Sometimes the market can be overwhelming. So many sights, sounds, and heady smells. Not to mention the distraction of bumping into friends, old and new. And, of course, so many cute dogs that need a head scratch. It's easy to miss a vendor!
Occasionally, we like to help you navigate it all with a Top Ten list of some of our market faves.
Here are 10 items not to miss this week at the Chappaqua Market!
1. The chilled cantaloupe and cucumber gazpacho from Red Barn Bakery. Folks usually zero in on those beautiful organic and rustic pies and scones and tarts at this tent, But do pick up a pint or quart of this refreshing summer soup — as tasty as it is pretty.
2. When I get to the market, if I’ve already had my coffee, and I usually have, I make a beeline for Marlon at Fairy Juice Bar for an energy boost. I’m a sucker for their green juice because it's not sweet and makes me feel so darn righteous...but their deep pink Phoenix Rising is a close second, and it's Barbie pink!
3. Chicken bacon at R&M Farms. Think this is blasphemy? Think again! Especially when served alongside some of Ryan’s large farm eggs with their sunburst yellow yolks.
4. Yes, you are inevitably pulled in by the paella at Spain at Home. But, don’t miss their other Spanish delicacies like their tortilla Española. A staple of every tapas bar in Spain, it’s also a breakfast of champions and the perfect thing to enjoy at the market before you start shopping. Also, their olive oil cake is simply perfect.
5. Raw Chocolate Love — Shimon has been working on a frozen hot chocolate beverage made with his organic raw chocolate for a while now, and he has finally perfected it just in time for the peak of summer. An ice cold frappé chocolate drink that you can feel good about serving to your children? Sign me up.
6. Wildflower Honey at the Hudson River Apiaries tent. If you’e going to buy market berries, do yourself the honor of enjoying them with your favorite yogurt and some of this honey. No better way to start the day. But also delicious with Stilton cheese or atop market burrata over grilled Caradonna Farms nectarines. You’ll find this recipe and many other honey-driven recipes here.
7. Speaking of honey...Perry Bindelglass of PB Hot Sauce is back this week. Make sure to sample his new spiced honey sauce. His peach ghost pepper sauce is a staple at ours and a favorite on taco night.
8. Fresh Meadow Farm and Caradonna Farm should be bringing their first corn harvest this Saturday or next. Do make this corn salad with basil and tomatoes, the quintessentials summer salad. Or, try this corn, bacon, basil and parmesan pasta dish from SmittenKitchen.
9. Of course, you head straight to Second Mouse Cheese for Ivy's award-winning regional cheeses (many of the cheeses she sells reaped awards from the American Cheese Society last week) but do remember that SOVA Farm has Painted Goat feta and Goode & Local is now bringing their Maplebrook smoked Ricotta. Use it to make grilled zucchini with ricotta at your next bbq. It will be your new favorite summer dish. Or, toss in your favorite La Trafila pasta with lots of basil and sautéed mushrooms from Fresh Meadow this week.
10. Stars of the Meadow has some early dahlias this week. Not by choice. You can read all about her dahlia issues if you follow her @starsofthemeadow. But talking to MaryBeth about flower farming in the Hudson Valley is one of the joys of shopping at the market.
P.S. Matt Westall of Ready Set Sharp is having hand surgery next month and will be out of commission until September so he is squeezing in an extra visit this weekend. Get your gardening shears ready for that September pruning! And your knives sharpened to scrape kernels off your Caradonna corn! Plant Yourself Healthy will be joining us this week, as will some local Girl Scouts who will be leading a market-driven scavenger hunt for kids!
See you at the market!
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