All I want for Christmas - Farmer's market goodies

I'm a big fan of farmer's markets. There's something about buying from the source, seeing who's made or grown the product and having a little chat while making a purchase. I don't think I take too long doing this but my partner and daughter may beg to differ.

Plus there's always the excitement of the unknown - the new products, the seasonal changes and the simply must-haves.

This year I'll be stocking up my pantry, fridge and gift baskets for Christmas, with some select items from Jan Power's Powerhouse Farmers Markets. It's an old fave and I love that I can take my corgi with me for the morning outing and he can sniff up with the other dogs in the adjacent dog park.

What's on my list?

Suckling Pig Ham

German small goods specialists Chriberg have legs of suckling pig ham this year. Smaller than standard hams, they are sweet and tender, triple smoked over imported German wood chips at $22.50 a kilo.

Twist ‘n’ Roll Macaroons de Paris

One bite of these gorgeous like puffs of sweet creaminess and you feel like you are in Paris. Some new flavours for Christmas gifts and parties – dark chocolate, grand marnier and lavender.

Summer Pudding Berries 

From Kandara Berry Farms come all the ingredients for summer pudding, one of the easiest, yet spectacular desserts – raspberries, strawberries and blueberries ready to soak in a simple mould of white bread. This really is a super easy summer dessert and a light alternative to a pudding that still has a fruit flavour.

Pudding Lane’s Christmas Goodies 

For the traditionalists, Christmas puddings with currents, sultanas, figs and macadamias soaked in brandy and guinness - small, medium and large, with a gluten free option available. These are just as good as the ones you make.



Dello Mano Brownies
 I love Dello Mano Brownies! They have a new Christmas hamper on offer – brownies, sweet sauces, a sticky and more. A new orange and chocolate brownie infused in orange oil has been mastered by Deborah Peralta and the popular Christmas pudding brownie has returned.

Roast Pork is back
Village Meat’s Lindsay Stephenson reports that pork has made a return to the Christmas table in 2009. Their collarbutt rolled roast has been snapped up by Matt Moran for Aria – boned pork ‘rib’ wrapped in crackling and easy to carve. With a delightful fusion of flavours, one irresistible mouthful of crunch, salt succulence will leave you wanting more! I love good pork but it's hard to find so this is a real treat. I want to try cooking this in my new gas Webber.

The Powerhouse twilight markets will be held on Tuesday 22 December from late afternoon until 8pm. The Queen Street market will be held at its usual time on Wednesday 23 December. The Powerhouse markets will crank up again on 10 January. There will be no Mitchelton or Queen Street markets in January, as the traders take a well earned holiday.