For the last year, we’ve been on the hunt for food things that make Charlotte Charlotte. Some are traditions that have been around for decades. Others are new touches that have quickly taken on the taste of the place. Either way, these are things we think would diminish our city if they went away.

Last year, we went off on a search for 50 things we love about food in this part of the world. But even a list that long couldn’t hold it all. A place with this much flavor is worth celebrating. [read the full article]

Saturday I was fortunate enough to go to not one, but TWO farmer’s markets, due to scheduling confusion. I started at the Charlotte Regional Farmer’s Market off of 1801 Yorkmont Rd, which is the largest market in the area and has the most variety, however, seeing as it is regional the food available is with in the”region;” and who exactly decided what that region was. Anyway, my point is it could come from 5 miles away or 500 miles away, there is nothing wrong with either of these options (better Florida than Mexico or Ecuador), however, it is good to be an educated, aware consumer. Seeing as this is not a farmers market review I will move on, however, stay tuned for farmer’s market reviews.

I had never been to this market and therefore was overwhelmed; there were several buildings that were a good 100 feet long. On the way to my booth I was distracted by the bountiful fruit, which I have not been able to get at other markets just yet, and mounds and mounds and mounds of produce, but was pleasantly surprised to see the many familiar faces of my farmer friends.

Once I found out I was actually supposed to be at the Davidson market I decided to do some quick foraging for the items I knew I could not leave without (peaches, blueberries, and corn) got in the car and hit the highway.

I was very pleased to be back in Davidson; this market is more my speed. The Davidson Farmers Market is between main and Jackson St next to the town hall in Davidson, North Carolina. They are open every Saturday and always have live music and cooking demonstrations (free food, yet another reason to love the farmers market). Once again, I promise there are farmer’s market reviews coming.

I knew I needed tomatoes, Barbee Farms of course, and meat but had not decided what kind. Around 11am, after hanging at the table for a few hours chatting with the customers and selling pork, I noticed that the Barbee’s looked like their tomato stock was running very low so I decided to take a stroll over to grab a few before they all disappeared.

They have two varieties (of course I have forgotten their names) I prefer the redder ones over the pink ones but decided to get two of each. As the tomatoes were being weighed I looked over my shoulder and saw eggplant and decided to grab one (I could make a veggie pasta with the fresh herbs from my garden). I strolled the rest of the market but made the financial resolve not to purchase anything else and headed back to the table with my veggies.

Feeling a rumble in my tummy I followed my temptation to my neighbor’s table to sample some cheese. I noticed they had a tub of ricotta and after inquiring discovered it was only $3, that would go great with my veggie pasta, I thought. The cheese is mild and creamy but dryer than the Ricotta cheese we are used to. At $3 I could not pass it up. The questions was, did I still want to buy any meat.

I was a little over budget and had items for a veggie pasta. However, I did buy the corn, and I prefer to buy my meat at the farmers market so I strolled over to the Wild Turkey Farms’ booth. I love Wild Turkey Farms’ beef because it is grass fed AND grass finished. Although most of the local beef you find at the farmer’s market is grass fed it is often not grass finished. I decided for $5 a pound I would buy the ground beef. After all I had the corn and some homemade rolls (thanks Dad) at home. [view the article]