A piece of Charlotte’s farmers market history resides in the Mecklenburg County Market near uptown. Beverly McLaughlin and three generations of her Charlotte family have been running this farmers market since the 1920s. I have been buying my produce from Beverly for the last decade. Her heirloom tomatoes are the juiciest and best tomatoes that I’ve ever bought, and that says alot coming from this Florida girl who grew up on the best tomatoes on the planet.
My true life changing moment was when I discovered Beverly’s Gourmet Foods. Beverly and her culinary team cook recipes rooted deep in her family and every single one is delicious. I feel like I have my own personal vegetarian chef! As a busy mama of four very active kids, I never have time to slow down, much less cook a healthy meal, even in the summer. My kids love Beverly’s foods as much as I do. Our favorites are the planet burgers, any and all soups, quiches, breakfast casseroles, salad dressings, pimento cheese – well, I can honestly say all of it! So, here’s the good part. And I’ll be honest, I’ve been hesitant to share this with Smarty Charlotte because it’s one of Charlotte’s best kept secrets.
Beverly’s Gourmet Foods hosts a frozen food sale once a season at the YWCA. She fills up a conference room of frozen delicatessens so you can stock your freezer at 50% off. Her next sale is this Thursday, June 22nd from 10a-noon. Y’all better get in line early (save me a spot please:-) because her stuff sells out FAST! I would recommend arriving with your cooler at 9:45 and get your spot! It’s first come, first served. Address is YWCA 3420 Park Road (in the board room).
So grab your best gal pal and load up your coolers! Then make your way over to the Mecklenburg County Market and get your fruits and veggies. You won’t need to hit a grocery store for a long time! Make sure you say “hi” to Beverly, and guess what? She’s going to be sharing some of her recipes with us on CSP in the near future!! We can’t wait!!
Here is the line-up for this week…
Quiches:
Tomato Basil Pies (SOOOO GOOD!!)
Mediterranean – Vegetarian
Spinach and Mushroom- Vegetarian
Asparagus and Goat Cheese – Vegetarian
Soups:
GAZPACHO – Vegan, GF
Roasted Cauliflower Soup – Vegetarian, GF
Roasted Red Pepper Soup – Vegan, GF
Sweet Basil Curry – Vegan, GF
Chilled Cucumber Soup – Vegetarian, GF
Wild Rice Chowder – Vegetarian, GF
Vegetable Chili – Vegan, GF
Asparagus Bisque – Vegetarian, GF
Red Lentil – Vegan, GF
Casseroles:
Cabbage Rolls – Vegan,GF
Vegan Mac and Cheese – Vegan, GF (your kids will never touch a boxed mac and cheese again!)
Squash Casserole – Vegetarian
Baked Ziti – Vegetarian
Black Bean Lasagna – Vegetarian
Buffalo Cauliflower – Vegetarain
Salads:
Kale Salad – Crunchy- Vegan, GF
Sesame Salad – Vegan, GF (NEW)
Potato Salad, Vegetarian, GF (this is crazy, crazy good!)
Lentil Salad with Fruited Bulgar – Vegan, GF
Tofu Lettuce Wraps – Vegan, GF
Vegan Burgers:
Planet Burger – Vegan, GF (best veggie burger I’ve ever had!)
Vegan Sloppy Joe – Vegan, GF
Salad Dressings:
Lemon Tahini – Vegan, GF (my personal favorite)
Cilantro Lime – Vegetarian, GF
Blue Cheese – Vegetarian, GF
Blueberry Vinaigrette – Vegan, GF
Remoulade Sauce – Vegetarian, GF
Dips & Spreads:
Pimento Cheese – Vegetarian, GF (doesn’t get any better!)
Vegetable Spread – Vegetarian, GF
Egg Salad- Vegetarian, GF
Kalamata Olive Spread – Vegetarian, GF
Cauliflower Hummus, Vegan, GF
You can always find Beverly’s Gourmet Foods at:
Beverly’s Gourmet Foods
Mecklenburg County Market
1515 Harding Place, Charlotte, NC
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 9am – 6pm
Saturday: 7am – 3pm
Sunday: Noon – 5pm
(704)533-0073
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Beverly’s Gourmet Foods is also sold at:
Davidson Farmers Market
Charlotte Regional Farmers Market
Cotswold Farmers Market
Whole Foods SouthPark & Waverly
Reid’s
