For the past two weeks we’ve had a great time meeting and making new fans of my books and spice blends at Albuquerque’s Rail Yards Market, which is held each Sunday from 10am-2pm in the Barelas area, just south of downtown Albuquerque, and yes, right next to the railroad tracks!
Being the curious person I am, I did a little research (well, on Wikipedia, but I guess I’m not writing a college essay, so it sort of counts). Here’s what I found:
Barelas is an inner-city neighborhood of Albuquerque, New Mexico, located immediately south of Downtown. It consists of the triangular area bounded by Coal Avenue, the BNSF railroad tracks, and the Rio Grande. Originally a separate village, it was absorbed into Albuquerque during the railroad-fueled growth of the 1880s but still retains a distinct identity. The settlement was formally established in 1662, predating even Old Town as the oldest neighborhood in the city. Although it was long one of Albuquerque’s most economically distressed areas, Barelas has seen significant development since the opening of the National Hispanic Cultural Center in 2000 and may be starting to experience gentrification.
The neighborhood’s main commercial area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
This area also has a distinct, multi-cultural flavor, and the weekly market draws vendors including local farmers, cheese makers, spice makers (ahem!), artists, jewelry and clothing designers, musicians, and of course plenty of ready to eat food, coffee, desserts, and more. Each week we try to get away from our booth for a few minutes so we can meet and sample some of the other vendors’ wares and food items. We also love the positive attitude and loving atmosphere created by the friendly and hard working staff and vendors. If you’re in the Albuquerque area on a Sunday anytime between May and October, be sure to check out the Rail Yards for a fun, relaxing, positive experience!
And check out this awesome video that Kristen created based on the great experiences we’ve had so far at the Rail Yards:
In the coming weeks, I’ll share some recipes I’ve created using some of the meat, produce, and spices I’ve hunted and gathered at the Rail Yards. For example, yesterday I made this yummy Asian-Southwestern Fusion Sandwich with Spicy Microgreens from Mountain View Growers and Pan-Seared Cumin-Red Chile Pork from Polk’s Folly Farms.
Asian-Southwestern Fusion Sandwich with Spicy Microgreens and Cumin-Red Chile Pan-Seared Pork on a Green Chile Cheese Bagel
You can find both of these excellent local food providers each Sunday at the Rail Yards, or contact them personally:
Mountain View Growers
Edgewood, NM
mountainviewgrowers.nm@gmail.com
(505) 934-1430
Polk’s Folly Farm
PO Box 685
Sandia Park, NM 87047
(505) 503-0395
Be sure to bookmark this site so you can come back often, and better yet, sign up on the right and you’ll receive a free membership to our Mountain Man Gourmet Recipes Club. Throughout each month you’ll get free recipes, member-only news and live events and discounts, cooking and shopping tips, and more. That way you won’t miss out on a thing as you watch us grow our business, learn from our successes and “learning moments,” and support us in our effort to help the world learn to Live Well, Eat Well, and Be Happy!
