Farm Fresh

Grocery Items at Market: 

Arugula: $2/bunch

Mixed Greens: $2.50/bag

Broccoli: $2.25/lb (1lb is about one bunch)

Pie Pumpkins: $2.50/each

Tomatoes: $2.50/lb (1lb is about 3 tomatoes)

Mixed Peppers: $2.50/bag

Pork Breakfast Sausage: $6.50/lb

Split Chicken Breast: $7.00/lb

Chapel Hill Creamery Fresh Cow's Milk Cheese: $6.50

Total Spent: $40.00

As I wandered around the market this past Saturday I felt slightly overwhelmed and out of place. Everyone seemed to be familiar with one another and people were in deep conversations about the various greens on each table, most of which I wouldn't have recognized without the signs. With my confidence a bit rocked, I took it slow and stuck to the familiar items like tomatoes, broccoli and arugula. I was so relieved when I ran into the chef of ACME, a restaurant on the Carrboro food tour. Sometimes a familiar face is all it takes. Of course he mentioned some spinach variety I had never heard of that he was buying up in bundles and then he said something about shiitake mushrooms, which were nowhere in sight. I guess it pays to own a restaurant. Noting his steno pad, calculator and pen in hand, I avoided the urge to ask if I could shadow him around the market, promised him I'd stop by this week to have dinner, and continued wandering feeling a little more positive.

I kept thinking about my blog as I checked out the various farmers' offerings. Was I saving money by buying my produce at the market? Where was the meat and how much would that be? It was uncomfortable dealing in all cash and I quickly stashed the paper bills in my pocket rather than pulling out my, very out of place, Coach wallet. Once I had the aforementioned "staple" items in my bag it was time to look for what I would consider the fun stuff. I'm not sure if I've mentioned it yet, but I LOVE cheese. Last week when I was being introduced to the various farm table stops on the Carrboro tour I resisted the urge to buy cheese from Chapel Hill Creamery. This week however, head farmer Flo's welcoming smile was all it took and I found myself buying a wedge of delicious Raw Milk Hickory Grove.  

Just when I thought I was getting the hang of the Farmers' Market I strolled up to Cane Creek Farms for some meat and felt completely overwhelmed all over again. 

I probably should have gotten a roast for the crock-pot, but I froze and ended up getting breakfast sausage instead. Not that buying breakfast sausage was a mistake, but it's not a regular item in our home and therefore it felt like I was splurging again. However, it is one of Cameron's favorite breakfast items and he took it upon himself to make a delicious Sunday brunch using all farm fresh ingredients (except for the eggs, apparently those sell out very early).

All in all I think Cameron and I are both enjoying the farm purchases. The greens are extra flavorful, the sausage is to die for and I think I would've spent the same amount, if not a little more, on the same items from the grocery store. 

This morning I made pumpkin pancakes with homemade pumpkin puree. They were tasty, but I think I need to tweak the recipe because they weren't as fluffy as I would've liked. I still have some more pumpkin puree so I will be making more pumpkin treats and sharing the recipes that I consider successful.