3.31.2013

Maria's Market


Now that things are more settled inside my new home, I have begun looking more carefully at my surroundings outside. I've had some good finds, but also some disappointments. Finding new grocery stores (easy, peasy), new malls (a partial fail here: you really can't beat Town Center in Boca Raton and the drive is worth it), finding new locations for my old favorites (like Whole Foods and Fresh Market, which I thought I'd have to drive more than 45 minutes back to visit my old stores, only to find both 15 minutes away, newer too.), searching for good restaurants in the neighborhood (unfortunately, there are none. Boo, hiss!), but as if to make up for that: the discovery of a wonderful farmers market chock full of fresh fruits and vegetables....... only 5 minutes away! The green market I frequented before was open only on Saturdays, but this market is open every day, year round and trust me, a different kettle of fish entirely.

Now I was told when someone heard where I was moving to look for Maria's Market. They referred to it as Maria's Barn because it's red but I nearly missed it as the market really isn't very red (although there IS a red house next door, where I imagine the owners live), but if there was a barn, I didn't see it. Never mind, after my first visit, I was totally hooked.


So today, I'm going to take you on a pictorial journey of Maria's. You'll see barrels of beans, rice in bulk....veggies and fruits you've never heard of (and we had to ask), a fabulous display of herbs and every kind of pepper and banana known to man! I also don't think I've ever seen so many different kinds, colors and shapes of eggplant. Outside in front, melons, and in the back, citrus, apples and pineapples. There was a entire room, refrigerated, for veggies and also a refrigerator display in the main room filled with even more veggies; a separate room filled to the brim with all kinds of onions and potatoes. It's a gem of a market (it opened two years ago) and while some of you in bigger cities may be accustomed to markets like this, it's new for me. Look at those two kinds of guavas in the third photo. Guava jam anyone? I think I still have my mother's recipe. She used to pick them on the golf course. :)  

Ya gotta love Florida.
(The photo below on the right is their hydroponic garden.)

Enjoy.











I adore apple bananas!!




Got rice?




(All photos were taken with my iPhone, so not as clear as they could/should be. Sorry about that!)

26 comments:

  1. I would be at Maria's e-v-e-r-yday! Great find. Now hopefully a good restaurant will pop up.

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  2. Good Morning Barbara, I have just returned from my holiday in India and thought I would pop by to say hello and catch up with you. I'm glad you are settled in your new home. It does take a little while. What an amazing Farmers Market you have found. I remember when my daughter lived in Atlanta, she took me to a Farmers Market just outside of Atlanta and it was amazing. Happy Easter to you. Best Wishes, Daphne

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  3. Maria's is a fantastic find! Glad you are settling in and finding your way around the neighborhood. I do have to agree with you though...especially in Florida...unless you live in the large cities, good, (unchained) restaurants, are impossible to find. A big disappointment for us living down here.

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  4. Unbelievable! I can't begin to tell you how jealous I am. Maria's really was a find. I know you enjoy your shopping expeditions there. Have a great day, Barbara. Blessings...Mary

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  5. Never heard of an apple banana? That place looks amazing!

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  6. What an amazing array of stuff! I've never heard of an apple banana!

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  7. Tell me about apple bananas. I'm curious!

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  8. What a great find! I could spend hours exploring there and finding inspiration for new kitchen projects!

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  9. A great market..I want to try the yam!!

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  10. I know right where that is! I think!

    You must live close to where my sister lives.

    I agree about Boca Town Center. It's really worth the trip...

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  11. I'd love to try apple bananas! And, to pick local guavas. This looks like a fun place to explore--often!

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  12. So many delightful fruits and veggies there. You really hit pay dirt with this one, Barbara! Glad to hear you found a Whole Foods and Fresh Market nearby too.

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  13. Our farmers market should be opening soon, although there is not much available locally. Keep exploring, I am sure you will love your new home and neighbourhood.

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  14. How I wish Maria's was walking distance my friend, loving the freshness :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  15. wow great market and sorry the restaurants are not that great but your a fab cook hugs

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  16. Such a great place to find fresh produce!

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  17. Wow this is amazing!!! I could live in this market.

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  18. When I moved, I gave up the convenience of my old neighborhood. I have to travel to get what I want. In a way, I don't mind. Aside from saving my poor back from hauling groceries on the subway, driving to Union Square Market, which is one of the best in the East, takes 20 minutes -- about the same time as training from Brooklyn. It's like a little field trip every other week.

    Glad you have found a great new resource –– do they grow most of the food?

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  19. I could happily shop at Maria's. I see all my Caribbean favorites like yams, dasheens, chennete and sucrier figs ( what you call apple bananas) What a lovely place.

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  20. We're going to be moving into the "country" in six months (more rural suburbs of SA) and I can't wait for the farmers markets!

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  21. Wow, nice...and me too, I love apple bananas...yum!
    Enjoy your week :)

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  22. Whoaaaaaaa! What a fantastic find. The variety is amazing. There are some things I'm not even familiar with. How I'd love to experiment!

    Sadly, I've never had an apple banana.

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  23. Wow, I love your market! I have something similar close by but nothing on that scale. It would be fun to learn how to use some of those exotic ingredients.

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  24. What a wonderful market! Sounds like you're getting used to your new neighborhood.

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