Cooking with Carafoli: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner from the Famer's Markets

Photography By John F. Carafoli | August 17, 2024

My favorite places on Cape Cod are the various farmers’ markets from Sandwich/Sagamore to Provincetown. This past winter, I discovered the new indoor Falmouth Farmers’ Market at St. Barnabas Church and was excited to find fresh pea greens. It gave me a winter high as I launched into the spring recipes for edible CAPE COD. When purchasing food from the local farmers’ markets, I generally know where my produce is grown, and, more importantly, I get to connect a face with the food. Something new in the markets always intrigues me, from popcorn and popped quinoa to salted nuts, meats, fish, freshly baked bread, and desserts. There is something for everyone’s taste. The incredible social interaction with the sellers and various customers is just as important as fresh food. Come with me while I shop and fill my bag with food and treats for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Breakfast or Brunch

Cinnamon buns from Washashore Bakery or cranola on fruit and yogurt parfaits from Cape Cod Cranola are both available at the Osterville Farmers’ Market.

I was amazed to find homemade cider donuts right at the entrance to the Sandwich Farmers’ Market. In the Mix’s donuts are cut, fried, and served hot. They are the real deal. I bought three whole donuts and six donut holes. By the time I got home, only two were left – my new ritual now is eating one while walking through the market.

Next to them is Shine mobile coffee, where you can enjoy freshly brewed coffee with your donut.

Lunch

The Quiche Cart owners, Kim and Danny, make several organic quiches in various sizes. I buy the smaller quiche, which makes a perfect light, fast, and easy lunch.

Appetizer or a Simple Lunch

This cheese board includes two kinds of cheese recommended by Say Cheese: Manchego, a Spanish cheese that’s akin to an Italian Pecorino Romano; and Camembrie, similar to brie but firmer.

The delicious lavender jelly from Peachtree Circle Farm in Falmouth is excellent, especially when paired with cheeses.

I chose a small Italian sausage from A Slice of Italy, a shop in Falmouth, for the meat since I have not found a local farmers’ market source for this type of product.

A small bowl of nuts is always good to have on a cheese board. Sea Nuts has a variety of flavorful ones to try.

Also, I included a small dish of seasoned Monopati Greek olive oil called Pinzimonio. Look for Marie and George (along with their three-year-old daughter, Ariana), at most Cape Cod markets.

And bread is essential. I bought the sourdough ciabatta from Cape Cakes at Saturday’s Provincetown Market.

Dinner

Most of the fresh produce and herbs in the following recipes are from the various farmers’ markets you find on Cape Cod. In addition, The Scallop Truck is owned by the Nolan family, who fish off the coast of Cape Cod. I bought scallops several times at the Osterville and Sandwich markets. Here is a recipe I developed with them.