Grilling peaches
The Produce Exchange at the MN State Fair has long been a special space for frequent fairgoers who just need a fresh break from fried foods. Sitting right across from the Food Building, in the back shadow of the Giant Slide, The PX has been a source of light for certain guts and food media types (ahem) who by midweek crave the kombucha flights and fresh fruit on display.
Oh, and those peaches.
If you've seen people walking around the Fair with a giant peach cradled in a useless napkin as sweet juice tracks joyously down their face and arms, they have been to The PX. Those peaches are probably the best non-local thing at the fair. And now, they're taking it up a notch.
There's always been a tented space between The Px and Dino's Gyros which has rotated through vendors (last year was Costco, I think?). But Kevin and Sharon Hannigan, who also own The PX in its permanent location at the Midtown Global Market, have annexed that space. Having given up their spot in the West End (welcoming Nordic Waffles to the Fair), the Hannigans decided to focus on making their original spot the best it could be. They've installed a friendly patio with a deck, some tables, and a mobile kitchen.
The new PX patio!
"We wanted to have a nice little space for people to relax, and there's always such great live music at Dino's over the fence. Plus, now we can expand our menu a bit." What Sharon is talking about: grilled peaches. They are taking those luscious fruit bombs and grilling them to caramelize the sugars and take it next level.
Testing toppings
Sharon is working with pastry chef Alexandra Motz (who's part of the Spoon and Stable pastry crew) to come up with some creative toppings for the grilled peaches, but it's hard to mess with the simple perfection of a warm and charred peach. We'll see what makes the final cut.
Open daily at 9 a.m.!
If you are a Fair Fiend like us, and can't wait for more intel like this, check out our MN State Fair HQ and get ready, because this year we are launching The State Fair Daily! The daily post will be published each morning of the Fair, with tips, tricks, events, and so much hot Fair intel that you won't know how to skip a day. Check out mspmag.com for Day One launching this Thursday, Aug. 23!
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