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Health & Fitness

A Day At the Market

Oswego's Country Market offers something for everyone, young and old.

Yesterday was the grand Re-Opening of the .  With much anticipation, I woke up and gathered my family to head on down.  As promised, this year was filled with vendors, new and old, ready to share in baked goods, produce, crafts, and other tasty edibles.

As I walked down the aisles, packed with local residents – and several friends, I was amazed at just how far our little Country Market has grown.  I think it was four years ago that I came out on opening Sunday, and walked away a little saddened, hoping someday that it would grow in to the market I missed from my days living in Wheaton and Naperville.  And sure enough, look at it now!

I actually had to pace myself, wanting to buy nearly everything on the produce tables.  I had to keep in mind that I could just come back next Sunday to buy fresh goods, instead of risking the produce going bad on me.  But standing there, in an open air market – I might as well have been 7 years old and standing in the middle of Peace's Candy shop, back home where I grew up.  It was about equal to that moment. 

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Asparagus, not one - but two varieties, sat waiting in a basket.  Plump portabella mushrooms screamed for swipe of oil, salt and a hot grill.  Cauliflower in purple and white, fingerling potatoes, beautiful red peppers, leeks and scallions – all ready to be cut and roasted together.  Fresh fennel, cilantro, dill - my senses were overwhelmed with joy.  Pints of berries in multiple varieties sat near cherries, and other fruits ripe for canning or homemade pies.

And if you don’t bake or can, no problem – there’s a booth nearby where strawberry-rhubarb oozes through the center of home baked treats, and plump peach pies are there for purchase, too.  Another vendor is offering canned preserves in just about every combination you could dream of, which is great if you want to think beyond sandwiches to consider gourmet glazes for grilling season or ice cream toppers.  And who could resist eggs fresh from the farm?  Not me.

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Just around the corner Mediterranean olives of every variety and combination await.  Homemade tapenade in green and black, and a checklist of hummus flavors for the choosing – make sure to grab a bag of pita to toss on the grill to top it all up with.  The owners will even let you sample a taste if you’re not sure how “HOT” the spicy olives are.  But having been raised in a partially East/Indian household, I would say they’re more like a mild tickle.  Then again, you might not want to trust me on that.  I had also inquired about feta cheese, and was informed that the last bit had been sold just before I walked up.  I kind of cried inside when she delivered that news to me.  Whoever the lucky customer was, cheers to you, but I’ll be there earlier next week.

Before we left my husband stopped by the Mini-Donuts vendor with my youngest son to pick up a little 'second breakfast'.  He watched in amazement as the machine cranked out the little gemmed wonders.  It was as if his little world just got a bit brighter.  I hadn't eaten yet, hoping to try an omelet at the market, unfortunately they were sold out.  That's okay - Village Grind to the Rescue with a delicious slice of quiche, complete with melons and a cup of French Roast Coffee.

Thank you to everyone involved in making this year's opening day a success! 

If you went to the market Sunday, please share your experience below.  Did you take your family, go alone, or run into friends?  Did you buy anything to cook, eat there, or pick up crafts?  What was your best moment of the day?

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