I don't work for the Hillsborough Farmer's Market, although sometimes I wish I did. They have become "my" market, out of the plethora that are available in Orange County. They're convenient-- a mere 10 minute drive from my house -- and still small enough that you can get to know the farmers by name. My only complaint is part of that: because they are still so small (roughly a dozen regular vendors, give or take a couple) there doesn't tend to be quite the variety of foodstuffs that you can find at, say, the Carrboro Market. I'm not 100% certain the story behind the story, but there are two farmer's markets in Hillsborough: this one, which meets in the Home Depot parking lot at the intersection 86 and I85, and the Eno River Farmer's Market, which holds court -- literally -- in the sheltered area behind the new Courthouse on Margaret Lane. I went to that one a few times last season but didn't find enough to keep me going back on a regular basis. There is an apple orchard that has a stall there, though, so might be worth going back once in a while (or figuring out where the orchard is and their pick-your-own times).
This weeks haul was small as it's between paychecks: cabbage (a HUGE head the guy gave me for $3. we'll be eating on it for a whole week), cucumbers (mine are leafing but not flowering yet), green tomatoes (for frying), peaches (glory be hallelujah! fresh fruit!), eggs, and -- a first!! -- shitake mushrooms! A rarity at ANY market but he says he's gonna be a regular. Whoopee!! I love it when I can stop buying anything that has to be trucked across the country. Maybe I can convince him he should start growing buttons and creminis, too. I asked him if he foraged for wild ones and he laughed and said no, he only trusted what he grew himself. Understandable, but I'd love to try some wild fungi from a knowledgeable mycologist.
Gratuitous picture of Lil Bit smelling the flowers at the market.You didn't know you needed that, did you?
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