The biggest kohlrabi I've ever seenMy family and I had a great time at the Minneapolis Farmer's Market this past weekend, and not just because my son got to try grabbing green beans with his teeth during the "Aunty Oxident" show. We sampled all sorts of tasty foods from old favorites like Dehn's and Ames Farm, but also got to try a bunch of new things.
Much of the new exposure was thanks to Susan Berkson, host of the Market's "Fresh and Local" Radio Show, who showed me around the Minneapolis Farmer's Market, talked about local food and serving the community, marveled at the size and diversity of the crowd, and introduced me to some of her favorite vendors, including Aaron from Blue Gentian Farm (whose beef jerky is a new favorite), Mary Hall, who sells all sorts of southern style beans (grown right here in Minnesota), and John from Bar 5 Meat and Poultry, whose bacon burgers were devoured by my non-burger-eating-kids in 12 minutes flat. Did you know that the Minneapolis Farmers Market only runs a small portion of what you find at the Lyndale Market (the 3 northern-most rows), and that the cinnamon buns, various local salsa and sauce sellers (I picked up Uncle Pete's Sweet Hot Mustard), and rows upon rows of food and clothing aren't offically part of the deal? I had no idea!
I left the market with a full belly, meat, pickles, condiments, and produce (loads of fresh basil, cilantro, green beans, and check out the Egytian onions, below) - and a very happy family. Here are a few pictures:
Susan Berkson from "Fresh and Local" and Bob Dehn from Dehn's Herbs
Eqyptian onions, which I'd never seen before
Mary Hall, selling her locally grown Southern style beans at the Market
John from Bar 5 Meat and Poultry - he puts bacon in his burgers and blueberries in his bratwurst!
