More Farmer's Market Finds

Lordy lordy it's starting to get hot. I think the high today is supposed to be 94 degrees. Well, I think it hadn't gotten to 94 by the time I made it to the Downtown Phoenix Public Market, but it almost felt like it. There are so many new vendors since I've been last. I've typically been going to the Wednesday Town and Country market since it works better for my schedule but today my 10-month-old son and I trekked down to McKinley and 1st.

I'm so excited for the new indoor market that is planned for later this Summer. I think the indoors part with help with keeping the produce nice and fresh looking and the market goers less sweaty.

Today I found some really great items. I don't know about you but I open and taste all the new stuff I get from the market/grocery store. I just love trying new things. All of what I picked up was great.

First was my usual farmer cheese from Rainbow Valley. I guess this one isn't new but rather a required pick up. This cheese is so refreshing (if you can even describe cheese this way - maybe it's just because it's so hot out and the cheese is always so creamy and cold) but this is the best just served straight on crackers. All the flavors are incredibly tasty but I usually go for the Italian flavored one. I see now that you can choose between lowfat and full fat. Full fat all the way, right? Especially when this is such a great treat.

Next, I picked up some apple butter for my son's baby sandwiches with cream cheese. This apple butter is just scrumptious. It's not pureed completely smooth, it's not chunky either. It just has a smooth consistency but with texture. It has a wonderful warm and spicy aroma and it's a little tangy. Just love this. Please pick up some of the Cotton Country Jam's jars of anything soon. You'll be glad you did.

I also picked up some great dates. No, not a date like that. But some medjool dates from a company that heads out from Dateland, Sonoran Date Palms. Dateland is that place on the way to Yuma that advertises date shakes. I still haven't had a date shake but I am always in the mood for a date. My son loved itthem too! These dates aren't sickeningly sweet but the kind of dates you can just eat and eat. They don't fall apart in your hands or are too sticky. These are the kinds of dates I like to eat. I also want to mention that even though they are a new company, they've already gotten their organic certification. Yowza. That's costly and time consuming. I am really impressed. I think I'm going to make some date bars for me and my son. Or heck, my own date shake.

Lastly I stopped by this great cookie both. Grandma Sweetiepie's. I took a bite while driving home. I'd tried to wait to share with my husband together, but I couldn't. Sorry sweetie. This is a dang good cookie. I got the white chocolate variety. All the cookies have M&M's in them but then switch up the chips - chocolate chip, butterscotch, white chocolate and so on. So different. I really liked them.
The produce was practically gone by the time I arrived (boo on baby's morning nap:)) but I was able to snag some shelling peas and fennel and herbs. I can't wait to try the peas, I've not gotten them fresh before. What a treat.