Farmers Market Sandwich, inspired by Beldotti's Bakery
Each Spring, I anxiously await the opening day of our local Farmer’s Market in New Canaan, Connecticut. All the fresh local produce is a welcome sight, and I love seeing my friends at the farmer’s market. Not only is it nice to say hi to my favorite vendors, but after squirreling up for the winter, it’s a great place to see people in my community. It’s especially fun to see who the new vendors are each Spring. There are over 100 farmer’s markets in Connecticut so if you’re traveling anywhere in the state, you are bound to find one.
This past Saturday was the first day our farmer’s market was open, and the weather was just glorious. First, I took a tour around the market to see what everyone was selling, picking up a few items along the way. Then I loaded up my car so I was hands-free and could take some pictures to share with you all (some of the photos are from last year but I never got around to posting them).
I met a few of the new vendors (more will be coming), including Butterfield Farm Company, maker of goat’s milk body products and a variety of goat cheese products,
Butterfield Farm Company from East Granby, CT - new this year
Unbakeables, creator of egg-free cookie dough that can be eaten raw,
Unbakeables - new to the market
A sampling of Unbakeables flavors
and Eastern Cookie Bake Shop, baker of healthy, artisan wheat bread, gluten-free bread and sweets (I had a sample of her gluten-free brownies – they were incredible, made with brown rice flour, garbanzo flour and cocoa), and raw desserts.
Eastern Cookie Bake Shop - new this year
Of course, I am always happy to see all the old timers as well as the return of more recent vendors to the market:
Gazy Brothers Farm – farm fresh produce; co-owner Alexis Gazy is the Market Master for the New Canaan Farmer’s Market
Gazy Brothers Farm - there's always a crowd
Riverbank Certified Organic Farm – organic farm fresh produce, plantings
Riverbank Farm - fresh produce and prepared foods
Stone’s Throw Farm – organic farm fresh produce; Gwyneth’s Baby Asian Greens and German white garlic are some of my favorites (I did not see Gwyneth there this weekend, but hope she is coming back)
Stones Throw Farm - from Bethel, CT
Shortt’s Organic Farm – organic farm fresh produce from Sandy Hook, CT
Plasko’s Farm – farm fresh produce, cider donuts and condiments
Plasko Farms from Trumbull, CT
Smith Acres – farm fresh produce
Greyledge Farm – all natural, pasture-raised meats
Greyledge Farm from Roxbury, CT
Beldotti Bakery/St. EX Specialty Foods – artisan breads, fresh pesto and mozzarella
Beldotti's Bakery - famous for their samplings of artisan bread, fresh mozzarella and pesto
Whistle Stop Bakery – cookies, bar cookies, pies, quiches and more
Whistle Stop Bakery - there are always free samples to taste
Du Soleil – healthy, gourmet fresh-made dips and salads
Du Soleil - Fine Foods For Gourmets
Fresh Salads sold by Du Soleil, offerings change each week
Michele’s Pies – award-winning handmade pies and other baked goods
Michelle's Pies - assorted hand made baked products, including award-winning pies
Mamacat’s Q. Tea – premium, organic hand-blended herbal teas
Mamacat's Tea from Wilton, CT
Connecticutly Grown Hoardable Hot Sauce – hot sauce made with locally grown, pesticide-free herbs and vegetables
Connecticutly Grown Hoardable Sauces
Raus Coffee – farm to roaster coffee, signature coffee drink – the Cold Roman
Raus Coffee - owner Donny is a passionate guy
Pasta Heaven/Bonga Capacci – fresh ravioli and lasagna
Bongo Capacci - fresh pasta and ravioli
Dream Desserts – gluten-free dessert bars (I did not see them on Saturday, but hope they are returning)
Dream Desserts - Baker of Gluten-Free Treats
Dream Desserts - samples are always on display
Skinny Pines – mobile wood fired oven serving pizzas
Skinny Pines - fresh pizza made to order
Goatboy Soaps – hand-crafted soap made with goat’s milk
Goatboy Soaps Products
Smyth’s Trinity Farms – farm fresh chocolate milk, yogurt, butter
Trinity Farm - known for their chocolate milk
There are more new vendors to come, and I look forward to meeting all of them. Meanwhile, enjoy this family tradition that we make at the start of the Farmer’s Market season – what I call the Farmer’s Market Sandwich, so simple, yet so satisfying.
Inspired by the samples from Beldotti's Bakery at the farmer's market. (I used a gluten-free roll for my son who is allergic to wheat.)
Ingredients
- Fresh baked artisan bread, sliced
- Fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- Fresh tomatoes, sliced
- Fresh pesto
- Freshly ground pepper, to taste
Directions
- For each sandwich, spread some pesto on one side of each slice of bread.
- Top with a slice of mozzarella cheese and tomato.
- Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
- Top with second slice of bread.
It’s the grandest season and that sandwich is calling to me.
I love the farmer’s market and always anxiously anticipate opening day. This has become our traditional sandwich to welcome the start of the farmer’s market season.
it looks like we both had a great day at our Farmer’s Market! It was such a nice surprise finding ours open, I know you must have just loved being able to shop in your market, the selection is amazing! Can’t wait for more local produce to arrive!
Loved seeing your post on your local farmer’s market Chef Dennis. Our local farmer’s market has really grown and added some nice diverse vendors. Each week will bring even more variety of fresh produce – can’t wait!
Gorgeous sandwich, Jeanette. I can’t wait until our Farmer’s Market opens!
WOW, that looks like a great Farmer’s Market! I really have enjoyed living in MI where local farmer’s and businesses are supported. That Sandwich looks so delicious!
This sandwich is right up my alley. I love fresh mozzarella, basil and tomato. It looks perfect!
This is one of my favorite sandwiches. You’ve got such a wonderful farmer’s market near you!!
It’s good isn’t it. I made one for my son who’s just back from college and he loved it. We are so fortunate to have such a terrific farmer’s market. I’m hoping to explore more in surrounding towns.
I can see why you anxiously await opening day, your market looks just wonderful! I was oohing and ahhing over everything. Love this post Jeanette!
Wow, you even have a pizza oven at your neighborhood farmers market? I’m envious! Looks like a beautiful place to roam and discover.
This sandwich tells me that summer is here!
What a stroll through the market.Can’t wait to visit ours this weekend finally!
Hope you are doing great! Are you going to the BlogHer this year? I can not justify the price so I am staying put this year. I missed everyone though!
This is calling my name! I am so looking forward to summer produce!
I love to visit farmer markets! The sandwich looks very tasty.
Voted! That is one my my favorite sandwiches – I also like to grill them! What an awesome Farmers Market
I love this fresh, simple sandwich! And, it looks like you had a great Saturday visiting all the local vendors. I realized, earlier this year, when I posted about my trip to the Farmer’s Market, that not all markets are open year round like they are in Southern California
That Hoardable Hot Sauce is calling my name!
There are a couple more weeks until our farmer’s market opens and I’m absolutely itching to get there. Your market looks wonderful – great range of vendors. And the sandwich…well, it’s that kind of simplicity that makes me love summer produce that much more.
Such a great looking farmers market! I’m so looking forward to roaming the farmers markets in my neck of the woods! That sandwich looks so delish!
I love a good day at the market and ended it with a sandwich like this makes it even better!
There are few summertime lunches I enjoy more than a fresh mozz, tomato, and pesto sandwich. Now I know what I’m going to be dreaming about!
Love the sandwich and that market!
GIVE ME THAT SANDWICH!
Love our farmer’s market jeanette! best of luck on the top 25 food blogs!