a trip to the farmers market

it's a chilly (<10degC) but beautiful day here in St. Paul and the freshness of the air cajoled a trip i'd been wanting to do for a while which didn't quite materialise on the weekend that f was here because it was miserably wet and cold... and then there were other distractions... like having to return stained(!!!) stainless steel cutlery from IKEA and also to replace them with something better since i very much want to dine at home too; promised attendence at colleague's party; and of course, work! ahem. yes. i think work is a terrible sort of distraction for better things in life like going to the farmers market! hee!!

there are a few farmers markets in the twin cities and my colleague brought me to one in Minneapolis once during my first week(s) here that was located near the busy highway (or freeway?!)... i was naturally thrilled since that was something familiar; like markets in asia and in continental europe. and i love the fact that you can chat to the farmers who actually grew your potatoes and leafy greens and ask them how they'd recommend you prepare certain bulbs, roots, stems etc... i recall that there were also lovely fresh flowers for sale and a tea-stall where i picked up a few free samples, much to my delight! that Farmers Market in Minneapolis is by far the largest i've seen here and it reminds me a lot of Viktualien Markt in Munich except without the quaint medieval charm of the Bavarian city. however, it is quite a distance to get to without a car.

i decided to visit the downtown St. Paul farmers market instead since it is a single bus ride from my doorstep and it is also open on sundays!

St. Paul's Farmers Market is a good-sized market with some over 20 stalls show-casing their weekly fresh produce. there were noticeable amounts of squash and pumkins about this week... beautiful autumn flower wreaths and bouquets which i was very tempted to treat myself to but didn't in the end... the lady at a homemade chocolate sauce stall offered me samples but i didn't buy any even though she said that one sort of truffles might appeal to my dark-chocolate preference...

what i did get in the end are some free-range chicken tenders and mince and this wonderful array of edibles...

clockwise from top left: hot red thai chillis (which are more than i really need for the whole year!), locally produced apples -- cortland & fireside ranges, locally havested honey -- basswood and fall wildflower infused, chinese broccoli (one of my favourite veggies), sweet potatoes, yellow potatoes and little onions...

i'm going to have a feast this week! =C)

posted by ~overacuppa~ on Sunday, 9 October, 2005 at 17:07 hrs