Our first Sunny Saturday in months, so I'm off to the Farmers Market. It was 7.30 am and the good people of our city are lining up, blinking in the bright morning sunlight. It has been well over 6 weeks since we saw the sun on the week-end so everyone is out and about.
The Farmers market I go to is held in the grounds of a local school. It opens at 7.45 am, allowing time for the stall holders to set up and the locals to line up at the different entry points, and have a chat. Then they're off !!! Stand back or you could get trampled!!! (I kid you not)
The thing is, Kiwi's are market mad, we have them for everything cos we all love a get together and a bargain. We have them at halls, schools, main streets, anywhere you can set up, there's a market. There's farmers markets, flea markets, boot sale markets, travelling gypsy markets, and on and on..we love them!! As far as this particular farmer's market goes, its got fantastic quality goods but can be a little pricey. If you are ever in New Zealand, go to the local market. I highly recommend the Dunedin farmers market and the Nelson market, they are awesome! (great food and coffee too) Anyway back to this one.
I just have a wander (Reccy) around first and decide if there's anything I want (not necessarily need!!) then I go back and do a double check. Here are a few of the stalls just so you can have a nosy too. (I was a bit self conscious taking these..I didn't want to be too intrusive, even though I wanted to get right in there to take my shots)
Vegan's and Vegetarians avert your eyes!
First up, a local farmers Beef and Lamb for sale
Then Kiwifruit...yes we call it Kiwifruit not Kiwi. It's the end of the season and there's Gold and Green galore YUM. Did you know you can use a few slices of Kiwifruit to tenderize your meat. Just lay some slices on what you want tenderized then wait approx 15-20 min and cook. Don't leave on any longer than 30 min, I did this and ended up with meat the texture of baby food!!! It acts quickly.
All locally grown
On we go.......
Free range eggs are always popular
And this is right next door
We also have a lot of flower growers in our area
and Orchids are just coming into season
Avocado season is just coming to an end...we have a lot of orchards in our rural communities
YUM fresh apple juice
Lots of hot food stalls as well
I motored past this stall...way to tempting
Of course..there is ALWAYS good live music and coffee !!!!!
then there's...
So what did I end up with?
Some fresh Organic pork belly, a Basil plant, Comfrey manure, two small Salami's, some native Kawakawa herbal tea and a Native plant I've been on the hunt for ...Horopito..it's otherwise known as NZ bush pepper. It's leaves when dried are like pepper/ chilies, its great for adding to your cooking. I tried a tiny bit of fresh leaf and yep...it's hot!!
Everything you have seen here is locally grown and or made in the Bay of Plenty. Hope you enjoyed. Have a blessed day