Barnard Castle Farmers Market

As well as locals we will look forward to seeing more and more seasonal visitors on Barnard Castle Farmers Market. Despite the rain many visitors are drawn to the area by its outstanding scenery and also Barney’s growing reputation as a fine shopping destination, offering varied and unusual treats from independent shops.  We will also look forward to some of the few people who see the present rain as their life’s blood, Canoeists.  We have had many visits in the past by this hardy breed and hope they think of us when they are hungry and cold so that we can warm them up and do our bit to make their visit memorable, along with their sought after white water rapids. They may even be able to enjoy us as a “paddle-throu shopping experience”!

We always look forward to seeing our regular friends on the farmers market as it is their loyalty and enthusiasm that sustains all of our stallholders and makes Barney market great. You know who you are! I have been lucky enough to build up a large group of regulars who not only entertain me with the inventive culinary masterpieces my products have been used in but also help me with new and unusual ideas. I am not alone in thinking this, informed customers are as important to Farmers Market Producers as Artisan skills and great ingredients. If anyone has a special request or a hankering for a special treat not yet catered for on the market then come and make a suggestion. We all have our usual ranges but sometimes a simple request can be the start of something new and innovative so come on, talk to us and we will try to help.

The grass is too wet to cut and the weeds will come out much easier tomorrow after a bit more rain, so come and see us on Saturday, on the cobbles, for some exceptional produce and a warm welcome.

Welcome to March; traditionally a warm and dry month in Teesdale according to my idiots guide to weather forecasting. It’s a recent book authored by I.M.A.Twitt of Dampdale.

Far from being a quiet winter month, March is really the gateway to spring for many of us on the market . There are fields starting to be ploughed for beans, early lambing, fruit tree pruning and seed planting The countryside isl starting to speed up in preparation for the new season’s early growth.

There is no doubt that regardless of the weather Farmers Markets belong outdoors where so much of our produce originates. We are starting the year as we intend to continue, with the largest selection of sumptuous produce available anywhere in the North of England. Our 30 stalls have a wide variety of meat, fish, bread and fresh veg.

We have ingredients for dedicated chefs and harassed family cooks, so come along and try some of our offerings.

I will confess to you one of my standard cheats that is also a firm favourite with friends and family. If I have run out of time but am expected to have a meal on the table quickly I reach for Spice Monkey’s Moroccan Tagine Sauce. This is a mild gently spiced, floral, peppery sauce that gently warms without being too rich. Take 700-900g of diced lamb and fry it for a couple of minutes to give it a bit of colour. Pop the meat into a casserole (use this to do the frying and save washing up) and add the sauce. If you have time, let it cool by placing it in the fridge for a couple of hours. When you are ready all you do is bring it to the boil and simmer it on the hob for 40 minutes. That is plenty of time to cook some rice and steamed carrots as accompaniments. If I have made this sound very easy then please believe me, it is. If you like this dish then talk to Ian about his full range as he has perfect sauces for fish and vegetarian options.

Dress appropriately and join us on Saturday from 9.30 am to 3 pm and make the Farmers Market part of your monthly shop.

Barnard Castle Farmers' Market