Last week I took the day off to visit the Stellenbosch Fresh Goods Market at Oude Libertas wine estate. This is the leading gourmet food market in the Cape Winelands and it ran from the 1st – 4th of July as part of the Stellenbosch Wine Festival.
I went along on the first day, which was a week day and thus nice and quiet, allowing me to easily take in all that was on offer. It was a beautiful, warm winter’s day and I walked into food heaven! On display were the finest and largest selections of Cape Winelands local foods and award-winning wines.
I decided to start my culinary tour with a traditional Cape Malay samoosa, to line the stomach and prepare myself for the indulgences that lay ahead. After enjoying possibly the best samoosa I’ve ever had, I promptly moved on to a glass of bubbly from Du Toitskloof wine estate, accompanied by a fresh oyster smothered in lemon juice, salt, pepper and a dash of Tabasco.
Sticking with seafood, I then hit the sushi bar hosted by Hayashi Asian Restaurant, where I ordered a combo of salmon California Rolls, Salmon Rainbow Rolls, Crab and Avo Maki and Prawn Sandwiches. All this was washed down with more bubbly! Yum!
Feeling rather glad I’d worn loose-fitting clothing, I carried on to taste some curries, koeksisters and doughnuts from The Black Olive, which specializes in traditional Cape Malay cuisine. Man, are their koeksisters good! I had to stop myself from going back for more, and contented myself with getting their recipe (look out for it in the webletter soon).
Dessert out of the way, it was time to walk off all the food and take in some of the other attractions. With my trusty glass of champers in hand I ambled round the amphitheatre and main hall, taking in the assortment of original art, jewellery design, clothing, ceramics and more. Unfortunately it was too early for the entertainment, due to start later in the afternoon, which was to include a selection of local performing artists, music, drumming and dancing.
My route somehow led me back to the food stands, where I bought some delicious dried fruit and nuts from Blue Sky Organics. Thinking ahead for lunch the next day, I moved towards an enticing stand, The Gourmet Pantry, where I took quite some time choosing between all the beautiful pies on offer. Eventually, I managed to tear myself away from the usual chicken and mushroom and try something a little different – pork and apple.
All these important decisions left me feeling a little thirsty, so I headed in the direction of a beer stand. But it wasn’t just any beer. ‘Darling Brew’ tastes of honey and is so smooth it leaves you thirsting for more. I was told that the logo design was inspired by the geometric tortoise, an endangered species found only in the Western Cape and Kalahari. The Darling brewers believe the tortoise captures the unhurried character of their beer.
After a nice strong cup of coffee to wake me from my food coma, I felt I’d had an elephant’s sufficiency and called it a day. But I’ll be back next year! This is certainly a food festival I recommend.
Find these tasty treats year round:
- Hayashi Asian Restaurant: Shop No 6, Springbok Building, c/o Andringa Street and Merriman Ave, Stellenbosch
- The Black Olive – Traditional Cape Malay Cuisine: Rushda Achmat, cell: 079 966 0660, e-mail: [email protected]
- Blue Sky Organics: www.blueskyorganics.co.za
- The Gourmet Pantry: 141 Main Road, Diep River, Tel: 021 715 0277
- Darling Brew: 082 889 1175, E-mail: [email protected]
