Frozen, BBQ’s and Onion Marmalade

I’m having one of those days where everything is frustrating and you feel really on edge and agitated.  I’ve done some baking, some cleaning and had lunch, and I’ve started working on a playlist for our wedding reception (I’ve got a whole page of songs and not one of them is from this century… I’m a cheesy nostalgic kinda gal..).  I still feel super agitated so I’ve done what any sensible person would do.  I’ve made a coffee in my favourite mug, put my trusty Frozen DVD on (I know it’s bad when I need the film not just the soundtrack) and sat down to tell you all about some market buddies of mine.

Who doesn’t love a good barbecue?  It’s so British isn’t it, as soon as the weather looks a little brighter out come the coals and the lighter fluid and so ensues a season of burnt burgers and crusty rolls.

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And of course, we need our accompaniments.  I mean, we’ve all got ketchup, mayo and salad cream but let’s open our minds a little bit…. to onion marmalade…. I promise you, there’ll be no looking back.  It’s tangy, oniony, and just a little bit different.  Make your barbecue stand out from the crowd!  Break the BBQ Rules!  This came highly recommended by Sandra from M Farmers Market, who actually makes this one.  She has regular competitions with her husband Brian as to which sells best, the red onion marmalade or the onion marmalade, the former made by Brian.  Apparently Brian is super competitive and sometimes hides the jars of onion marmalade so that he always wins with his red onion variety!

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M Farmers Market, run by Sandra and Brian, has been going from strength to strength for years now.  They are a little different from most other stallholders as they actually run a lot of farmers markets as well as trade at them.  And it all started in my hometown of Rochester!  The market is coming up to its 15th birthday next month, and all those years ago there were no farmers markets in the area.  Sandra and Brian ran a one off market which the council loved and they got the go ahead for a 6 month trial run.  They muddled through and worked things out themselves as there were so little rules and regulations back then, and the rest, as they say, is history!  Rochester is still going strong, run by different people now, and M Farmers Market run a range of successful markets across Kent including West Malling, Chislehurst and Hall Place, Bexley.

M Farmers Markets sell a huge variety jams and marmalades – in fact they sell 23 varieties of jams, a quarter of which (including the delicious banana jam that my fiancé is addicted to) were requested by customers.  So if in their plentiful supply you can’t find that specific jam flavour then don’t be afraid to ask!!  Why not come and have a peek at what they have to offer this Sunday at West Malling Farmers Market?  It’s open from 930 – 130 and we will be there too, along with loads and loads of other stallholders!

Find out more about M Farmers Markets on their website or follow them on Twitter!