This Weeks Urban Guy and Woman’s Take from the Farmers’ Market (tomatoes and watermelon unavailable at photo time)
One of the hazards I could not have imagined over two years ago when I began writing this blog was that the extraordinary would become ordinary and topics once discussed would fade from my awareness. Also, once I’ve written about it a certain amount of times, what’s new to say? And while my established readers have heard me wax eloquent (or at least get long-winded) about the topic, my newer readers may not have dug up the info in the archives.
Vegetables at the Market Square Farmers’ Market, Knoxville, August 2012
Patrons Select Vegetables at the Market Square Farmers’ Market, Knoxville, August 2012
The Market Square Farmer’s Market is one of the most extraordinary and wonderful realities in our city. Fresh vegetables just blocks from home, music, friends, crafts, great coffee and food; what more could a body ask? I’ve written about it before, but this week I tried to look at the Market with fresh eyes and I realized a lot has changed. The great, fresh vegetables we love and all the things mentioned above are still present, but there is more.
Peppers of every variety, Market Square Farmers’ Market, Knoxville, August 2012
Bruce Bogartz (photo from http://www.rouxbarbfood.com/)
One of the shifts is that more prepared food is offered. Rouxbarb Chef Bruce Bogartz makes an appearance with his interesting culinary offerings every Saturday morning. He told me it started as an odd idea and it has become one of his favorite things to do every week. Jason Mitchell with Pop Culture has become a fixture at both the Saturday and Wednesday markets with his real fruit popsicles. The Sweet and Savory Truck generally shows up to offer their great wares. I believe we may find a new cart of fresh pies available, soon.
Cruze Farms Indian Menu, Knoxville, August 2012
Paneer and Grits, Cruze Farms, August 2012
Cruze Farms now offers, from their food truck, perhaps oddly, Indian food with a southern twist. Urban Woman and I finally got to sample it this past Saturday and we had a delicious, filling meal that fell somewhere in the ocean between Calcutta and Alabama. We both ate the “Paneer and Grits,” which involves a cubed cheese, grits and a sauce that tastes like gumbo roux with Indian spices added. It came with a beautiful slice of tomato. We’ll be back next week to try another dish.
Young Cruze Farms Worker shares some love with her ice cream, Knoxville, August 2012
Cruze Farms Food Tent, Market Square Farmers’ Market, Knoxville, August 2012
Of course, it’s still about the vegetables. We’re taking advantage of the high season of farm production. I hope you are, too. The winter will come before you know it and we’ll be longing for that good okra, corn and those delicious peas. See you at the market.
The Finished Product, Food from the Market Square Farmers’ Market, Knoxville, August 2012
I’ll have to try the Indian/Southern food. Sounds good. Those Cruze Farm girls are good marketers.
I’m becoming addicted to the stand that sells cookies and other sweets out of white boxes. They have good stuff.
There was a time when I blurted out: “Downtown Knoxville needs a really good Indian restaurant” half way fearing that my opinion would be met with upturned noses and sneers or a vacant stare. Instead, everyone seems to respond “Yeah! Downtown really needs Indian food.” Imagine my delight in finding the excellent little lunches that the Cruze truck is offering at the Saturday Farmers’ Market. The food is great at a reasonable price.
While I still feel that there is a substantial opportunity for a really good Indian restaurant downtown (not those mediocre buffets found elsewhere), I can at least get my fix on Saturday. Perhaps, the Cruze folks would consider…?
I agree. What I’d love to see next on the restaurant front in downtown is a real growth in ethnic foods of all sorts. I’m not sure that’s in Cruze Farms’ business plans, but somebody should do it.
Wonderful photographs! The food looks fantastic.
You’re right- we’ll be missing these summer delights sooner than we think.
Pie…finally!
I sure do like the looks of the paneer and grits. It was so good to read an article about vegetables which were not referred to as “veggies”. I had not known until recently the slang term for vegetables came about in 1955. I had thought it was more recent.
Lately ive been thinking on how the Market Square Farmers Market is my favorite thing about Knoxville. I go first thing Saturday morning. I start with coffee & conversation with Jeff of Three Bears Coffee ( Threebearscoffee.com ) then go tho Cruze Farm’s “Milk Bar” for breakfast. My son and I absolutely love their food, and can’t imagine eating anywhere else. After I am caffenated and full, I go visit all my farmer friends and grocery shop for the week. Over the last couple of years I’ve come to know many of the people who vend and visit the market. Our market is world class, and deserves recognition. Thanks for e great write up, Urban Guy.