Flowers make a great host/hostess gift.
Photo: Rhea Kennedy
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Ah, the delights of being in D.C. on a long, warm weekend. On those weekends, the days open up a little. The usually frantic times slow down. Perhaps most importantly, grilling is possible!
Whether you live in D.C. or are just visiting, a farmers market excursion is the perfect compliment to a laid-back and barbecue-filled weekend. Or, for regular market-goers, trying a new location with new products can add a little sizzle.
If a market trip sounds like a good addition to your days off, here are some weekend highlights to guide you.
Fresh, healthy fodder for your grill: Mushrooms and asparagus, on offer at most D.C. markets, love the grill. So do Pecan Meadow's grass fed and finished steaks, on offer at the U Street Market; chicken from EcoFriendly Farms (Arlington Farmers Market); and other meats, with many different cuts to choose from.
And don't forget the buns!
Easy and delicious sides: Look for baby new potatoes at pretty much any market--they're small and quick to cook for potato salads. Richfield Farm (H Street FreshFarm Market and Mount Pleasant Farmers Market), Tree and Leaf (Mount Pleasant and Dupont), and others offer fresh herbs and spring onions to make your salads sing.
If deviled eggs are on the menu, try cage-free eggs from your favorite market vendor, and perhaps a duck or goose egg version with the help of Pecan Meadow (U Street).
Desserts for the summery evenings: Strawberries from Next Step and Spring Valley (at Dupont), Richfield Farm (H Street and Mount Pleasant), and others; rhubarb, rhubarb everywhere; fruit sorbets from LandofEl Farm (Arlington); frozen delights at Dolcezza Gelati (Dupont, H Street).
Host/hostess gifts: To thank friends for a Memorial Day brunch or cookout, try beautiful wool yarn or a jar of local honey from Solitude, which is returning to the Dupont Circle market, or grab fresh-cut or potted flowers from your favorite farm.
Chef at Market demonstrations: At the Dupont market, catch the demo by RJ Cooper of Vidalia at 11 a.m. At the Silver Spring FreshFarm Market, Chef at Market features the cooking of Lebanese Taverna, also at 11 a.m.
Musical guest: At the Silver Spring market, catch the music of Emily Reese.
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