When I visited Orlando for a month in March, one of the first places my son wanted us to go was the Winter Park Farmers' Market. I love open air markets, especially on a beautiful sunny day; I couldn't have ordered a more perfect Saturday morning! Here are 5 reasons why you should meet at the Winter Park Farmers' Market whether you live in Orlando or are just passing through!
1. Bread
As you can see from the photo above, I had quite a selection of breads to choose from at the Olde Hearth Bread Co.'s stand. My favorites of our purchases--the potato chive round, as well as the raspberry tart that I ate while perusing the rest of the stands inside! The cashier gave us instructions about freshness, since their products are preservative-free, and recommended freezing a portion of our breads if we weren't going to be eating them quickly. We did, and that prolonged our enjoyment!
2. Vegetables
I forgave their spelling error, and purchased zucchini, asparagus and eggplant from this stand. Later the next week, I cooked the zucchini in butter, and a parmesan herb spice--yum; the asparagus in butter, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and thyme--double yum; and fried the eggplant (after soaking in salted water for over an hour) in a little bit of oil, with egg, covered with a mixture of freshly ground peppercorns, panko breadcrumbs,and flour--triple yum.
3. Products
I'm not a big fan of pickles, but my daughter's boyfriend is. He bought some spicy pickles after the owner of Sunchowder's Emporia let him try a sample. She had a variety of homemade jams, chutneys, and pickles (even pickled okra) at her outside stand. I'm a huge fan of jam; my next trip to the market, I'm going to buy at least one jar! Many other products were for sale at various stands both inside and out. There were flowers and plants in abundance, but I'm spoiled now from living in the Netherlands, where flowers are very inexpensive! I found the money tree an interesting looking plant though, and enjoyed finding an explanation when we visited the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot in Disney World the following week. |
4. Food
My son and his girlfriend ordered some scrumptious fries from the Fry Bar NOLA stand; we watched them hand toss the fries with parmesan and herbs. There was a line at the stand until they ran out of fries, two customers after us! Thank goodness my son decided to join the line when he did! We found a cute little bench behind one of the vendors selling plants so that we could sit and enjoy! We all recommend them! |
5. Park Avenue
When you finish at the market, you're not done yet. I dropped off my purchases at the car, and then we continued our morning together by walking along Park Avenue (no, not New York, still Winter Park) just a block from the market. My favorite store that morning was The Spice &Tea Exchange. Located at one end of Park, you could easily miss it, but please don't. The display inside is a delight to the eyes and nose! I bought three different teas and four different spices to bring back with me to the Netherlands--my favorite, Florida Sunshine Spice Blend! The name says it all!
The Winter Park Farmers' Market is held on Saturdays from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. We arrived after 10, and though busy, there was definitely room to maneuver among the various stands and food trucks there. Definitely plan time to walk along Park Avenue, and even relax in the park--yes it is "Park" Avenue! Who will you meet at the market?