Cyndy at the Farmers’ Market in Kirkwood checking out some tomatoes. The Orange Dew melons in the foreground, a hybrid cross between a cantaloupe and a honeydew, come from California. They’re incredibly sweet and refreshing. Make sure to include one in your cart!
Masked Up and Ready to Shop
Any business that can operate outdoors or curbside has an advantage during these COVID-fearing times. Cyndy and I made a mid-week trip to the outdoor Kirkwood Farmers’ Market recently. The first sign you see upon approaching the market reads: “Masks Mandatory.” And, sure enough, every shopper and clerk was in compliance.
The outdoor market located just east of the train station has been around for the last 44 years and knows a thing or two about farm produce. But they also sell plants, cut flowers, Christmas trees, Halloween pumpkins, firewood, baked goods, cheese, pickles, jellies, meats, nuts, soap and more
On a Peachy Mission
Yessss!! Found ’em.
This day I was on a mission to find peaches. They had several varieties. I told the clerk, “I want the juiciest ones you’ve got. I want the juice to run up my arm when I bite into the peach.” He pointed out his favorite variety and said I could count on the juice to drip off my elbow. I placed a box in my cart.
By the time Cyndy and I got through pinching peaches, thumping melons, and sniffing baked goods we had far more items than we intended: melons, blueberries, bananas, sugar snap peas, corn, tomatoes, chow chow. Cyndy also got some pluots and said they brimmed with sweetness! They’re 75% plum and 25% apricot.
Pluots—3/4’s plum and 1/4 apricot and 100% delicious!
Peach perfect!
The Pandemic Shopper
I love this little street side market. Parking is easy, clerks are helpful and friendly, and food is fresh and well-stocked. I’m sure the place is a lot more hectic on weekends with even more vendors and shoppers. But Tuesday afternoon it was just right with plenty of space to social distance and no lines.
I’ve not been to a grocery store for the last 4 months. Instead, I’ve looked to my kids and Instacart to do my shopping. This outing made life seem a bit more normal.
Market Hours: Mon-Fri 9a-6p; Sat 8a-5p; Sun 10a-5p.
Corn as it should be!
Cyndy bags some of the bi-colored corn from the ice-filled display.
Cyndy knew I was looking for chow-chow. She found it among the many condiments sold at the market. I used some in my tuna salad the next day.
The next time I’m at the farm, I need to check out the blackberries that grow alongside the road.
King Tut tomatoes from Columbia, MO—though King Tut might roll over in his pyramid at seeing his name on a tomato and spelled wrong, at that.
At home with my box of Fancy Tree Ripened Peaches. Yes, the juice dripped off my elbows!
My blueberry-peach cobbler. All’s well that ends well.
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