GRANPA LOVES PRICKLY PEARS

So still cherries can be found. But Granpa loves prickly pears and so I bought some from Sobeys today.
He does not like sweets but he sure loves his fruit.
#pricklypears#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro#cherries

GRANPA LOVES SEASONAL FRUIT

Keeping cherries in the house is very difficult as Granpa loves them. Loves them a lot. So much so that Barb does not have a chance to eat a few.
The seasonal fruit is so good. The Niagara peaches. The tomatoes.
The golden plums.

Sample of what is available to all of us here in Ontario.
Now to go to another market. Which one? I will tell you later.
Granpa loves his fruit.
#seasonalfruit#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro#cherries#niagarapeaches#ontariofoodland#tomatoes#lovingtheseason#timetogotoamarket

GRANPA RETURNS TO THE ST. JACOBS FARMERS' MARKET 2014

Barb and I love to visit farmers' markets. So a return trip to one of the best in the province, was inviting us to return. St. Jacobs market in the little community of St. Jacobs just outside Kitchener/Waterloo Ontario. Home to a multi-generation German community and the Mennonites along with the diverse Canadian community. Waterloo as you know is home to Blackberry or known previously as R.I.M. An interesting area of Ontario!

Last year, August 2013, St. Jacobs market had a devastating fire of its building-24,0000 sq. ft.- that housed 60 vendors. In a short time a Harvest Barn was erected that could accommodate 47 vendors. It can be seen in the distance of this market scene. When we arrived, there is construction occurring at the end of the parking lot that may be the home of a more secure, modern specs. building. The problem with the old building was the wood structure.

We take our little trek trolley everywhere now. It sure saves on the muscles.

Beef steak tomatoes were in abundance.

Walking along and viewing the wonderful selection of locally grown fruit and vegetables.

Lots of Bing Cherries!

What to buy?

Breakfast was a good choice. Peameal bacon and egg with tomato on a bun-the breakfast special! Nice picnic area at the end of the Harvest Barn with clean washroom facilities if needed.

Mushrooms from a tree branch anyone?

Corn, watermelon and melons!

More delicious fruit!

Couldn't resist the asparagus! Love it in a breakfast omelette!

A good haul of fresh fruit, veggies and some baguette bread! Time to go home and eat!!!
Visit their website.St. Jacob;s market
#stjacob'smarket#returningtostjacob'safterthefire#lotsofgoodeatsatstjacob'smarket#buyingmushrooms#granpalovestocook#adolphdimambro

GRANPA'S TRIP TO THE FARMER'S MARKET AT HILLCREST MALL RICHMOND HILL ONTARIO

Our local mall has a decent farmer's market. A quick trip one Sunday yielded some good finds.

Nothing like farm fresh eggs for homemade pasta. I bought 2 dozen.

Fresh Ontario cherries are so tasty this time of year!

Home from the market with our cherries, eggs, some homemade cheese bread and buttertarts! Hillcrest Mall's little market was worth the trip.
#HillcrestMall#freshfarmeggs#fresheggsaregoodfornoodles#buttertarts#homemadecheesebread#farmersmarketsarebest#freshontariocherries#localproduce#supportOntariofarms

HOME FROM ST JACOBS MARKET

After a fun trip to St Jacobs Farmers Market near Kitchner-Waterloo about an hour and a bit from Richmond Hill Saturday August,  2012, it was time to assess my bounty.

A large bag of Canadian Bush Beans will make several side dishes for the week. I can add my "small crop" from my garden to any dish.

Farm fresh Ontario white potatoes were plentiful. I plan to make gnocchi with these potatoes. Enough for Barb and me as well as my girls and families.

The fruit is so tasty. The cherries are huge. The yellow plums were worth the purchase. The large peaches will make a good afternoon snack. Some women at the market bought many baskets. Barb reminded me it is time to make the summer fruit into preserves. Peaches fresh, preserved or made into jam are very wonderful to eat.

The yummy baked goods are for Barb and any visitors. Although the cinnamon bun was destined as any afternoon snack for Barb. It was made fresh in a small booth at the market by two young Mennonite women.

Tomatoes sliced with some olive oil, garlic and oregano are a simple side dish with summer meals. Or a toasted tomato sandwich on either white or whole wheat bread.

Or part of a farm fresh breakfast. I made Barb some home fried potatoes cooked in butter. Fried the maple sausage she bought at the market. Two farm fresh egges once over lightly with the tomatoes on the side. Barb does not like  much salt but I did add fresh ground pepper! With two slices of the Canadian Cheddar Cheese bread, it was worth two meals in one!

GRANPA'S TRIP TO ST. JACOBS FARMER MARKET- MODERN AND MENNONITE

St. Jacobs Farmer Market is a blend of Fresh produce and flea market and trendy items all blended together. Barb wanted a trip to St Jacobs on a Saturday morning due to its uniqueness. Close to Kitchner-Waterloo with its German origins, the whole area has been home to the Mennonites since the 1790s. They are a Christian sect that has detached from modern influences to live and work off the land but contribute to Canadian society and culture in wonderful ways. The area has the Canadian diversity as well.

As can be seen the market is now sandwiched between the big box stores "sprouting up" across Canada.

Even though I have some tomatoes in my garden, how could I resist one basket of beefsteak tomatoes.

The cherries were supposed to be a bum crop this year. Can not tell by this delicious pile!

The Mennonite community participate in a huge way side by side with other local farmers and merchants. Many of the young women work at the market with the larger community. In one stall, I observed one woman in Mennonite dress with the traditional bonnet, then another then another. They all looked the same. One young woman gave me a nice smile as she could see the perplexed look on my face. The three women looked slim, healthy, no makeup, no painted nails but very hard working and polite.

A crowd scene! Barb could not resist taking a picture of some ladies in their purple dresses. Permission of course to click the photo.

Barb loves Maple Syrup. This little booth was manned by a young Mennonite boy who was reading in his horse drawn buggy at the back. We bought a large bottle from him.

Inside one of the building there were meat counters- Barb bought some honey garlic sausages as well as some maple ones. Bakery counters and lots of other misc things.

Just taking a little break and having a good look from the upper balcony. Barb went off to buy some photo cards of Mennonite life. A large cinnamon bun from one of the Mennonite bakers is safe in my bag.  They were being made fresh at the little booth by two young Mennonite young women. Barb's Mom used to make cinnamon buns when she was growing up.

No matter where I go there is always Italian food being sold as can be seen by the Focaccia Bread. Barb bought some Canadian Cheddar  Cheese bread and a German apple cake from this booth.

I always find a "paesano" no matter where I go. This uomo- man originated from Calabria. He has a small farm near Martingrove in Woodbridge. He helps sell his brother's crops who lives near St. Catharines, Ontario. His young Mennonite helper was getting a chuckle out of his Italian characteristics!  I bought some peaches and cherries from him.

I was tempted to hitch a ride with the horse drawn trolleys that let tourists visit a few Mennonite farms. My arms were getting longer from the heavy bags. The market had too much to eat. It was too crowded!  Hot! .Some people were just milling around -looking. Others were serious food shoppers. Maybe next time I will arrive when it first opens. However, there is nothing like farm fresh produce. Off the tree or off the vine it is 1000% tastier!

I can not wait to get home to eat some fresh peaches.
Visit their website. St. Jacobs Market
#StJacobsMarket#StJacobs#peaches#cherries#GranpavisitstheStJacobsmarket#adayatthemarket#findingapaesano#trolleysatthemarket#tomatoesoffthevine#Mennonitefarms#maplesyrupfromthefarm#cinnominbunsfreshlybaked#Italianbread#ItalianFoccaccia#OntarioFoodland