Deglazed

Happy Boy Farms was showing off their Nancy Hall Sweet Potatoes this weekend at the Montclair Farmers Market. Just as heirloom tomatoes made their way into mainstream home cooking, sweet potato varieties are on their way.

According to the Steele Plant Company, Nancy Halls tend to be a favorite of the silver fox set, as Nancy Halls gained their popularity in the 30′s and 40′s. That qualifies as a “remember when our food supply was still uncorrupted?” moment. The yellow flesh and thin skin make a juicy baked potato. Now just serve it still wrapped in foil, and you have haute cuisine circa 1936.

This week, the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market was more of a spectacle than usual, with Brussels sprout revivalists trying in vain to shove the stunning stalks into fancy, woven, farmers market baskets. One lady had it slung over her shoulder like a pair of skis. It was easier for one couple to put baby on daddy’s shoulders and the spiny vegetable cluster in the Bugaboo. Nevertheless, we all know it’s worth the effort, and not just because they are full of Vitamin A, C and iron. My parents were wrong, it might just be the most pleasant cabbage to eat.