Farmer's Market Sweets at Home

Posted by Caroline Wright

Oh, Maine. It was perfect.

We had beautiful weather, and were staying in a tiny fishing town where the connection to food and tradition was so strong I was giddy at every meal.

And, in the brief pauses between feasting on seafood, my family and I enjoyed delicious homemade desserts and fresh produce from local farmers' markets.

The Rockland farmers' market was the best way to start our Thursdays. There, we found a bake stand with an array of irresistible cookies: chocolate chip, oatmeal apricot, and chewy ginger. We nibbled on these cookies in the afternoons to refuel from our adventures on the lobster boat.

To re-create those favorites, I think I'll look to our Chocolate Chunk Cookies, and use a 1/4 cup scoop to measure them (and be sure to adjust the baking time!).

I noticed that a recipe from "The Martha Stewart Show looked similar to the oatmeal apricot cookies -- Chewy Cherry-Oatmeal Cookies (I'll substitute some chopped, dried apricots for the cherries).

Although a bit different, our Giant Ginger Cookies will remind me of the chewy, ginger goodness of those I found in Rockland. Give them a try and see for yourself.

The produce at the Rockland farmer's market stole most of my attention. We found some beautiful fresh peas and bought the lot.

After shelling the five pounds of peas, we briefly sauteed them to accompany a piece of impeccably fresh, grilled haddock. Since we were so lucky to get our hands on such fresh peas, we didn't want to mask their flavor!

If you find some of your own, a recipe like Sauteed Peas and Red Onion would be a perfect way to celebrate their fresh flavor and texture.

Are there any food souvenirs you've tried this summer that you're dying to re-create?

Comments

[Jessica]

looks delicious...I love that jar

[Cakespy]

There are no whoopie pies (isn't that the maine specialty?) but gosh, I didn't even miss 'em with such a gorgeous spread! They make me nostalgic for my favorite shore treats by the NJ shore where I grew up: fat cookies, especially the "Chinese" cookie which I have never quite known why they have that name.