Saturday at the market was a day of firsts…it was the first day of Autumn, the first pumpkins, gourds and winter squashes were on display and available for purchase, as were the first New Jersey Honeycrisp Apples. Brassicas (think kale, collards, broccoli, cauliflower), were in abundance for the first time this season and Wild Violet Natural Specialties was preparing to launch their first ever line of Single Origin Pure Maple Syrup. Lovingly made in Vermont and brought to Haddonfield by a local

First stop at Café Fiore for my usual bacon, egg and cheese on a homemade biscuit. It’s delicious and a bargain to boot! Owner Susan also offers a variety of other, made from scratch items, including quiches, roasted brussels sprouts (which I know from personal experience are fantastic), chicken salad, and more.

You couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day at the Market! The sun was shining, both the temperature and the humidity were moderate, and a light breeze was ruffling our vendor’s tents and banners. It seemed like half of my neighborhood was there, enjoying the atmosphere, the camaraderie, and of course, the bounty of the season. 

 I was away for a couple of days last week, so I still had a plethora of produce at home when I hit this Saturday’s market. Instead of my usual large haul of fresh, locally grown,  fruits and veggies, I was mainly on the prowl for things to accompany them, and for items to sample and consume at the market of course.

It’s August already and the market is bursting with an abundance of delicious and healthy local produce. This week, I’m going to focus on a few of my favorites.