Taco Trucks and Tonics

On Saturdays Per and I had tacos at the winter market. The line-up and wait wasn't too bad, especially considering it was close to noon. (He slept in, not me!)


You get a choice of two tacos for just under $7. We both got a pulled pork one and the black bean and sweet potato option. I preferred the pulled pork with its eye-popping purple slaw. The vegetarian option tasted a bit soapy to me. I was wishing for three tacos with less filling so they would be easier to shovel in without getting sauce dribbled down your arm. I don't like over-stuffed tacos. Do you? I know, I'm being picky. The pulled pork taco was awesome. They put the salsa on for you, which also bugged me.

We admired the eggs and watched the market folk as we ate our tacos. You know what ticked me off? There were people standing because of a lack of chairs and just as we were leaving a woman who had been sitting and eating took her bags off a chair. We all assumed it was being saved by someone in line. How rude.

It's that time of the year when forced cheerfulness can quickly turn sour. I have a tickle in my throat, so I am feeling particularly moody and vulnerable. Tonight I made an awesome funky winter tonic. Please do not try this at home. It has: ginseng, linden blossom tea, propolis honey, acai juice, fresh ginger, a bit of "wise woman tea" that tastes absolutely awful, apple cider vinegar and cranberry to mask the taste. I hope this vile rocket fuel blasts away the cooties.

Winter Market Day

Going up to the market has become a date for Per and I. Although he is very focused and just wants to buy and leave, whereas I like to hang around a bit and just enjoy the scene.

We bought lots of dried fruit today, tuna, apples, and pears and we waited in the longest line at the market for Pure Bread. It has really caught on.

I love the Seriously Seedy loaf, with its perfectly chewy crust and nutty, moist crumb. It's perfect with a slab of cold butter. That was my lunch. It's worth waiting in line for. However, the "Adult Only" chocolate cookie is a complete fail. It didn't taste freshly baked to me.

It's fun to people watch at the market. This winter I've really noticed the gap between the wealthy and not-so wealthy. I've seen selected people wearing ostentatious jackets that are obviously new and say "Hey, look here, I'm dear." Whereas a lot of other people are wearing their plain old winter coats that say "Hey, I may not look fancy, but I do the job." What? Outerwear doesn't speak to you? Just put your ear up to a pocket and wish very hard.

Klippers has their usual selection of awesome apples.


Their squash collection continues to fascinate me.


Some people just can't let go of that Christmas joy and a sleigh pulled by eight tiny polar bears.

Farmer's Market Bliss

This is the kind of thing you really want to see at a farmer's market. The tamale vendors were very cheerful and friendly and the market itself is very laid back and casual. Designer dogs seemed to be a real status symbol here, but they were all very well behaved and kept on short leashes.

The musical entertainment was also kept from misbehaving by keeping them in this little red trailer.

The smell of saurkraut on a hot dog was so tempting, but we were just about to head off to Comox to The Avenue for lunch, so I abstained.

I bought some fireweed honey from Big D's Bees. It's very delicate, almost clear in color and runny.

Back at the cabin, we dined on crepes with hazelnut chocolate spreads--one local one from BC and an organic one from Italy. I like the local spread because the nuts are not as finely ground, so it has a creamy/crunchy texture.

This is where we bought a live crab and some barely alive spot prawns. They were on ice, slightly twitchy. Ideally they would have been kept live in tanks but we couldn't find anywhere that sold them like that.

Chef Pierre sautés garlic with panko crumbs and then quickly pan fries the prawns just until they are cooked. They are really big and juicy this year. Notice the glasses of "Woo Pop" we buy from Hazelmere Farms at the market. (It's carbonated raspberry and sour cherry juice.)