giant brioche the size of my head, partially because it was cute and partially because I love brioche. Thank you Texas French Bread. I also found the Confituras table and picked up some ginger pear preserves. You can see the chunky ginger bits. I am excited to combine this with the brioche. Right next to them was a booth for Kocurek Farms that had a huge board of sausages. I freaking love sausage. Real sausage, with natural casing and fresh meat and creamy fat and spices. I almost bought one of everything when I realized they took credit cards. It was painfully hard to limit myself and I already know I'm going to go back to try everything. I bought some paprikawurst (pork with paprika, hot paprika, black pepper, orange zest and orange juice and sea salt), because I think I can get Mike to eat that, some duck pate because I love pate and half a pound of Czech bacon. I was won over when the lady at the booth told me they use gin in their brine. It is fatty and will provide me with delicious lard for baking too, so I feel like this bacon was almost an obligatory purchase for its many purposes. (Bacon scones people, bacon scones on the horizon.)

I restrained myself from buying a million other things like tiny colorful bell peppers and hot peppers and persimmons and sauerkraut. But I need to go back. Also the line at Dai Due was long, and I need to go back there. Mike is not a morning person, or even a noon person on Saturdays. I need someone to become my farmers market buddy and meet up to purchase some tasty things and sample the prepared foods. It seems like an experience to be shared. Shopping at the farmers market needs to be one of those things I commit to doing on a regular basis. I don't really end up spending any more than I would on a normal grocery run, but the food is local, fresh and delicious.

Sometimes I have a moment when I wish I lived in one of those downtown condos, so I could walk to the farmers market and restaurants and whatnot. Then I remember how much I hate sharing walls with neighbors and trying to park downtown and how I would have to have a "real" job to afford to live in one of those little condos. I am extra grateful that my life has put me in a spot where I can live in a lovely little house within an easy jaunt of so many things I enjoy.

The Williams Sonoma in the Arboretum is having some kind of market day with tables from local vendors of chocolate, jam, pretzels and coffee. I am thinking about going over there. (Like I need more food! Still.) Maybe taking my notebook so I can buy some coffee and then go sit somewhere. Lately it only seems like I get any fiction writing done away from the computer and the internet.

Date: 2011-10-15 05:01 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] imaginarycircus.livejournal.com
I would totally go with you if I lived in Austin and not here in Cambridge. :D

Date: 2011-10-15 05:07 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tsarina.livejournal.com
We need a portal device so we can pop back and forth between places! :D

I am kicking myself for failing to get a pork belly breakfast taco.

Date: 2011-10-15 09:10 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] imaginarycircus.livejournal.com
You can have all my pork belly breakfast tacos, OK? :D:

Date: 2011-10-15 05:25 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] brienze.livejournal.com
This farmer's market sounds far superior to the one at Lakeline Mall... and I thought that one was pretty good. Not as wide a range of sausage offerings, though, and the duck pate sells out seemingly before the market actually opens.

What time does the Republic Square one open? Since cats wake me at 8, becoming presentable to the world and getting to Lakeline by 9 isn't a big deal. Going downtown takes a lot more lead time.

Date: 2011-10-15 05:28 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tsarina.livejournal.com
The downtown farmer's market runs from 9am to 1pm, I'm pretty sure. I didn't know there was a market at Lakeline! Handy.

Date: 2011-10-15 05:41 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] brienze.livejournal.com
It's the Cedar Park Farms to Market... they got kicked out of 1431 Ranch because businesses felt they caused traffic, took up too much parking, and were of no benefit to the other businesses there. Lakeline Mall, otoh, is happy to give customers a reason to head that way in the morning. The market is at the far end of the Sears parking lot. If you want to see what they carry, there's a page with vendor info on the dreaded book of faces.

Date: 2011-10-15 05:35 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] redstapler.livejournal.com
Oh man.

If Josh and I didn't have the lie-in to beat all lie-ins (he caught my cold), I totally would have gone with you! I love that farmer's market. <3

Date: 2011-10-15 06:47 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] calledmara.livejournal.com
cook beet tops like any other greens! You can also use them raw in salad, but they definitely have a strong flavor.

I usually brown onions and garlic, then throw freshly washed greens on top of it and stir til wilted. Put a little Braggs and cider vinegar on top when done.

Date: 2011-10-17 02:06 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tsarina.livejournal.com
I am thinking this might make excellent quiche filling! Thanks for the advice!

Date: 2011-10-15 08:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mielikki.livejournal.com
Man, I'll go with you! Well, maybe; I sure like to sleep in on Saturdays. What time do you usually go?

Date: 2011-10-15 09:22 pm (UTC)
ext_1880: (Default)
From: [identity profile] lillian13.livejournal.com
I could come too, sometimes. I generally go down to the one at Barton Creek Square Mall, since my friend I sometimes go with lives central.

A meetup! A meetup!

Date: 2011-10-15 10:46 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dine.livejournal.com
your farmers market adventures sound fantastic - what a terrific way to spend a few hours, and you came away with such nommy stuff. it's been ages since I had any, but ginger pear preserves are fabulous, and that sausage and bacon sound stellar!

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