A morning at the Farmer's Market

in Cooking Like a Kiwi by Lauren Ingebrand — April 12, 2010 at 12:41 am | 0 comments

By Lauren Ingebrand

AmesEats Flavors blogger

Every Saturday morning in Dunedin there is the Otago Farmers Market next to the train station.  Nothing is better than waking up to the morning sun and strolling through the beautiful city in brisk air to buy fresh wholesome foods.  Only let’s be serious here.  That almost never actually happens, even in New Zealand.  It is more like roll out of bed with a headache from last night’s partying, stumble outside and realize it’s raining and windy, and walk what feels like 10 miles through the beer bottle littered streets.  So why do I go?  Because the food is to die for!

I haven’t lived here long but I’ve already become a regular.  The fresh vegetables are my favorite.  The have tomatoes, potatoes, corn, carrots, croquettes, capsicum (bell pepper), squash, and many others.  It seems so strange to see fall fruits and vegetables available in March but I am definitely taking advantage of it.  If you’re lucky you can get the last of the summer berries too.  They also have fish, meats, and breads.  One week I treated myself to a delicious jam crêpe.  They have fresh coffee and baked goods in case you get hungry while shopping.  Last week I tried some Lebanese foods such as a fried dough flatbread and stuffed vine leaf rolls.  Both were bold, flavorful and delicious.

The Otago Farmers Market continues outdoors all year round, possible because of the mild climate.  Unfortunately this will never happen in Iowa but you might be surprised to find out that there is an Ames farmers market all year round.  The indoor market happens every week Thursday from 2pm to 7pm, Friday 2pm to 7pm, and Saturday 8am to 1pm.  The Seasonal Outdoor Market starts Saturday May 1^st this year and continues until Saturday October 30^th.  Each week it happens Thursday from 2pm to 7pm and Saturday 8am to 1pm.  The market is located at 526 Main Street, which is the Main Street Train Station.  Buy local, buy fresh, buy from the Ames Farmers Market!