I visited the University District Farmer’s Market with a friend on Saturday.  The Market was noted as one of the best in the U.S. by the Huffington Post this July, and according to my foodie friend it is the one you should not miss if you go to farmer’s markets in Seattle.  It was not easy to find parking, but still well worth the trip.

As I walked toward the market I could smell habanero peppers roasting over an open flame.  People were flocking to buy the roasted peppers, which cost a little more than buying the peppers and roasting them yourself, but such is the magic of the farmer’s market.  The fruit and vegetables are so amazingly full of life that they seem to glow, the bread at Tall Grass Bakery’s stand is still warm, and the flowers look like they were cut five minutes ago.  Most of the stands have some of their goods available to sample before buying.  It’s hard to resist making a purchase at every stand!  I find it is easier to stick to my budget by  bringing the amount of cash I want to spend, but some vendors do take credit cards so you can still splurge at will.

I bought some heirloom tomatoes, “Party Cheese” from Port Madison Goat Farm and Dairy, delicata squash, a baguette from the Tall Grass Bakery and a big blushing-fresh hunk of ginger root.  Next week I want to go to Found and Foraged Edibles for some mushrooms and to check out the $19.99/lb. bacon from Wooly Pigs.

Even if your neighborhood farmer’s market ends its season in October you can continue to visit the University District Market year-round.