Red Stick Farmer's Market (Baton Rouge, LA)

I was in Louisiana last week visiting family and took the opportunity Saturday to go over to the downtown farmer's market in Baton Rouge. While we are just getting to the best part of the market season around here (in my opinion at least) in terms of variety and quality of produce, they are really at the end of the season for many of the things nearing peak here.

Some things produce-wise that one does not see here -- okra (tons of okra), purple-hulled and black-eyed peas, and cushaw squash.

Okra



Cushaw squash



But the really fun part of going for me is seeing the distinctive things that one would never see at the local farmer's markets. Like . . .

Some guy playing zydeco music



A stone ground grits vendor (not out of the question to find locally, but probably not this specific mix of products)





Live blue crabs and fresh crab meat







Fresh Gulf shrimp (from west of the Mississippi delta, where shrimping apparently has not been greatly affected) -- $7/pound for 10-15 count





Rice



Hoosier Grandmama?



While Baton Rouge (the place of my birth and where my parents currently reside) is often overlooked as fly-over country between New Orleans and Acadiana or simply as a non-destination (which it probably is unless someone you know lives there or you are going to an LSU game or somesuch), there are many good eats to be had there. The Red Stick Farmer's Market is a reminder that Louisiana as a whole is a place rich with excellent local foodstuffs and culinary traditions.

Great photos, Matt. Thanks for sharing!

Nice looking shrimp!