There can be fewer happier and more diverse places in North America than the Saturday Farmers Market in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Jammed with people from all over the world, happy to be meeting friends, buying a variety of organic, locally grown produce and assorted foodstuffs and chowing down on international dishes. HG bought sauerkraut, weisswurst and Black Forest ham from the Taylor’s meat counter. The local company offers more than three dozen varieties of sausage and serves them grilled on a toasted bun from busy indoor and outdoor stands. Lots of other good things to eat: HG had three tasty oysters from New London Bay. Then, a crisp chicken and vegetable spring roll from a Chinese couple who also cook a savory bowl of noodles. Other stands sell Polish pierogi and stuffed cabbage; Indian samosas; Middle East falafel and pita wraps; Mexican burritos; Japanese salads. A very jolly African woman prepares big dishes of spicy chicken, rice and African vegetable stews. There are stands with Island grown beef, lamb and chicken for home cooking. There’s a vendor of good Nova Scotia smoked salmon (with a bow to Noo Yawk, he prepares slices on a bagel with cream cheese.) HG/BSK buy their ground espresso from the coffee man who stocks some two dozen beans from all over the world (he has special rapport with HG/BSK’s son-in-law, Profesore Massimo R., whom he recognizes as a member of the true coffee intelligentsia). For folks who like sweets, there are eight stands with cookies, pastries and chocolates (including one stand that sells interesting Indian sweets). Kids love the stand that employs a fairly wondrous machine that turns out freshly fried little doughnut balls dusted with powdered sugar and the Dutch stand that offers a rich confection of waffle-like pastry, chocolate sauce and whipped cream. While HG was busy noshing and chatting with friends, BSK was selecting sweet corn, kale, tomatoes, greens, etc. and visiting the cheese stand for Island-made gouda and the spice lady for smoked Spanish paprika. And, like any gathering on PEI, there’s always live music at the Market. This time it was a talented young woman fiddler. The vivid lass had bright blue hair. A bit startling, but that’s show biz.
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