Even though it was threatening rain today, I managed to stroll through the Pearly Alley Market for a bit. I saw someone carrying a lovely flower arrangement and I had my heart set on one for myself, but they seemed to be sold out by the time I got to the flower/farmer end. Ah, well.
I did, however, have my first piece of My Mama's Sweet Potato Pie! (I made my very own sweet potato pie this past winter - the first one I'd ever tasted - and ran it by a few sweet potato pie aficionados who thought that, although pretty good for a white northerner, it lacked the crucial ingredient - nutmeg.) Well, this sweet potato pie had just the right amount of nutmeg. I think I like sweet potato pie. It's not too sweet, so you could almost justify having it for breakfast, like I did (I was still enjoying my morning coffee).
My Mama's Sweet Potato Pie is a local operation, stated by Marvin Swain in 1986. They supply pies to Kroger stores and even team up with Jeni's Ice Cream for a seasonal ice cream around Thanksgiving. The man who sells it at the Pearl Alley Market is just about as charming as the pie! Slices are $2 apiece, a steal considering you can buy one for an afternoon soul-satisfying pick-me-up and avoid the office vending machine altogether. Pearl Alley sells only the original variety, but you can also pick up lemon, coconut, pecan and pineapple from their Livingston Avenue location (across Parsons from Children's Hospital).
Info: My Mama's Sweet Potato Pie 813 E. Livingston Ave 614.444.4282, also available at Kroger stores in Columbus and Cincinnati, and at the Pearl Alley Market on Tuesdays and Fridays, 10:30am - 2pm.
