We explored the stretch of the Connecticut River from the Massachusetts border north to Quechee Gorge, VT and Lebanon, NH. Our itinerary started with a late breakfast at the dedicated locavore Chelsea Royal Diner in Brattleboro, a visit to the farmers market, and then a drive northward along VT Rte 5, hugging the river the whole way.

We made a number of discoveries and renewed our acquaintanceship with some old friends, but nothing beat the Brattleboro Farmers Market!

There are actually two Farmers Markets in Brattleboro: the summer-fall market by the river was having their last, pre-Thanksgiving market, and the indoor market downtown was open. Both were busy.

 What was so exciting? We found a few heirloom local vegetables that were new to us: Gilfeather Turnip, Long Pie Pumpkin, and Lutz Green Leaf Beet, plus the Italian Chioggia beet and a scarlet turnip. We also scored sausages from pasture-raised pork and beef from Dexter cattle, Just So Vermont unsweetened black-currant juice that is sure to become an ingredient in something, and artisanal ciders from Whetstone Ciderworks.

Most of this plunder will be cooked up in one of our Discovery Feasts this week.