Fresh Ontario and Holland Marsh grown produce, fabulous sauces, dips and dressings by Everything Maple & More, farm-fresh eggs, local honey, the artisanal cheeses of Say Cheese!, natural meats of Coldcreek Stock Co., and fine European-style prosciuttos and salamis of Speziale Fine Foods were all on the menu at the Bradford Farmers’ Market Saturday morning, which was bustling.
But talk was already turning to the upcoming Butter Tart Festival, scheduled for Sept. 15.
Almost every vendor at the market will create a butter tart for the event, from traditional plain, raisin or pecan, to outrageous creations that include ingredients like habanero peppers and bacon.
Tammy Jackson of Sweet Annabella’s, a regular contestant in the Midland Butter Tart Festival that attracts thousands to that town, already has a list of “favourites” that she’ll be making: brown butter raisin, Maple pecan, pumpkin, bacon, smoked bourbon apple, S’mores, and Skor. But she is still working on something ‘special.’
“I have to think of what “wow!” I’m going to bring. Maple pistachio?” she wondered aloud.
The Polish Baker, Ryszard Surdyk, is only planning to bring two types of butter tart – traditional “and one solid, non-traditional, crazy, outside-the-tent butter tart.”
What will that be? “It’s top secret. People have to come to the Butter Tart Festival and see what I’ve come up with.”
But come early on Sept. 15 because the butter tarts just may sell out.
The Bradford Farmers’ Market takes place outside the Bradford Public Library at 425 Holland St. W. every Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., with an array of vendors, delicious prepared foods, and live entertainment.
The final day for the outdoor market is Oct. 6, celebrating both Thanksgiving and a Harvest Festival. It also serves as a thank you to shoppers for their support.
This year, seven indoor market dates have been scheduled, taking place inside the BWG Public Library: Nov. 3, 10, 17 and 24, Dec. 1, 15, and the Christmas market on Dec. 22.
