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Some people collect 17
th century French
porcelain; I collect farmers markets. Whatever country I visit, whatever state or town, if there's a farmer's market, it's at the top of my must-see list. Even if I'm staying in a hotel room far from home without a fridge, I find something to purchase. Last week in Dallas TX it was ripe
heirloom tomatoes that I could snack on out of hand between symposium sessions.
UbiquitousIn late summer in the US every market seems to offer sunflowers, tomatoes and peppers.
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While I love those, when I travel I seek products that are characteristic of that area, products that I may not see in my NYC
Greenmarket.
IconicIn Canterbury NH, pop. 2297, the market is under individual tents in Town Center, between the Town Library and the Town Hall. Here I can replenish my stash of
Jill's delectable maple sugar candies.
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The Saturday market in Concord is sited next to the gold-domed State Capitol. It seems like a perfect statement: New Hampshire supports its farmers. We bought sweet corn for dinner and I reinforced the message of the Worm Lady who was trying to convince skeptics that worm composting was easy to do.
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In Santa Fe NM the market is in the old railroad yards, complete with quintet playing country & western.
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I saw both hot and sweet peppers roasting in front of a gas flame, in a cage hand-cranked by the
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farmer, and hot pepper powder in bags large enough to last a week or two.
In Raleigh NC, both yams and peanuts seemed right at home.
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while kids on a field trip tasted testing the fresh apple cider.
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Last week in the sheds of the Dallas Farmers market, I was somewhat startled to see a stand that sold only Texas Longhorn beef bones, slow roasted for dogs, advertised at 1/2 the calories of regular beef, 80% less fat, and 30% less cholesterol.
...What a Wonderful TownBack in New York City in my favorite market at Union Square I was searching for true NYC flavor. By 8:15 am when I arrived, the chefs in their white coats, trailing disciples with baskets and hand carts, had already departed with their selections.
Then I spied it, the Lower
Eastside Ecology Center Compost stand. New Yorkers bring their garbage, dump it in containers; the ecology center makes the compost, then bags it for resale at the market. Garbage! It made me proud to be a New Yorker.
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