Farmers Market Merchants Wouldn't Mind A Bigger Market

I finally made it back to the Ridgewood Farmer's Market this weekend.  After purchasing a beautiful pumpkin (more about that later), whole grain bread, smoked mozzerella,  and some tiny, sweet pears, I stashed it all in my car and went back to satisfy my curiousity.  

I asked several of the vendors how they would feel about the market getting bigger.  Although I did not ask all of them, because I didn't want to interrupt their selling, those I spoke with said virtually the same thing:  as long as the vendors did not duplicate what was already there, a larger variety would only enhance the market and bring in more customers for them.  They especially seemed to like the idea of a musician or small group to provide entertainment while people shopped.

In a lovely moment of serendipity, a woman who was standing behind me as I conducted my informal poll, interrupted us to ask if we ever read the Patch becuase there was a writer talking about this very subject on there.  "That's ME,"  I told her. It was nice meeting you, Elizabeth! 

So, I will continue this dialogue with all of you, as I investigate further the possiblities of expansion.

Now, about that pumpkin.  I intend to make an intriguing recipe from the ladies at Canal House.  It was featured in this month's Bon Appetit and involves roasting a whole pumpkin filled with broth, herbs and asiago cheese.  The idea is a sort of deconstructed pumpkin soup with broth, chunks of roasted pumpkin, and melty cheese.  I'll let you know how it turns out.  It certainly is soup weather!