Taste of the Farmers' Market

This morning:

Salumeria di Carlo: Spicy Italian Sausage Sandwich. Was so spicy that my eyes were watering which was fine because it was cold and they would probably have watered anyway. But. There's nothing better than eating this in the cold. Mmmmm. Warms you right up! Thumbs up. $5.00

Two Tarts: Chocolate chip Fleur de Sel cookie, Li'l Mama cookie. The Li'l Mama cookie is a homemade oreo cookie that they just started making. Chocolate crispy cookie + buttercream. Do you really need me to tell you how this tastes? YUM. $.75+$.75 = $1.50

Pearl Bakery: Sourdough baguette. So fresh. So fabulous $3.00

Jacob's Creamery: Olive Cream Cheese. This stuff is made differently from normal cream cheese - it has less whey in it. I don't know exactly what that means, except that this stuff is awesome - smooth, creamy, chunks of salty, tart olives. $4.25

Portland Farmers Market (PSU South Park Blocks)

I really don't know why I have never been to the Portland Farmers Market before last Saturday. I'm almost embarrassed to say it. I who loves Portland. I who loves food. I who loves to see new and exciting things in Portland especially when it has to do with food. I have never been to the Portland Farmers Market (before last week).

I think I might have been afraid of the parking situation. But that's silly. We found parking not even a block away, on the street. I think I might have been afraid that I would buy too much and wouldn't be able to carry it to my car. That's silly too. They have a Veggie Valet. There are really no excuses. Especially since it's 5 minutes from my house.

The colors, the smells, the people. It all blends together like an expertly painted watercolor. If I hadn't been so famously good at sticking to my new diet, I would have eaten the homemade gourmet ice cream sandwiches, with honey lavender ice cream on a something-herby-cookie. Or had a tamale from Salvador Molly's. Or a giant biscuit from one of the stations selling breakfast. But the smells were almost as good as eating. Almost.

I bought luscious yellow cherry tomatoes and tie-dyed red and green peppers. I could have bought so much more. But I was famously good at sticking to my new budget last Saturday.

This coming Saturday, I will not be famously good. Unless I alter my budget to accomodate my now weekly trip to the market.

On Sunday I am having a few people over for dinner to celebrate the upcoming marriage of my friend, who is moving to Mexico to be with her soon-to-be-husband. So I thought I would go to the market and buy lots of fresh things and make the following menu:

Southwestern Turkey Sliders with Lime and Cilantro Sour Cream

Mexican Purple Potato Salad

Fresh Tomato Salsa and Chips

Fig, Proscuitto and Sheep's Cheese Quesadillas

My friend Jen is going to make Tres Leches cake to top it off.

Do you think my soon to be wedded friend will like it? I can only hope so. Oh! And I forgot drinks. We are going to do something clever and Mexican. Just not sure what yet. Any suggestions? Sans alcohol?

Did I tell you that they also have live music at the Farmers Market? Totally cool.