Despite the freezing weather the farmers' market was open for business as usual today. There were a few casualties that did not arrive because some of the more rural areas around are still having difficulties getting in or out of their villages.
Thankfully, the large fresh chicken that I ordered was there waiting and I was able to buy plenty of excellent local apples and some conference pears too. A lot of the vegetables still had the frost and snow on them and how they ever got the carrots and parsnips out of the ground, which is like iron, is beyond me.
There was plenty of poultry and locally caught game to choose from as well as the fresh vegetables, fruit, fish and meat. Last week I tried some Christmas pie from Frocester Fayre, one of the farms that I regularly buy from and it was so delicious that I ordered a small one for today. It is made with hot water crust pastry and has layers of pork sausagemeat and minced pork with a layer of turkey breast, apricots and fresh cranberries followed by another layer of the pork mixture then topped with the pastry crust. The pie is well seasoned with herbs and the only reason I don't make it myself is because I would be the only one to eat it and also I would have to collect a lot of ingredients too.
There isn't a market next week so fortunately I have stocked up enough fresh supplies to get me through into the New Year. These people deserve a medal for producing such wonderful food and especially for turning up in all winds and weather to ensure we get the very best from within a thirty mile radius of where we live.
Many thanks and a very happy Christmas to all our farmers!
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