To Market, To Market

There is always a little frisson of pleasure when you meet someone out of context in a large city such as Toronto.  Such a moment occurred at the Wychwood Barns on Saturday when I realized that the fiddler  who was part of a group of musicians playing outdoors was the very same person who delivers Now Magazine to the store every Thursday! I was surprised to see her--Rachel-- without a pile of papers slung over her shoulder; she was surprised that I was not peering from behind a stack of cookbooks.

Wychwood, as usual, is the place to go for the freshest vegetables.  Marvellous Edibles--Potato Lady -had kale and a perfect partner for it, the bacon her husband Jens cures. Other stalls were piled with salad greens, radishes, very early new potatoes, garlic and garlic scapes. There are also many options for protein from with Weber's, Green Gate, Marvellous Edibles, and in a lighter vein, Fisher Folk.  By the time I arrived on the late side, the latter was almost sold out. A few booths along there were hens eggs. Sometimes, if you are there early enough, you will find duck eggs.

Bread Song Bakery/Bus Kitchen/baking collective had some very patriotic baked goods--some quite tasty baked goods, too.

Although there was a small vendor with black currants and Bizjaks with apples and sweet cherries,Wychwood is not the best place for fresh fruit.  Instead, try Metro Hall market on Thursday mornings.  Between Warners and Andrews Scenic Acres,  you will find a selection that can include mulberries, tayberries, gooseberries, currants in several colours, strawberries, and raspberries.  In a few weeks, Thames Valley Melons will have their main eponymous crop--although I really like their corn.