August 17th, 2011 
Every Saturday morning after Pilates and before brunch with the girls, I have a date with desire!
(Photo Credit: blogs.kqed.org)
Farmers, Shrimpers and Earthy Cajun Bakers come together to orchestrate a New Orleans necessity, The Crescent City Farmers Market.
In a town where supporting local endeavors is more bayou law than a trendy economic suggestion, The Crescent City Farmers Market combines fresh caught seafood, with hand harvested grains from Cajun Country west of New Orleans, and vegetables so fresh the sell-by-date sticker simply reads “morning” or “afternoon.”
I love it here.
Anita DeBoisblanc sells Blueberry Sage jelly for White Wood Farms next to Paw Paw’s honey. Big Joe and Little Joe sell boiled peanuts and sweet potatoes on the other side of Paw Paw, although little Joe is eating many more than he’s bagging. A booth in the back corner of the commandeered parking lot hoists a sign for Cajun Grain, a product of Earth Energy NOLA by farmer Kurt Unkel. Prince Charles of Wales walked though his fields while filming the documentary, Harmony. An undertaking to promote farmers markets in industrialized nations. The co-ed working the table and I joke about how ‘advanced’ countries have gotten so good at ‘creating’ food, we now have to watch movies to remind us that it’s supposed to be grown. Judy Brown-Cochran interrupts us with an announcement, “This is THE best rice! My kids love it!” I can see why. This is multi-colored earth grain; real rice is not white, and does not come in a box on aisle four. Who knew?
(Photo Credit: where2nowmag.com)
The lovely ladies of Monica’s Vegetable Farm have grown and picked what will become this afternoon, my very first fried green tomato. Which are green on purpose, they are not unripe red tomatoes. They are surrounded by picturesque boxes of eggplant, arugula, and squash of every size, shape and color. There is a wheel barrel full of zucchini the size of my thigh.
Across from them, Saadet Metin, represents Nur’s Kitchen; authentic Mediterranean cuisine she scoops into plastic containers for the crowds craving hummus. She gives out samples on freshly warmed pita bread. It’s delicious.
There is no better way to keep your family filled with healthy, hearty whole grains and fresh veggies than to support the community carrying on all the farming and seafood traditions New Orleans is famous for. Most vendors have recipe idea cards and brochures that detail the best ways to clean, chop, peel, freeze and consume your fresh treasures.
See you at the Market!
WHEN & WHERE:
Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until Noon
Warehouse District
700 Magazine Steet at Girod
New Orleans, LA 70130
Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Thursday from 3:00 until 7:00 p.m.
Love it, and can taste the food already! Yummy!