Buying Local in North Carolina
A gorgeous warm and sunny Saturday in North Carolina, perfect for scoping out the State Farmer's Market in Raleigh. I wasn't quite sure what local crops would be available in February, but Christine and I were delighted to see "new crop" pecans, several varieties of homegrown "cured" sweet potatoes, "frost-bitten" cabbage, collards, turnip greens, spinach, parsnips, rutabagas, turnips, crowder peas, greenhouse-grown strawberries, and winter squash.
In addition to produce, we found watermelon rind pickles, peach salsa, chow chow, pumpkin butter, stone ground grits, and local honey. Local bakers tempted us with Caramel Cake (pronounced CARE-a-mel), fruit pastries, pecan pie, red velvet cupcakes, and soft pretzels. We bought local bratwurst, sampled goat cheese and quenched our thirst with freshly-squeezed limeade.
A great day at the market made for a fine dinner!
In addition to produce, we found watermelon rind pickles, peach salsa, chow chow, pumpkin butter, stone ground grits, and local honey. Local bakers tempted us with Caramel Cake (pronounced CARE-a-mel), fruit pastries, pecan pie, red velvet cupcakes, and soft pretzels. We bought local bratwurst, sampled goat cheese and quenched our thirst with freshly-squeezed limeade.
A great day at the market made for a fine dinner!
Dinner Menu
Pan-grilled Bratwurst
Candied Sweet Potatoes
Southern Biscuits
Romaine Salad with Pecans
Fresh Strawberries
Scuppernong Cider
