A bustling farmers’ market in late summer might be one of the most beautiful places in the world to me. I’m enthralled by the rows of red, pink, yellow and orange tomatoes, still warm from the sun. The smell of freshly cut herbs, twine bows around their stems, resting in a shady corner. Pink mountains of peaches gradually shrinking as shoppers fill their bags with the aromatic fruit. And crates of sweet corn waiting to be snatched up and grilled, steamed or turned into creamy soup.
The weekends that I’m in town, my Saturday usually begins with a trip to the Arlington Courthouse Farmers’ Market where I challenge myself to put together a meal exclusively from items purchased at the market. Below was last Saturday night’s dinner.
Summer tomatoes, sugar baby watermelon, arugula & feta cheese. Dressed with balsamic vinegar and olive oil
Pork & tarragon sausages topped with grilled onions and poblano peppers
Chicken liver pâté served with a warm baguette
Ok, I cheated a little by serving a pâté that I had made the day before, along with a baguette from Whole Foods. There is a stand selling some pretty damn fantastic bread at the market, (I’m a sucker for their potato bread). However this particular pâté was inspired by Peter Mayle’s Encore Provence, and thus demanded a French baguette be partnered with it. Can’t argue with that logic.
This simple meal took only 10 minutes in the kitchen, and 15 at the grill… who can’t spare that kind of time?
Mr. Sweetums… looking for a little love and perhaps a taste of the pork sausage
Persimmons & Chestnuts 
Is that Sweetums? Ahhh! And I’m with you on the Farmers Markets, a treat everytime.