to market, to market

On Saturday, we had some friends offer to take care of the Sprout for a few hours so we could have some together time. This is a rare treat since we don't much indulge in babysitters. Yet. (A nursing mommy makes such things tricky at present.)

Naturally, we couldn't think of anything to do with ourselves. (Well, we thought of at least one *ahem* thing, but given that the Sequel would still be with us, it posed a logistical challenge to say the least. Besides, there's no air conditioning in the house.) Then, we thought of a few things to do that were either complex, too lengthy, too depressing, or a combination of all three (for example, shopping for a new vehicle aaaAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!.) So, we settled for noodling around the farmer's market and having a nice relaxed brunch.

As you might imagine, there's a whole Mars-and-Venus vibe when we approach the market. My wife wants to look at the indie clothing, and the jewellery, and the little soaps etc. (or if it's a sunday, Og help me, the antiques.

I pretty well want to look at the food. More specifically, the jerky.

Seriously! Emu jerky, bison jerky, turkey jerky...how can you not love it!? (Sorry, Kyla and other veggies out there). It's the perfect food. Take it out of your pocket, brush the lint off, and chew away. Protein, flavour, and a good jaw workout all at the same time. Only other way to work your jaw out that thoroughly is to eat week old gum off the bottom of your desk.

Seriously, though, I do get pretty distracted by all the food. Wonderful produce: bags of organic spinach, heirloom fruits, baskets of freestone peaches (!!!), red carrots and bright yellow parsnips, pattypan squash... Handmade all beef salami. Bison burgers. Organic eggs (75c extra per dozen, and they taste SO FUCKING GOOD. Honestly, it makes such a huge difference.) Oh, and of course, candy and maple syrup and maple syrup candy.

And the capper for this particular market trip: Garlic Fudge. Ayup. Seriously. Feature a fairly bland fudge base, sweet and with maybe a touch of vanilla, and a whole lot of garlic (not too sharp, but not mellowness of roast garlic either. Might have been blanched? I'll have to ask next time). She was giving away samples. Most folks made horrible faces (and sounds) but I kind of liked it. I said to her "It's not exactly a dessert..it's almost like a savoury, like a fine cheese or similar". Her eyes lit up as she knew she had found a kindred spirit. "Exactly! I like it with a medium red wine, especially on a nice fall evening. I could eat a whole pound at a time if I let myself...."

I didn't buy any, but I do have some ideas for Christmastime.

Poll #539240 Garlic Fudge?
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 28

What sayest thou?

How much do you like garlic?

Tell me about a weird food you like.