Thursday, March 10, 2011

HUGE BROWN CHESNUTS AT MAHON

MAHON POINT FARMERS MARKET


The Thursday Farmers Market in Mahon Point moved indoors today to get out of the strong wind and there was quite a buzz when I arrived (the buzz wasn't for me, by the way) at about 10.15am.


Had a tip from the horse’s mouth about the new Artichoke and Roast Garlic Sausages by Gubbeen, so I headed there to meet Megan. Bought the sausages and also some Mature Un-smoked Gubbeen Cheese.


Haven’t tried the sausages yet but the cheese was used at lunch-time with that fantastic Sourdough Bread from Arbutus Breads. It is one of my favourite breads, perhaps the favourite. Two other good ones (both from Kinsale) that come to mind are Tom’s Country Baguette and the Spelt and Honey loaf by the Baker’s Oven.


Speaking of Kinsale, met up again with Iain of Flynn's Kitchens. This time I bought some soup from him, including his new Leek and Potato with Thyme soup. I had tried that recently and was amazed at the difference the thyme made, so I mentioned that and he said that, thanks to fellow stall-holder Declan Ryan, he got the flavour packed thyme in from Provence!


Reckon I’ll see some strange vegetables in Provence when I visit in the summer but saw one at least as I bought a few bits and pieces at the well stocked Organic Republic. Puzzled by those large brown chestnuts (see photo). Hadn’t seen them before. What do you do with them? Should have asked at the stall but it got busy.


Martin Conroy of Woodside Farm told me the winter’s mud is almost all gone and that the place is looking good in the spring sunshine. The meat from his pigs was also looking good in Mahon today and we ended up with a nice piece of pork loin. No shortage of veg around here and we got some nice earthy ones from Ballycurraginny Farm.

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