It was a great day indeed (even if I froze and couldn’t feel my feet).
I went to Ottawa with my daughter, in order to be with my mom for Mother’s Day.
I started off celebrating Mother’s Day by visiting the Ottawa Farmers’ Market. (I’m normal..I swear)
This means, I woke up bright and early…9:00 a.m.!!! and I was out the door at 9:15 so I can meet my foodie friends at the Ottawa Farmers’ Market at Landsdowne Park at 9:30.
It was great to see @cestboncooking again and there was a pleasant surprise that @foodiePrints joined us as well. Always great to be in the company of other foodies.
The farmers’ market was unlike anything I have seen in Toronto. Although I have to admit..I just started to attend farmers’ markets in Toronto last year. I have been to: the farmers market at Liberty Village, the farmers market infront of Sick Kids, the farmers market at Mel Lastman Square and Nathan Phillips Square and have frequented the Dufferin St. Farmers Markets as well. I’m no expert but I tried my best to visit a farmers market as often as I could. Plus, I always tried to take my son or daughter with me.(education is key, right?).
At the Ottawa Farmers’ Market, I was drawn to the variety of vendors…a nice mix of flowers, vegetables, game meats, cheeses, ice cream, honey, cookies, soaps, spices and lots and lots of prepared food: oatmeal pancakes, beans w/bacon, eggs with grilled vegetables and potatoe wedges and even strawberry with balsamic vinegar popsicles (oh how I love Pascales Ice cream…too bad it was 2 degrees out) !!! I was also thrilled to see an Ethiopian Vendor selling Injeera.
I read on their website that ALL goods sold by the vendors who participate are produced by the vendors. I certainly got that feeling and felt confident that I was buying vegetables from a farmer and not from a vendor who bought it at a food terminal. Do you know what I mean?
When I returned home to pick up my mom and my daughter, I handed over the bread pudding that I purchased at “The Piggy Market” stand, to my mom. She IMMEDIATELY smiled and I knew that it was the best Mother’s Day gift. Then we went to Serious Cheese, a new cheese store that just opened in September, for the best grilled cheese sandwiches and a heavenly mac and cheese too.
No need for a fancy brunch….we are simple people who like simple good food. A grilled cheese sandwich was perfect for all of us.
So what did I buy?….GUESS!! (see above photo). I will be really really impressed if anyone guesses what vegetable is in the centre. I had never seen it before or even read it about it before (I clearly need to take a foodie refresher course).
As for the vegetable on the right: it’s an Egyptian Walking Onion. (catawissa). The bulb is a bit sharp and becomes sweet when cooked (sauteed). Learn something new everyday!!! Many thanks to Jambican Studio Gardens for introducing me to this onion!!
Looking forward to reading your replies. (as always).
P.S. @VincesMarket ..thanks for providing me with a great idea for a blog entry!!
I’d say that looks a lot like lovage to me.
Validate those sources!
was it dandelion?
Looks like celery or celery root? But I don’t really know,, do tell!
The leaf looks like celery but the stem a bit young…
Ottawa Farmers market is awesome, glad you liked it. AND nothing beats a good grilled cheese sandwich, nothing 🙂