It has been an excruciatingly long Spring in Canmore, Alberta. While I must remember that I am at an elevation of 1300m, even the locals are surprised that warmish weather has been difficult to come by.
In spite of this, the Canmore Farmer's Market opened on schedule, the first Thursday of June. Here you will find your traditional farm fare: fruit, vegetables, breads, textiles, and knick-knacks. One of the best things about visiting a market is that the tent operators are always very willing to let the customers taste their wares. You can attend a farmer's market on an empty stomach, and walk away satisfied without having spent a dime...
A better, less-hoboistic way of filling the hunger void is to sample from the inevitable food cart(s). Food carts are all the rage these days, and should easily be found at most farmer's markets. Canmore is no exception. Actually, there is an exception; a hot dog cart serving ELK!
I have eaten moose, horse, caribou, deer, and boar; but I have never sampled elk before. I was in for a treat. Imagine biting into a juicy jumbo hot dog, plump and full of flavour. Instead of the red colour that hot dogs traditionally have, this elk dog was darker on the spectrum, more towards a maroon. It was certainly leaner than a regular hot dog, with each bite packing a punch of taste. If you have ever tried non-supermarket meats, you'll know that game has a smokier flavour. One can pick up the artificial additives which commercial meats contain, and the dryer, saltier taste of elk.
Uncle Bernie's All Natural Meats provided the succulence. The farm is local, about 90 minutes from Canmore, where all their livestock is range fed. They take enormous pride in raising quality food, and it shows. I will be returning to their cart at the market, not just because the dog was delicious, but because they also have an elk smokie that I am anxious to try!!
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