Market News - August 31, 2010
From the Market Manager
Well, here we are with more hot weather, but what a difference it makes when it isn’t so humid also.The hot weather, as you are aware by now, has pushed much of the produce into maturing earlier than usual. So, we had apples this month that we usually don’t see until September, the peach crop is almost done, some of our farmers’ tomato crop is finished etc. But, there is plenty of produce around, so if you want to preserve some of summer’s bounty, now is the time to do it. Make some peach crisp, don’t cook it, but freeze it for later on. Use native tomatoes like this--cut them in halves or quarters, drizzle them with some olive oil, and bake at 400 degrees until they’ve lost some of their moisture. Puree them, freeze, and you have the beginnings of a wonderful tomato sauce. I don’t peel mine.
You can make bread and butter pickles with zucchini; a recipe for them is in the green crate. There are many things you can do with zucchini; it is a versatile vegetable. I am still using some relish that I made 3 years ago. (I made too much, but it doesn’t spoil if you keep it in the refrigerator, or if you can it.)
It is so enjoyable to pull something out of the freezer, or to open a jar of something that you’ve made yourself. And, homemade jam, salsa, or pickles make great gifts.
Buy utility apples or tomatoes to make your recipes; you don’t need to buy first quality.
This ‘n’ That
The Sector H, Forest Park and East Forest Park beat management team meeting is this Wednesday evening at 7PM at Sinai Temple, 1100 Dickinson St. Go in the right rear entrance. Everyone is welcome.Please take down tag sale signs when the sale is over. Also, if you see any signs about
buying houses for cash, etc., they are illegal, so knock those down also. A stick that you use with a paint roller is the right length and strength for that task.
I have also noticed that many people who use the Forest Park tennis courts park across the street so that they don’t have to pay to use our facilities. Once again, it’s okay to use Springfield services, but they don’t want to live here or pay for them. I wonder if they are some of the people who complain about how “awful” Springfield is.
Remember, our market is extending 3 weeks into November this year. I don’t know about a winter market yet.
Tomato and Watermelon Salad
3 or 4 small to medium heirloom tomatoes in assorted colors cored and cut into ¾” chunks1 small English or regular cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into ¾” in chunks
1 cup ¾” cubed yellow or red seedless watermelon flesh
1 Hass avocado, halved, pitted, peeled and cut into ¾” cubes
1 T. chopped mixed fresh herbs, in any combination—basil, tarragon, chives, and cilantro
¼ coriander seed
3 T. extra virgin olive oil
3 T aged balsamic vinegar
kosher salt, and freshly ground pepper
In a bowl combine tomatoes, cucumber, melon, avocado and herbs. In a spice grinder, grind the coriander seeds to a fine powder (or use ground). Add to the tomato mixture and toss gently. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Pour over the mixture and toss to coat evenly. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
A variation of this is to use feta cheese, rice vinegar, and mint.
Gifts
Tokens to use at our market are a good gift. You can put some in a card and the receiver can use them however they wish.Reminder--next week will be the last for Susan Parks this year, so buy your lotion and soap NOW! Her online business will continue while she is away.
And, this is the last week for the ice cream bus. Michael will start teaching next week.
Honey is always a good gift. Hickory Dell Farm has local honey and Appalachian Naturals items as well.
Heard on NPR
The junior senator from New York has been meeting with farmers from that state to learn some of what they’d like to have that will help them to be productive and financially stable now and in the future.Dairy farmers are almost earning what it costs them to produce their milk. They need to do much better than that to continue farming.
Farmers would like to see a guest worker program so that workers from other countries could come here on a special visa, go home when the work finishes for the year, and come back again to work. They said that not every farm worker wants to become a U.S. citizen.
Contribute if you can
By now many of you know that a 25 year old immigrant from Guatemala was murdered last Thursday night on his way home from getting take out food from a Chinese restaurant on Orange St. The Pioneer Valley Project, a legitimate non-profit in Springfield, is collecting money to help with funeral expenses. If you’d like to contribute, please send it to The Pioneer Valley Project, 90 McKinstry Ave., #201 Chicopee 01013.
