Pepper Place Summer Market

Every Saturday morning in the summer, Birmingham residents gather to purchase farm fresh produce, cheeses, artisan breads, and much more. Music accompanies the shoppers, both recorded and live. It has become a Birmingham tradition and is located in the Design Center area.

Chilton County peaches

Artisan Breads - Continental Bakery

Fruits and vegetables - reasonably priced and delicious

This Saturday's chef was Chris Dupont from Cafe Dupont, who was discussing, preparing, and serving recipes featuring watermelon. He buys his watermelons from an Alabama local, Averiett Branch Farm.  However, he says good watermelons are becoming more difficult to find and the best watermelons are now coming from China.

We were served: 1) watermelon sorbet as a popsicle and difficult to keep from melting in the heat, and 2) a salad of watermelon, arugula, goat cheese, pickled watermelon rind, thinly sliced onion, and toasted watermelon seeds with a watermelon vinaigrette (watermelon juice and a raspberry vinaigrette). Delicious!

Strollers and dogs are common at the market but, in this case, we saw a stroller for dogs.

I had the opportunity to meet the self-named "Tomato Snob", and she has every reason to be a snob about her tomatoes. She claims if you eat one of her tomatoes you will come back for more, and she is right! Next Saturday, same time. I'll be there!

NOTE: I am looking for a pickled watermelon rind recipe. The bowl of pickled watermelon rind had fresh sage and thyme. Most of the recipes I have found contain cinnamon and sugar. Any suggestions would be appreciated!