Dish & Drink KC: The Overland Park Farmers’ Market delights in its final two weekends of the 2023 season

Chai spice scone from Velouté. // Photo by Lauren Textor

The only thing that can lure me out of the house most Saturday mornings is the prospect of a good farmers’ market. Even if I’m practically dead on my feet from the night before, I’ll manage to lace up my shoes and maneuver into a parking spot so I can score some freshly baked bread or crisp local produce. 

The 2023 season for the Overland Park Farmers’ Market is almost over. There are only two more weekends of the usual marketplace setup, along with the Dec. 2 holiday market, before the year ends. To celebrate, I picked up a few treats from some of my favorite vendors. 

Velouté

Ah, Velouté. You introduced me to my first beignet. It huffed powdered sugar all over my shirt when I bit into it. It was worth it. 

Although I’m fond of the classic beignet (and the price— 2 for $5), this time, I opted for the chai spice scone ($4.50). The pastry itself isn’t warm, but the flavor is. 

You know how people use the phrase “like a warm hug” to describe drinks sometimes? That’s exactly how I feel when I sip a mug of chai. Like I’m enveloped by the steaming, spiced liquid with its mellow notes of cinnamon and cardamom. This scone emulates that feeling to an admirable degree. 

If pastries aren’t your thing, Velouté also serves crepes, pomme frites, quiche, French onion soup, and croque monsieur—an impressive spread for a market tent. 

Velouté is a family business, and owners Pascal and Brianna Larcher are often joined at their market tent by their two young daughters. Pascal is from Toulon, France, and has benefitted from some seriously fancy culinary training, which he’s already passing down to his girls. 

You can pre-order Thanksgiving tartes from Velouté until Nov. 15. They’re available for pick-up at the Overland Park Market Pavilion from 4-6 p.m. on Nov. 22. 

German Chocolate Pie from MO Pie. // Photo by Lauren Textor

MO Pie

Every year, my mom bakes my dad a German Chocolate cake for his birthday. And also, my birthday. And my sisters’ birthdays. And basically, any other occasion that might justify it. 

While I loved baked goods, cake isn’t at the top of my list in general, and I’ve never seen the appeal of the extra-gooey icing that tops the GCC. But I will always find a reason to support local businesses, and last Saturday, MO Pie was selling $15 halves of German Chocolate pie. 

I brought one home for my parents, and I nabbed a partial slice for myself (as any good food writer would do). 

First off, MO Pie is just exceptional. The founder spent more than two decades at the helm of Tippin’s as VP, and I went absolutely crazy for Tippin’s pies as a kid. My mom usually branded the whole ones too expensive, but sometimes my aunt would buy me a single slice from Hen House. And MO Pie… well, it blows Tippin’s out of the water. 

The German Chocolate pie has a layer of flaky crust at the base, with thick layers stacked atop like desert sediment. You have your sweet, nutty goo, your shaved coconut, your chocolate chips, and your pecans on top. It’s super rich, but that’s how GC is supposed to be. Plus, the German Chocolate pie is literally pictured on the “about” page of the company website, as if you needed any more convincing. 

Spinach and feta Israeli Boureka from Anna’s Bakery. // Photo by Lauren Textor

Anna’s Bakery

The bakery’s namesake, Anna, was raised in Moldova by a family of bakers. When you buy a European pastry from her, you get the real deal. 

Amongst the pans of braided Challah, strudel, and pirozhki at Anna’s table, the spinach and feta boureka ($4.50) immediately caught my eye. Sometimes, that happens, but usually, I do my due diligence and ask what the owner, server, or cashier recommends. 

Luckily for me, Anna validated my choice and said that it was her favorite. 

When I bit into the boureka, a mumbled “Oh, yes” escaped my lips (along with a few crumbs). 

The outside is flecked with sesame seeds, like a more worldly everything bagel. Cushioned inside the savory pastry is (obviously) spinach and salty feta, but a few other simple ingredients play a part: baby dill, sea salt, and black pepper. 

Anna’s Bakery is currently only accepting direct orders by phone at (913) 406-8829, but you can visit the website to see the pastries on offer. 

Cranberry orange bread from Schenker Family Farms. // Photo by Lauren Textor

Schenker Family Farms

My mom and I are both big fans of fresh bread (extra points if it includes fruit or nuts!). Nearly every time I visit a farmers’ market, I call her to give her the rundown on her options.

Before I even ducked into the Schenker Family Farms tent, I had her dialed up.

“Okay. We have banana, zucchini, pumpkin, lemon blueberry—”

“You can just get whatever you want. I’ll eat it.” 

My mom is not a picky eater, especially when it comes to bread. I can relate.

“Ooooh! Cranberry orange!” 

“Oh, cranberry orange!” 

Cranberry orange is one of the best flavor combinations bakers have invented. Scones, muffins, cookies… They’re all delicious. 

The Schenker loaf of cranberry orange is $7, and it’s perfectly moist, cakey, and cohesive. Unlike some dessert breads, it won’t crumble if you attempt to butter it. The cranberries add a smidge of tartness, and the orange zests and sweetens. It’s a perfect accompaniment to breakfast. It’s also made with a handful of recognizable ingredients: oranges, cranberries, flour, sugar, vegetable oil, egg, buttermilk, baking powder, soda, vanilla, and salt. 

Schenker Family Farms offers gluten-free baked goods, eggs, fresh cuts of meat, cookies, candied pecans, and bones! (For broth or your canine pal.)

The Overland Park Farmers’ Market’s 2023 season runs until Nov. 18. The market is held from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 7950 Marty, Overland Park, KS 66204. The holiday market is from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Dec. 2 at the same location.