365 Days | #40 | Mairangi Bay Farmers Market

Having had its first market day on 29 May 2010, this is the North Shore’s newest weekend market and one of only 3 bonafide Farmers’ Markets on the Shore. Sponsored by Harcourts and Barfoot & Thompson Mairangi Bay, this is a great initiative for the area and it’s drawing a lot of interest from locals. It’s small and relaxed, mainly about food, and there are some delicious and delightful products to be had.

I bought a parsley plant from Clevedon Herbs and Produce - they run a blog with recipes and other interesting foodie stuff, and they sell deliciously fresh lettuce greens and herbs, ready to eat salad mixes and all manner of vegetables (subject to the season). Based in Clevedon, Phil and Jenny Tregidga have been growing their produce hydroponically since 1984. Earlier this year they shifted the focus of their business from supplying supermarkets to being vendors at a number of Auckland markets.

Dinner for us, tonight, will be based around a piece of fresh salmon from the Salmon Man. It comes from the prisitine, clear waters of Stewart Island, shipped directly to the salmon man, who then smokes it, adding a variety of flavours such as dill, lemon, garlic & herbs. Or you can buy gravlax, gremolata and plain smoked. The website is worth a look – there’s plenty of salmon and seafood recipes, cooking tips and nutritional facts. If you’re concerned about your intake of omega 3 oils, you should be eating salmon once a week – no need to take pills!

The market is held every Saturday morning, 9-1, in the carpark behind Harcourts.