May 12th, Granada Finca Market

**catahoula fan** · 05-08-2013, 09:42 AM

It's time again to shop for homemade, gourmet items at the once-a-month Granada Finca Market. This coming Sunday, May 12th, your local vendors will be at Hotel La Bocona (Calle La Libertad, 2 blocks west of central park), from 10am until noon with a variety of products. Come early for free samples from many of the vendors!

Available this month:
Natural Yogurt, Greek Yogurt, Tibetan Kefir, Tibetan Kefir Soft Cheese and Coconut Oil.
Pastas, fresh and dried. The flavors are plain, tomato, basil, curry, multigrain, and cacao. All are made with whole wheat and 100% natural.
2 types of gourmet honey available this month.
Smoked ham, pastrami, several types of homemade sausages (in links and bulk)
Lasagnas
Fresh cheeses
Organic greens
Homemade Ice Creams (mint chocolate chip and black raspberry)

**drlemcor** · 05-08-2013, 08:45 PM

Is there still a C$25 entrance fee? Also, when you say "early" do you mean 10:00am, or before it opens? ...mmm, free samples.

**catahoula fan** · 05-08-2013, 10:45 PM

The 25 cord fee applies only to vendors, not customers. Most folks run out of samples within the first 30 to 45 minutes of the market, so it's best to get there closer to when it opens, or at least in the first hour.

**catahoula fan** · 05-11-2013, 06:56 PM

Here's a pic of the samples that I will have at this month's market in Granada; from left to right, Barcelona (made with white wine, marjoram, thyme, etc), Sweet Italian, Smoked Ham, and Pastrami. The cup on the bottom left is Boursin cheese, a fresh cream cheese-style cheese that I make that is chock full of garlic, chives, sea salt, and black pepper.

**drlemcor** · 05-12-2013, 07:46 PM

I tried to get there by 10:00am, but it the bus that I caught from San Marcos took me through Diriomo and then along a winding scenic (and slow) road. However, luck was with me, and when I got there there were still plenty of free samples. I ate a bit of spinach bread that tasted surprisingly good. I sampled some honey grown on the sides of Mombacho--nice a sweet. The man selling the honey told me that the bees collect from a variety of flowers, but the vast majority for this batch were from avocados.

I met a cool guy from up neat Matagalpa who makes his own banana leaf paper and coffee ink, and then paints "all-natural" banana/coffee paintings of Indians, fantasy (like a woman with a tree for hair), and nature scenes. He charges C$200 for each painting. I was tempted, but didn't have a place to keep it safe until I got back to my apartment.

My plan was to swing by Managua, change some money, and see a movie before heading back to San Marcos. This plan kept me from buying any of the perishables.

I finally got to meet Melissa and Roger, and I tried all of their free samples (sometimes more than once). They're all quite tasty. I especially likes the garlic cream spread.

It didn't occur to me until I had left that after Melissa correctly identified me as "drlemcor," that she and her husband introduced themselves...and I somehow forget to do the same. I believe it was because I was too distracted by all of the tasty goodies.

In any case, it was a pleasure to meet you both, and my name is Jeff.

They also had ice-cream. Roger recommended the raspberry with chocolate chips, and Melissa the mint with chocolate chips. I bought one of the mint. It was decadently rich and smooth. I'm sure with the base being so rich, any flavoring would be a hit. I'll have to try the raspberry next time.

**catahoula fan** · 05-12-2013, 08:44 PM

Hola, Jeff, con mucho gusto! I was seriously scattered today, and had wished later that I had more time to chat with you but, alas, today was NOT the day. You do a bit of traveling around, let me know when you are in my area (Santa Cruz) and we'll fire up the adobe oven for some duck pizzas!

**catahoula fan** · 05-12-2013, 08:54 PM

I believe it was because I was too distracted by all of the tasty goodies.

Must be true, my husband is certifiable! :P
I will get back to this post (when Toña is not foremost on my mind) with info about each of these awesome vendors. I've gotten most of the best of Nica in one spot, once a month, now I just need to turn it into a social event, and the dang thing will be officially successful! Y'all cross some fingers and send good karma!

**catahoula fan** · 05-14-2013, 08:59 AM

Carlos Vargas explaining the process of his artwork.

Using fibers from the banana plant stalks for his canvas and coffee as his paint, Carlos creates unique paintings .

Carlos lives in Matagalpa, but will be attending next month's Granada Finca Market, as well!

Fresh, organic produce from Jason's farm in Managua...picked up some of those baby eggplants to go with some goodies from another vendor, Señor Pescado.

Simply THE best breads I've come across in country! European style, rustic breads in a variety of flavors.

And here's those seafood goodies I mentioned...extra colossal shrimp, 5 to a pound...man, do I have a seriously happy kitchen (and hubby) right now!

We also had cold pressed coconut oil and gourmet honey, plus the usuals of smoked meats, sausages, and the like. Next Granada Finca Market is Sunday, June 9th...mark your calendars!