Visiting the Farmers Market...

I was up in Kerikeri seeing my sister over the weekend, so had the chance to visit the Bay of Islands Farmers Market.
This is a fantastic market, I always find something good to buy, it is well set out and easy to navigate. I love visiting Farmers Markets, it is the best way to find out what is fresh, seasonal and local, often at a fantastic price. You can often also pick up things that are a little more unusual, which may be uneconomic for supermarkets to stock.
In Auckland I visit the Saturday Parnell Farmers Market, (for a post about that see here) or the Sunday Clevedon Village Farmers Market. Both are worth visiting for fresh seasonal goodies, and of course a great coffee

On this trip I picked up fantastic Mahoe Cheese, fresh quinces and glorious fresh figs, what a treat!

This stall, Fifteen Acre Figs was beautifully presented, with an array of fresh figs, and dried fig products. I restrained myself from buying one of everything, and brought home a gorgeous box of purple juicy fruit. This is the beauty of the market, produce that may not travel well, such as figs, is grown locally, and has to get not much further to your kitchen. I was tempted to make a simple salad, but cleaning out the freezer (what a job!) turned up a tub of Kapati Vanilla Ice cream. This made me think of warm juicy figs over cold ice cream, I don't make lots of puddings, but this was too tempting.

Roasted Marsala Honey Figs

This is so easy, but the result is utterly delicious, no one will believe how easy it is...

12 ripe figs
1/4 cup sweet Marsala (or sherry, port or even sweet wine would be perfect)
Big dollop of runny honey (my boss brought in a jar of her Dad's own honey, score!)
a pinch of cinnamon
Small knob of unsalted butter

Take your figs & slice each one through the top, leaving the base intact. Put into a small ovenproof dish , you want a reasonably snug fit. In a small bowl whisk together the Marsala, honey & Cinnamon.

 Pour over your figs, then put a small know of butter into each fig. Put into a hot 200C oven for 12-15 mins until bubbling & fragrant. Pour over good ice cream...or bad ice cream, or any ice cream you want. It will be divine either way.

This is such an elegant but easy dessert I cant recommend it enough. If you have never tried figs before give it a bash, you wont be disappointed

 If you have a favourite producer and /or Farmers Market, make sure you vote at the Taste Farmers Market New Zealand Awards . Check here for a list of Farmers Markets in your area and get along. 
And if you see fresh figs, go for it!