We have successfully returned from New Mexico. Friends have been partied with and married off. Green chile, red chile and honeyed sopaipillas have been eaten in copious amounts. Gruet winery stock is most certainly up. But the 105°F thermometer readings tell me that we’re squarely back in Austin. Or possibly the sun.
The trip, as expected, was seriously awesome. So instead of letting my shoes melt to the sidewalk or seeing if I can remove my fingerprints by grabbing my steering wheel, I thought I’d tell you about some prime Santa Fe action.
So many smudge sticks. So Santa Fe.
One of the best parts of this adobe covered New Mexican town is its sweet farmers’ market. It has new digs in a recently built throwback industrial space called the Railyard. The overflow of June vendors put our December experience to shame.
Even though I love it, every time we travel and explore local markets, it kind of feels like I’m rifling through a neighbor’s drawers. I mean some stuff is familiar but they always have so many different and unusual things. (Not that I go through my neighbors’ drawers. Sheesh. They totally keep their doors locked.)
I loved all of the cherries that are in season. Most people had these tiny, tart, bright red, pie cherries.
But occasionally we came across some plump, sweet, Rainiers.
The bakers that set up shop are amazing. This olive and sage flower loaf almost came back with us.
The other varieties may not have been as showy but they sure were tasty as hell.
Speaking of which, the Railyard market excels at samples. You could have several full meals here just grazing at the stalls.
The problem is that all too often once you taste it you just can’t stop yourself from buying huge sacks of it. Or maybe that’s just me.
For instance, this pistachio farm (seriously impressive nuts by the way) makes a hot green chile pistachio brittle that made me tear up a little. Not from heat but from pure deliciousness. Only now I have to figure out what to do with 28 pounds of spicy brittle. Poor me.
This raspberry jam stall had out about a half dozen varieties with crazy flavors like raspberry-red chile-ginger. Rachel is still upset that the airlines have a weight limit on bags.
Yak rocky mountain oysters? Waste not want not I suppose...
My favorite samples were from the yak meat lady. That’s right. Yak meat. She had yak stew and yak stroganoff and both were delicious. She ships, so I have a feeling we’ll be having a yak party sometime in the near future. Feel free to send my all of your yak related ideas. I just love saying yak.
Yak.
Best sign ever.
Continuing with the odd animal theme, I was dying to try these adorable guinea eggs. We get duck, turkey, and goose around here but this was my first sighting of these little guys.
I also had never heard of tansy before and haven’t seen it in the Austin markets either. I’ll keep my eyes peeled though because apparently, in addition to repelling fleas it’s also good for preventing intestinal worms and is quite delicious in an omelet or muddled with sugar and served with whiskey. Truly amazing how one plant can address so many of my needs.
As we were leaving, I was impressed by this fund raising sign. Could there be a more perfect combination. From now on, instead of saying two things go together like peas and carrots, I’ll have a much more apt analogy.
-Logan
1607 Paseo De Peralta
Santa Fe, NM 87501-3723
(505) 983-4098
I MUST visit that car wash.
Posted by: maryn | Tuesday, 30 June 2009 at 21:28
When I was in Santa Fe last year I didn't see this market, unfortunately. It would have been nice! :( Not sure I'll get back that far north this summer, but thanks for pointing it out.
Posted by: Sara, Ms. Adventures in Italy | Wednesday, 01 July 2009 at 03:07
[sigh]
There's no place like home, there's no place like home... dangit! Still in Austin. ;)
Posted by: Crystal | Wednesday, 01 July 2009 at 12:47
Welcome back! Love the guinea hen eggs snap!
Posted by: Ling | Thursday, 02 July 2009 at 08:33
Maryn- no kidding right?
Sara- It's definitely worth the trip if you're in the area.
Crystal- You're just not trying hard enough.
Ling- The day I got back my friend totally pulled out a dozen guinea hen eggs from the Austin Market. I guess I spoke too soon...
Posted by: Logan @ Boots in the Oven | Sunday, 05 July 2009 at 16:08