Daily dispatches on the Washington, DC area's food, restaurant and dining scene.

Best of Washington: Farmers Market Finds

One reason we love farmers markets is the serendipity—you never know what fruits and vegetables you’ll come across. Still, it’s nice to have some consistency, so we’ve sussed out a few of the best non-produce offerings.

By Rina Rapuano Published Monday, July 06, 2009

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Toigo Orchards’ bourbon peaches spooned over vanilla ice cream make an easy dinner-party dessert.

Bourbon Peaches From Toigo Orchards

Keeping a jar of these firm-fleshed peach halves ($12) on hand means you’ll always have a quick dinner-party-worthy dessert. Serve them over vanilla ice cream or bake them in a cobbler. The slight booziness of the single-barrel bourbon adds depth and a hint of vanilla.

Sold at nine area farmers markets. For a list, visit toigoorchards.com.

Crabcakes From Chris’ Marketplace

Even Marylanders swear by these handmade jumbo lump crabcakes ($9 each for a minimum of four ounces), which Chris Hoge admits are made with a bit of mustard. That’s all he’ll reveal—even to the ambassadors and First Ladies who have asked. Call 866-785-4100 or visit chrismarketplace.com.

Sold at farmers markets in Dupont Circle (1500 block of 20th St., NW, Sunday), Penn Quarter (Eighth St. near E St., NW, Thursday), Foggy Bottom (I St. between New Hampshire Ave. and 24th St., NW, Wednesday), and Falls Church (300 Park Ave., Saturday).

Jams From Copper Pot

When former Maestro chef Stefano Frigerio found himself with idle hands, he started putting up jams and sauces—and Copper Pot was born. We love the strawberry-and-vanilla-bean and peach-and-Prosecco jams ($6.50), both delicious on scones; the fig-and-balsamic jam pairs well with cheese plates. Don’t miss Frigerio’s pastas ($3.50 to $10) and sauces ($6), sold alongside the jams.

Sold in DC at markets at 14th and U streets, NW (Saturday), Bloomingdale (First and R sts., NW, Sunday), and Georgetown (26th and O sts., NW, Wednesday) and at markets in Fairfax (Van Dyck Park on Old Lee Hwy., Tuesday), Herndon (777 Lynn St., Thursday), and Vienna/Oakton (Oak Marr RECenter, 3200 Jermantown Rd., Oakton, Wednesday). Visit copperpotfoodco.com.

Pudding From Keswick Creamery

Keswick Creamery’s chocolate pudding ($1.75 for five ounces, $2.50 for a half pound) not only wards off farmers-market meltdowns by weary toddlers; it also works as a take-home treat for good boys and girls. Made with organic and fair-trade ingredients and thickened with arrowroot, it’s about as wholesome as pudding can get—and more chocolaty than anything you’ll find at the grocery store.

Sold at six area farmers markets; for a list, visit keswickcreamerycheese.com.

Meats From Red Apron Butchery

Chef Nathan Anda—formerly of Tallula and EatBar in Arlington—butchers locally raised livestock and cures the meat himself with satisfying results. He brings hot dogs, pastrami, mortadella, bacon, and half a dozen other cured meats to farmers markets. When it’s available, we can’t resist the thinly sliced soppresatta, a rustic Italian sausage, and its French cousin, saucisson sec, loaded with garlic and pepper. Sold at Penn Quarter (Eighth St. near E St., NW, Thursday), Ballston (Wellburn Square at N. Taylor St., Friday), and Crystal City (Crystal Dr. between 18th and 20th sts., Tuesday). Visit redapronbutchery.com.

This appeared as part of The Washingtonian's July 2009 Best of Washington issue, on stands now.

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Comments

From the Falls Church Farmers Market, it is a hard choice!
From Cibola Farms the buffalo hotdogs are a great addition to any stew and the buffalo short ribs are to die for!
From Blue Ridge Dairy the feta is a must for any salad, mozzarella great on any pizza, and the yofresh is a great desset
From Atwaters, pretty much everything including the Rosemary Italian bread, scones and brownies
From Tree and Leaf - greens!
From Potomac Vegetable - greens and root veggies!
Toigo - well everything I can get my hands on in crates usually.
And top it off with a crepe and a cup of coffee at the Village Preservation & Improvement Society stand and you have a great day at the market!
Kathleen Nixon

Posted by: Kathleen , Oct 07, 2009 10:40:02 AM

All hands down to Copper Pot, they just produce the most scented and delicious jams at a best value out there.

Signature: Looking for premium natural vanilla beans at a bargain? Drop by at www.myvanillashop.com for best value.

Posted by: harcoutbreton, Jul 20, 2009 01:32:23 AM

BEC Farm Market at Langley Shopping Center has the freshest local produce I’ve found in the entire area!

Posted by: mclean resident, Jul 08, 2009 10:47:27 PM

Most definitely yummy offerings at the area Farmers Markets, however, maybe the most unusual is a uber-specialty baked product called Havana Banana Breads. In six months at Eastern Market and now at the American Market at National Harbor, there is a cult-like following. Only banana breads in six and sometimes seven flavors.

Posted by: Mike, Jul 08, 2009 12:44:24 PM

I’m reluctant to agree because they always sell out--but, Smith Meadows pastas are the best, Spinach pesto is wonderful, too. And they are the nicest family!

Posted by: impattyb, Jul 08, 2009 06:46:49 AM

pagnotta bread, focaccia, and almond macaroons at Quail Creek Farm.

buffalo from cibola farms.

Posted by: j, Jul 06, 2009 07:31:34 PM

All good choices. I’d add Smith Meadows’ fresh pastas, esp. the mixed greens and blue cheese and pecan ravioli. Perfect for low-effort dinners.

Posted by: Colleen/FoodieTots, Jul 06, 2009 01:23:51 PM

The Olney Farmers and Artists Market (www.olneyfarmersmarket.org) has all kind of finds. From Cherry Glen Farm’s wonderful goat cheese to homemade spring rolls and gourmet knishes, this is a great market to visit. In addition to the food finds, there are weekly chef demos and children’s activities, as well as live music and juried artists.

Posted by: Amy Harbison, Jul 06, 2009 12:53:58 PM

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