An Evening at the Market

My favorite Davis evening…

Is the evening spent at Farmer’s Market. Thankfully, I had prior business in Davis today, so it afforded us the prefect excuse to go. Even though I have a garden at home, it is always wonderful to go to the market. You’re never going to be able to grow everything (at least I’m not!) and there is such a wonderful feeling, talking directly to the grower and picking up your produce for the week.

 Walking through the market, especially on a Wednesday night is always such a lovely experience. This evening, the fragrant, fresh scent of plant greens and flowers was thick in the air, punctuated by the sticky sweet caramel corn being popped and the cut stone fruit and citrus being offered up for sample.

Immediately upon arrival, however, we made a beeline to the Hotdogger stand for dinner, lead by our rumbling bellies. Lemonade and grilled corn are always a must, and tonight was particularly delicious sounding. Upon our arrival, we were even lucky enough to grab a shady bench in the square to eat on. Our food was up quickly, in spite of the long line that had been ahead of us. It could come none too quickly, because we were starving and I was dying to try my dinner. They had a new item (to me!) on the menu, the Lemon Chicken Sausage. Oh. My. Goodness. It is to die for! My son devoured half with a grin before we could say anything. Thankfully, he likes corndogs too. I was grateful to be able eat some dinner while he and his father shared.

After making quick work of the main course, we headed over to Fat Face for dessert. W and I split their Thai tea and sweet potato popsicle- my absolute favorite popsicle on the planet. W and I shared as we made our way through the market, taking stock of what vendors we would hit on the way back from the playground. The colors of the produce, the setting sun, the music in the background… it was so picturesque.

 The junior high was raising money on the carousel, but unfortunately W was not enthralled enough to ride. L decided to remedy our crying boy’s mood by giving me a break and chasing W all over the park. I was able to enjoy in the last melty drippings of Thai tea while listening to “I’ll stop the world and melt with you.” Then I was able to do my shopping. On Saturday morning I always have my go to vendors, but Wednesday…there is something about the evening that is so mellow. Farmers seem more willing to talk, the market is less crowded- it’s just a great time to try new people. Today I learned from a vendor how to cook Swiss chard while picking up some lovely green beans, summer squash and plums. My real finds at the market, however, were two peculiar items. The new vendor I tried had the most adorable, tiny green onions and “Tokyo radishes.” What they are, I wasn’t sure- but they were charming looking and recommended for salads, so into the bag they went!

As we wrapped up shopping at the market, L decided he wanted his dessert, and it wasn’t going to be a popsicle. We strolled the short walk to Sugar Daddies, where W and I tried the different flavors available from the Davis Creamery. The Honey Vanilla was excellent, but too sweet for us. Chai Tea was thick and lacking the chai spice we’ve come to expect (Thank-you, Chico Chai!) but all was not in vain. There was a pre packed quart ($6.00 All day!) of Mexican Chocolate- and we snagged the last one. L ended up double fisting his dessert with two cupcakes.

To finish up our weekly shopping, we went to the Co-op.  I love it, but it can become such and expensive excursion very quickly. There is SO much good food, and cheese, and wine… you see my dilemma. W and I were able to run in and out for bread- adding only a small wedge of cheese, a trivet, and a large garden planter to our cart first. Three scant hours after our adventure had begun, we reluctantly climbed back into the car and made way for home. Our goodbye to the evening was driving along the frontage road where W was able to wave and call out the window gaily “Train! Train! Bye Train!” as the Amtrak flew by. The Mace overpass afforded us a last fleeting glance at the sun… and I swear the scent of popcorn and fruit was on the breeze.