It’s hard not to notice the frenzy on Saturday mornings at Carrboro Town Commons, in the parking lot of University Mall and up at the newly built pavilion off Margaret Lane in Hillsborough.
These are peak times for local farmers’ markets – a time when veteran marketeers and newbies mix it up in pursuit of the bounty of the high point of the growing season.
The lull in mid-June as the early-season crops faded and the summer season crops matured is long gone. The list in the regular Citizen feature What’s at Market (page 7 in the regular issue this week) is getting almost too lengthy to publish.
Drawing extra attraction recently have been events solidifying even further the connection between local food and local chefs.
There have been occasional cooking demos in the past, but this year the smell of sautéing vegetables and the sound of slicing and dicing are almost a given. The Carrboro Farmers’ Market has started a culinary series featuring local chefs demonstrating ways to cook various theme vegetables.
And it’s not always the pros participating. Last month, the South Estes Farmers’ Market sponsored a series of cooking competitions.
This week, both South Estes and Eno River are getting in the spirit of grilling season at their July 3 markets with how-tos and tips.
To keep up with these and other events or to get the basics on location, times and mid-week markets, visit the following websites:
carrborofarmersmarket.com
southestesfarmersmarket.com
enoriverfarmersmarket.com
