Monday, July 29, 2013

San Antonio Green Market



I do love early mornings, don't you? Unfortunately I love my bed more and you rarely find me out of bed before the sun.  So what was I doing up in the chill, misty, pre-dawn of the Santa Cruz Valley two weekends ago? For the longest while I have wanted to visit the San Antonio Green Market. This farmer's market is located in a valley not too far from where I live. It's a small market with some noble aspirations as explained in this video.


I was relieved to see that the land which was cleared for the market space has greened up nicely and is now quite scenic. In fact I was happily distracted from my shopping by the numerous hummingbirds that darted among the flowers and the feeders along the walkway.

One of the goals of this market is to encourage farmers to use less pesticides so the produce you find here is organic. It's worth coming back often because what's on offer varies and is dependent on seasonal availability.


In season now are chennette, mangoes and passion fruit. There were yellow and pink passion fruit on the day that I visited. I bought some of these beauties to make passion fruit curd. The yellows are slightly sweeter than the pinks which were just a bit more tart in my opinion. Both are fabulous for making passion fruit curd. Just swap out the lemon juice in this recipe with passion fruit for an easy peasy curd in just 5 minutes.


I freely admit that I have a somewhat unhealthy obsession with the stuff. Passion fruit curd over my oatmeal with mangoes for breakfast ~ a little bit of heaven.


As you walk through the market you are likely to score some fabulous finds by local artisans.  I bought a gorgeous hand-carved, teak, salad bowl but the old fashioned tops also caught my eye. My boys were delighted to be given a demonstration.


Aren't these soaps adorable? I have seen some fancy, French ones that were quite similar, in a high-end store in the mall. These locally crafted soaps are every bit as good.

Now is a good time to mention that you should definitely keep abreast of the market events and latest products on offer by liking San Antonio Green Market's Facebook page. It was here that I learned about this beautiful stained glass piece. I am currently stalking them and simultaneously trying to convince my husband that we need something like this in our home.


Since stained glass flowers are unlikely anytime in my near future it's my luck that there are always lovely tropical blooms on sale. I can never resist these sexy pinks. I am not trying to be cute. Sexy pink is actually the name of this pink heliconia cultivar and it is one of my favourites.


After shopping it was time for breakfast. We were advised to try the arepas and they did not disappoint. Sorry there are no actual photos of the food but after all the walking around, they were inhaled. At this point it was time to put the camera down.


It can be said that food is about community. It takes a community of farmers to grow or rear our food. Then we gather in spaces like this to purchase it before finally gathering around a table to partake. 



This little market has just that kind of friendly, community spirit. While here you should expect to fall easily into conversations with random strangers. Folks here smile at you and pass on advice, like telling you that the locally grown and produced cocoa tea (hot chocolate) is not to be missed.  Unfortunately with all the people I stopped and chatted with along the way,  I missed out on the cocoa tea. In a sense, I am glad since it gives me reason to visit again.








  




30 comments:

  1. A wonderful place! Thanks for sharing your lovely pictures with us.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    ReplyDelete
  2. Who knew this existed! If only I lived near by I would visit there everyday

    ReplyDelete
  3. i LOVE farmers markets, though the ones around here are nowhere near as exotic as what i'm seeing here! now that i think about it, though, you might find some of our produce exotic too! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh most definitely Grace you should have seen my giddy excitement when I recently had fresh asparagus. Now that's my idea of exotic, lol.

      Delete
  4. I have been to downtown San Antonio but never able to go beyond the city area. Love farmers markets and hope to visit SA again and also this market :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Zoe, This market isn't in San Antonio in United States. It's located where I live on the island of Trinidad in the Caribbean:-)

      Delete
  5. What a charming market! That's definitely worth getting up early for :D

    ReplyDelete
  6. I can never have enough of passion fruit! Lovely pictures Wizzy..the blooms are so so pretty. Sounds like an amazing farmer's market!

    ReplyDelete
  7. awesome clicks...flowers look so adorable and the soaps are definitely something beautiful :-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. nice place to enjoy.. i liek to go there

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lovely pictures, it looks like a wonderful place.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Adorable mercado tengo la suerte de conocer venezuela muy colorido lindo post,hugs,hugs.,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My good pal Rosita. You know I don't speak or understand a word of Spanish but God bless Google Translate that gives me just enough understanding to follow your lovely blog.

      Delete
  11. Oh, what a lovely images! They make me want to leave everything and escape to the Caribbean...
    By the way, I would love to see your crochet creations, I'm sure they will be extremely cute!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Come on over Margot. You and me, we'll run around with our cameras photographing everything;-)

      Delete
  12. Lovely blog post. I cannot wait to try this passion fruit curd. Fabulous idea. Thank you for your pictures and for giving up your bed one Saturday to visit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vicki no need to thank me, it was worth it. Now please put me on speed dial for when you get those baby melongene again. I have something exciting I have been dying to try with those.

      Delete
  13. I feel so left out that we don't have markets like these at all over here :( however, the thought of your passion fruit curd puts a big smile on my face!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am fond of my warm cozy bed on Saturday mornings as well! The afternoon Farmers Markets get more of my attendance! But if I was to find myself in San Antonio I wouldn't want to miss the lush scenery paired with irresistible local food and wouldn't mind the early hour!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great photos, I love markets, they always fuel my photography inspiration. I wish I could eat empanada's for breakfast.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This Farmer's market looks amazing....I loved those fresh fruits and the banana flower. Wish I could get some of those goat milk soaps.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Such a charming market! And I love the vibrant photos, Wizzy :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Absolutely gorgeous colors in your photos! I love mangoes and so jealous of your mango oatmeal breakfast. :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a wonderful collection of market treasures. I love your idea of passionfruit curd...with mangoes, on oatmeal! Genius idea! Love, love, love

    ReplyDelete
  20. Beautiful market pics! And I want some of that passionfruit curd.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Well done, Trinidad! When I visit again, I will go there. I like Trinidad. A lot!

    That's my kind of market.

    Notice how food without pesticide tastes much MUCH better?

    Gee, I'm hungry.

    ReplyDelete
  22. This looks like my kind of thing!!!Your photos are wonderful! I'd love to go for a visit when I get back to Trinidad. Could you give me directions? The passion curd seems fantastic but aren't the seeds bothersome? Have a happy Wednesday!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's very easy to find. Saddle Road, near Cutucupano Road in Upper Santa Cruz. The seeds don't bother me but I know some people don't like them. You can strain the juice first to remove the seeds

      Delete
  23. I'm soooo glad I clicked through from Mrs NQN and found you. What a gorgeous market and definitely worth getting up for. Love your blog!

    ReplyDelete