Masonville Farmer's Market

I know that when I posted yesterday I had mentioned that my next post would be the 3rd leg of the back-to-school snack saga. I do still plan on writing that post but was compelled to write about the Masonville Farmer's Market instead.

I had the day off from work today. This meant that I was able to check out the Friday morning market just outside Masonville Mall. This was my second visit EVER. I really do wish that I was able to check it out more often though. It's definitely my favorite London market.

It's my favorite because all of the vendors are either local farmers, are selling fair trade, or are selling goods that they have prepared themselves. And, although it's a small market there is a lot of variety available. There's a vendor selling pork, another selling fair trade coffee beans, another selling cheese, and yet another selling baked goods and breads.

A vendor that caught my interest today was a young man from Lo Maximo Meats (Kent Bridge, ON). I had read about him on Kelly's blog (see: http://www.eatlocallondon.com/2010/09/lo-maximo-latin-bbq.html ) and was happy to speak with him today as well.


I bought some plain 'ol sausages from him but was too fearful to try any of the latin-style cuts that he had. He's got tongue (lengua) and nuca (neck bones) as well as many others. I did, however, sample some of his chimichurri sauce (latin parsley sauce) with some beef patti pieces that he was cooking. It was delicious. Although I wouldn't know what to do with any of the latin meats I did tell him that I knew of a few people who would be definitely interested in them and that I would pass on his list of meats.

Lo Maximo is at the Masonville Farmer's Market every Friday until October and at the Western Fair Market every other Saturday.

Other items that I picked up today were some breakfast sausages from Bacon Acre Farm, a basket of peaches, some whole wheat tortillas and tortilla chips from Dewit Family Produce, a bunch of green beans, mini chicken/vegetable pies, a cauliflower, a loaf of multi-grain bread, apples, my favorite garlic spread from Hensall, ON, raspberries, and some really cool seasoned salt. The salt is a mixture of sea salt, bay, basil, rosemary, thyme, garlic, paprika, dry mustard, garlic powder, and dill. It smells delicious. It'll be great on some roasted vegetables I'm sure!

Anyways, I had a great day off from work today. It was nice to make it to the Masonville Market today. I was also able to treat myself to a Starbucks coffee (Grande Non-Fat Toffee Mocha) and also made my weekly trip to Heemans for some strawberries.

As a result of being able to visit the market today I will be able to stay home tomorrow morning rather than doing my usual market run. I will, however, go to the Western Fair market on Sunday. Yes, on Sunday!!! The Western Fair market is open every day of the Western Fair Sept 10-19 until 9pm every day. Awesome!!