Stray Kitchen is our column all about food written by renowned local produce expert, food writer and chef, Stephanie Moon. Stephanie is a champion of food produced in the UK and particularly in Yorkshire and the Harrogate district. 

 

 

As a farmer's daughter, the chance to go to a farmers' market always seems like a great idea to me and to meet like minded people. I visited Knaresborough Farmers' Market to speak to some of the stall holders and sample some of their tasty wares!

The truth is this farmers' market has only just got going again since the pandemic stopped the fun, so the stall holders were in a jubilant mood to be back trading. Some have even diversified over the last year, adding to their business with online trading.

No market would survive without the organisers and pictured above are Jane and Peter from the Farmers' Market and Town Councillor Hannah Gostlow, all delighted to see the market thriving again. Jane explained things are a little bit different at the moment. In pre-covid times you might have seen the town crier, buskers providing entertainment or tastings of the foods on offer. Sadly these cannot be done at this time, but all the team seemed very proud of the market and the bustle of the stalls drawing people into the town.

• The Headbangers Sausage Company lads are new to the business and have teamed up with Swillington Organic Farm to host their stall and sell their amazing Headbanger sausages.


• Hepys Hog Roast go all over Yorkshire with lovely roast pork sandwiches at affordable prices. Emma Parker (pictured) usually roasts a whole hog at each market. The crispy crackling really makes it!


• Trisha Powell from Gluten Freeks began baking for her coelliac husband, and has been running a market stall ever since she took early retirement six years ago. With a couple of gluten free sausage rolls in my bag, I was very happy.


• Trisha and myself pictured here are next to Gerhard who makes traditional pretzel alongside some more modern offerings. Gerhard's Pretzels has been here for two years and Gerhard has expanded his range with sweet pretzels such as a lovely looking cinnamon one. Having lived in Bavaria, I love the traditional salt crusted pretzels and it took me right back to the German Biergartens!


• The Gourmet Scotch Egg co began life as a little bit of left over sausage meat Katy fashioned into a Scotch egg for her husband. Based near York the business is super local, and ably assisted by Katy's son Jack.

• Sharon and her son Karim from Really Indian have some daring customers. Really Indian offers a stunning range of sauces. I tried the Mumbai sauce that really packs a punch, made with fresh chilli, ginger and garlic. The Pakora, Samosa and Bhajis are street food at its best – and so agreed the friendly customer pictured here.


• Richard has been making pies for 30 years and this last year has been very different for his company who usually do the larger shows such as The Great Yorkshire Show. His Crusty Pie Company has been diversifying with the smaller markets and he loves it. The Wensleydale topped pie was full of flavour- he knows his pies!


• The Ladies from Kick Ass Cheese know how to enjoy themselves, pictured here giving the Calendar Girls a run for their money! These individually wrapped cheeses were made on a farm that has been in the family over 80 years.


• One of the great characters of the market is Stanley, who sells his home grown flowers and vegetables. When asked if I could take his photo, he replied “If the camera doesn't crack!" My sweet peas and tomato plants are so far going well on my windowsill.

• The honey on the Barlow's Bees table really gleamed in the bright sun and was stunning to see. Chris has hives all over Yorkshire and the honey I got came from Elvington near York, with the bees fed on Rapeseed. The honey was so fresh that it hadn't even fully set, needing around two more days to be set solid.


• The only none-food stall at the market when I visited was Amber's Country Crafts. Amber has a dressmaking degree and makes all her own stunning cushions and sew’s.


• Luca from Lasagnas on the Road makes delicious slow-cooked lasagnas by hand, ready for you to enjoy at home. I took home the veggie lasagna which was absolutely delicious.


• Sarah from Sarah’s Sweet Treats holds up a stunning pink strawberry layered cake with strawberry frosting. Sarah is far too busy baking to watch The Great British Bake Off-  although she seemed impressed to know I used to work with Paul Hollywood years ago in London!

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