As a kid, my family frequented the farmers market of Minneapolis. My parents, and Aunt Mary and Uncle Don were friends with Pat and Dale of Patnode Produce (which is still vending today at site 322). Now, As an adult, I love to go there still and see all of the fresh fruits veggies and plants. It is an amazing variety of both food, lively atmosphere, ethnic groups, and entertainers. You can't help but feel invigorated by the experience. Although my heart truly does belong to Minneapolis Farmers Market I really do have a passion for any commerce that involves fresh, local, sustainable farming and business. So, I've been adventurous. Mostly with the help of my cousin/cohort Merry, we've ventured off to other markets over the past couple years since she moved to MN from CA. It has been a real treat having a partner in crime! haha! So, we've found some great tarts and cheeses and produce at Mill City Market (downtown Mpls). Also, where I was introduced to one of my favorite ingredients the Garlic Scape which is really hard to come by. This past weekend we ventured to the St Paul Farmers Market on 5th. I really enjoyed checking it out. Of course all of the vendors were UBER friendly and willing to let you sample most anything you asked. When was the last time you went to the grocery store and had that opportunity? I loved the St Paul Market! What I liked was that most was locally grown and distributed goods or local food shops coming together under one roof. The best find, the truffle of this day was GELATO! OH WOW!!!! Now, I'm sure being Minnesotan we haven't had much experience with Gelato, but it is becoming ever more popular in place of its in my opinion inferior cousin Ice Cream. (don't judge) The thing about Gelato that I find different than ice cream are the true flavors (not just super sweet). When you taste it, your pallette is tricked by the reality of what you are tasting and the sensation of cold accompanying it. The truffle hunt today yielded from a little itty bitty Gelato Cart. The name of the company: Chihuahua Chocolates originally of Woodbury.
Chihuahua Chocolates
680 Commerce Drive, Suite 100
Woodury, MN 55125
(651) 735-0787
The man at the cart Jim (I assume is an owner) spoke about the product and as we inquired about how they could infuse such dense rich flavor into their Gelato you could hear his passion for the product. Jim explained how they purchase their cream right from the Local Creamery of Hudson to create their base, pasteurized the old fashioned way right in their own facility. Then they add the best quality ingredients used for the flavorings such as pistachio paste a special variety imported from Italy. So I had 1/2 Pistachio and 1/2 Salted Caramel and It was the MOST AMAZING tasting Gelato ever!!! The pistachio was heavenly! It was sooo very smooth and creamy and just infused perfectly with pistachio. There was no mistaking this product as being 100% SPECTACULAR. I am still thinking about it today!
I urge everyone to check out their local markets and venture to the markets in the cities. You will be delighted at your finds and maybe even gather a few "truffles" of your own!
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