‘Sorry no plus ones.’
‘I know you said no plus ones but can I bring Ollie?’
‘Yes of course, please bring him we’d love to meet him!’
So on Saturday morning I was meant to be taking Ollie to check out the new Carseldine Farmers Markets opening for the first time that very day. It just so happened that it was a rare occasion where Will wasn’t playing golf on a Saturday so I left Ollie at home for father-son time. It was a good thing I did.
Boy were these markets popular. By the time I found a park and bush bashed my way to the market, I was 10 minutes late. The markets are set in the grounds of the old QUT Carseldine campus in amongst beautiful bushland but it does make it a bit of a rough trip from the car depending where you park.
Once I got in there, I did two laps of what I thought was the market, battling through the many, many people who all wanted to be the first to visit and I still couldn’t find the information desk where I was to meet everyone. It turns out there was a whole extra segment of the market that I didn’t even know existed. It was so lovely and spread out that I missed it. Now I was impressed when I thought it was just the small fresh food section but I was really impressed when I ventured further in.
When I finally found the group I was meant to be touring with I didn’t waste any time getting into the tastings. Let me just describe this to you and then you can guess how it tasted… roasted macadamia, covered in a toffee coating (ie caramelised) then coated in chocolate and rolled in cocoa. De-licious!
One of the reasons I was keen to visit these markets is that the stall holders are genuine artisans who actually make their produce. The fresh stuff is all farmer-grown on local farms. I loved this poster with photos of the stall holders picking goodies to bring to the markets.
The tastings continued as we got further into the markets. I can never go past a rich, creamy yoghurt especially filled with fresh, sweet passionfruit. I got a few extra goodies as I was on a promo tour but all the vendors are very friendly and happy to offer you a taste of their goodies before you purchase.
I even got to sample a vegan salad. Yes you read that correctly, I ate a salad. It was seriously tasty, packed full of fresh, local veges, seeds and nuts. I had the rest for lunch the next day.
Bill the farmer was the best example of farm to plate. He has been growing fruit and vege on his Maleny farm for more than 40 years. He had gotten up at midnight to prepare to be at the markets to open his stall at 6am that morning. I bought some of his corn and I am not exaggerating when I say it was the best corn ever. We cooked it on the BBQ wrapped in aluminium foil and a little butter. If you visit the markets, you have to get some corn from farmer Bill.
I especially liked the stall holder at the apple store (no not that apple store the edible kind!) calling people in to ‘feel what apple skin actually feels like.’ All his apples were unwaxed fresh from the Stanthorpe orchard.
Everything you could possibly want could be found at these markets – red velvet brownies, you betcha. How about choc-peppermint or salted caramel brownies? You’ll find them too.
Even fancy iced teas in my favourite mason jar glasses can be purchased and sipped on as you peruse the wares.
So many of the stores were beautifully set up but none more so than the florist selling her beautiful, reasonably-priced blooms from her kombi van. Flower power to the max!
I couldn’t resist snapping a photo of this gorgeous little thing sniffing the flowers. I think her dad might have thought I was a bit odd though.
There was a lot of food humour lining the path through the markets but the next one made me laugh…
We were with the lovely but vertically challenge Maureen from Orgasmic Chef. I wanted her to pose by the sign!
It’s not only food at these enormous markets. You will find enough plants to re-landscape an entire garden
Even beautiful party supplies can be found. I was pretty taken by the silver cupcake cases. It’s really a very good thing that I was on a tour and had to keep up with everyone or I would have come back with quite a few things I didn’t necessarily need.
There’s also ample entertainment for the kiddies and dogs are allowed too. I’m not 100% keen on the dogs being allowed but I’m sure dog owners would love it.
Unfortunately, by the time I was let lose on my own most of the stalls had sold out. I managed to get a bunch of kale from farmer Bill, two punnets of the sweetest strawberries and a punnet of fresh raspberries. Oh how I love berry season.
So will I be back? Absolutely! I might wait until it settles down a bit before I try taking the pram but I will definitely be back with a full wallet and an empty grandma trolley.
The Carseldine Markets are on every Saturday from 6am-12pm. They are located at 532 Beams Rd Carseldine.
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