Market Dinner

          A couple of weeks ago we were faced with an unscheduled Saturday morning – I know – shocking!  I decided to take the boys to the Syracuse Regional Market http://cnyrma.com/.  I love going to the market.  I always went with my dad when I was little.  I remember holding on to his pocket as his arms filled up with fresh produce.  I also remember getting a greasy lunch bag filled with sugar waffles!  My dad always had a route and I still follow this, as does he!  You have to go up and down each aisle in each shed and outside before buying anything.  This way you ensure you get the best produce at the best price. 

            So we did this and made a mental list of the produce we were going to buy.  But first:  a snack.  There were a lot of homemade food choices from crepes to donuts to full lunch.  Jacob chose a donut – of course.  These are the fresh out of oil donuts that you get to see being put into the sugar coating.  You can’t take a bite too soon or you’ll burn your mouth!  Joey and I chose crepes.  We watched as the man spread the batter on a special iron at least a foot across.  You can order the crepes filled with jam or other fillings that would qualify as lunch.  We chose cinnamon and sugar – he said that’s the European way.  They were absolutely delicious, light and airy and definitely filling. 

            Shopping at the market also comes with sampling now!  We sampled all kinds of fresh cheese including goat cheese which was our favorite.  Even my five year old was willing to sample the goat cheese, so we decided on the goat cheese with nut pesto!  Fresh and tasty, this was our afternoon snack.  We also tasted homemade lentil pie.  They lady was so impressed that Jacob liked it she gave him a second sample.  We ended up buying a soup mix from her that caught our eye.  It’s Thai Red Bean Soup – I haven’t made it yet, but she included everything I need – I just have to add water and boil it.  We sampled muesli made right here in New York from a company called Mu Mu Muesli www.mumumuesli.com.  What’s muesli you ask.   It’s a blend of “whole grains, fruit, and nuts which Europeans have been enjoying for centuries.”  This one has cranberries, dates, coconut, raisins, roasted almonds, flax seeds, and whole rolled oats.  It is delicious mixed in with yogurt, cold with milk like American cereal or cooked like hot oatmeal.  We will have to get more on our return trip to the market. 

            On to dinner.  There were various choices of organic, local meat.  We chose a pound of hamburger to make into patties for grilling from www.FingerLakesNaturalBeef.com.  They had a lot of different choices of cuts at varying prices.  The hamburgers we made were juicy and wonderful.  It was great to eat meat, knowing just where it came from.  We also bought fresh homemade rolls to eat the burgers on.

            Vegetables.  Of course this is a staple at the market.  We chose brussel sprouts because Jacob asked for “those little green balls.”  Yes, he loves brussel sprouts!  I have to say that they are not my favorite vege, but I can’t say no to a five year old asking for them.  I like them roasted with olive oil better than steamed.  He likes them cooked any way!

            So, with our trip to the market successful, we can’t wait to make this an every week event when we can go during the week.  There are many markets that will be starting to pop up during the week days – take a look at where your local ones are.  The one in Bayberry started this week and will be going on every Wednesday.  Also, there are a lot of local farms that sell their own fresh produce.  Can‘t wait for a field trip!  I’ll keep you posted.