Beer is an exception I suppose as it can be used as an ingredient or enjoyed on its own. This beer from Compass Brewery is a rather festive beverage; it’s balanced with Oxfordshire spruce needles. Where else could you get something that local and forever varying?
I’m not one for beer usually but I did enjoy a smidgen of this one. I can certainly vouch for the fruit wines available at the farmers’ market. I used some Cassis to poach some quinces a little while ago and it was divine.
Cakes, pastries, muffins, sweets and fudge are the things bought to be enjoyed as they are. My particular favourite are the doughnuts from Pippins some of which have won taste awards. They are made fresh every day and the flavours change with the seasons. Ever so slightly crisp on the outside, covered in sugar and with generous gooey innards. Exquisite. These are my guilty pleasure.
I recently found some wonderful little treats called tuffets from Saucy Puds. Above you can see a wonderfully rich blackberry and apple tuffet and a rhubarb and hazelnut tuffet. Both were divine; crunchy on top, cakey in the middle and sticky at the bottom. It’s like crumble meets cake.
The above pasty was about four inches long and filled with goat’s cheese and watercress. A lovely combination of flavours and when it’s only one pound, you can’t complain. Perfect for when you can’t be bothered.
I use so many ingredients from the farmers’ market to create dishes at home but it’s the above people who can make my life easier and make my olfactory centre full of glee. Here’s to them.
At which farmers market did you find these delights? The pasty and beer are particularly enticing!
Let’s raise a glass to these heroes!! Everything looks delicious!
Hi Caroline! This made me wonder how long your Farmer’s Market goes in the season? We just had our last official market with one more indoor holiday market this weekend. I too love the non-farmer stands too of local goods. In fact I met a wine maker earlier in the summer who turned out to have his winery less than 5 minutes from me (and it’s good wine). By the way how was your sloe gin? AND I made (posted) something today you might like my fellow partner in boozey crime!
Amazing farmers market, the beer looks awesome!
Very good point, and part of the benefit of going to a farmer’s market. Grazing always my fave meal. Indian breakfast at Cardiff Farmer’s Market particularly memorable, not to mention some very well made lattes.
Lucky Girl! I wish we had beer and wine at our farmer’s market. I never make a trip to the farmer’s market without picking up a pastry or some other delicious ready to eat treat.
Farmer’s Markets are really something special 🙂 I would love to try those pasties!