Famers, Markets, Maple Butter

I thought I knew farmers markets. I am here to tell you, I knew nothing. Madisonians (that's their official title) brag about their farmers market, but everything I'd heard was an under estimation. The capital of the great state of Wisconsin is surrounded in a stall after stall of produce stands. And the produce is huge! Beets the size of your head; stalks of Brussel sprouts, and piles and piles of radishes, corn, califlowers, and more.

Scattered throughout the market were stands with Wisconin maple syrup, flowers, honey, and baked goods. Let me tell you something, maple butter: yes, yes, yes. My only sadness, in this sea of freshly grown majesty, was that I never found the crossiants at Cafe Sole, and the coffee stands were all clumped together in one corner of the market. I had to circumnavigate the entire square before getting my buzz with a cafe au lait from a stand near State street.

I ate a Whoopie Pie for breakfast (though, I think the Iowa-Amish do this classic dessert better), and bought 3 enormous bags of basil (Billy's in charge of making the pesto) and, of course, the maple butter. I've had to have several serious conversations with myself about not eating that maple butter with a spoon.

While there are all sorts of issues associated with farmers markets (some of the food is not as local as we'd like), it does have two benefits. First, we rise and shine on a Saturday, meet our neighbors, and amble around the square like villagers of long ago. Second, all those vegetables are just too tempting to pass up. Even if we slather that basil in oil and cheese and nuts, we are still eating vegetables from local sources.

For all you questers out there working on better eating, the trip to beautiful Madison might be worth your while.