Find Fresh Sweet Produce at Ann Smith's Farm Market Our Hidden Gems is an ongoing series to find, well, the great finds in Cape May. We're talking little finds, but the kind that can really add to your day. This first story is about the amazing little West Cape May candy onion.

Anne Smith's Farm Market in West Cape May sells the sweetest, tastiest onions that will ever grace your Cape May grill top. I discovered Ann Smith's just last year. A buddy was in town, and we had just picked up fresh cut porterhouse steaks from West Side. We were heading back to grill and barely noticed the tiny produce stand off to the side on Bayshore Road. Literally, if you blink you'll drive right by it...

... We wanted the perfect compliment to the steaks. What we got was a produce lady delivering an impassioned 25 minute sermon on the magic of her beloved candy onions — that's what they're called. She preached her sweet gospel with the conviction of a believer. "Just quarter cut with a big knife...nothing fancy...like this...salt and pepper...you will not believe the taste...stick a big wedge of butter between the cross cut... drizzle some olive oil....I'm telling you in all my years...wrap it up tight in tin foil and grill longer than you think because these babies were born to caramelize." Born to caramelize. The candy onion lady was nice if not a bit wacky, but after our meal we realized she wasn't wacky. She was right. Born to caramelize. I'm telling you, these are onions that know their destiny on this good earth. And that's making the ultimate taste bud dance party in your mouth.


^{click to see short video clip about Cape May's tastiest, sweetest grilling onion}

CapemayX.com visited Ann Smiths Farm Market to get the sweet story first hand. The candy onion lady wasn't there, but we did catch up with Helen, Ann Smith's friendly owner. She's also quite knowledgeable about the local produce.


50 cents for beautiful basil If you're new to Cape May, Ann Smiths Farm Market is the kind secret find that you'll remember years from now. "Remember that great summer in 2006, yeah and that meal with those grilled candy onions and corn and fish." The Market is open from the third week in July until approximately mid September. And even if you don't like onions, check out the other great Cape May area produce that's always fresh and priced just right for family vacationers and locals alike. See the basil bunch in the photo? 50 cents!

capemayX.com commentary:

With all respect to Helen, don't use the microwave. It's just not the same. With these Cape May candy onions, you want the grill magic that only comes from natural heat and out of control flames trying to beat their way through the tin foil, past the seasoning and onto the onions. Remember — born to caramelize — that's what you're going for. And let the onions get darker than you think.

Recipe:
Ann Smith's Farm Market Candy Onions. Try large and small size. They cook differently and you may decide one approach really works to your taste. We prefer the smaller ones. Peel them, and cut into quarters, but not all the way through (this way the onion will hold together). Wrap into bottom of piece of tin foil. Wedge a slab of butter right between the cut marks. Add generous amount of salt and pepper (fresh cracked pepper of course). Pour extra virgin olive oil on top. Don't be dainty — pour it in. Seal up the tin foil tight, drop onto hot grill flame and cook until caramelize and bits are dark. It could be anywhere from 15 to 25 minutes depending on your heat and taste. It's worth watching them closely the first time to figure out the timing. And try this: after you've decided they're done, cook the onions 10 more minutes. Yes it will make them more burned, but we bet the taste will surprise you (in a good way).

*If you really got your Bobby Flaying, try adding a favorite seasoning. We're purists, but hey, to each their own. Final question. Does anyone know the history of the candy onion? If you do, we'd love to hear it. We'll do a follow-up and post to capemayX.com if you really know your stuff! Send us note.

A Map to find Cape May's bet grilling Onion

Click for capemayX map to find Ann Smith's Farm Stand