Table Talk » National Farmer's Market Week

The Department of Agriculture declared August 2-8 as National Farmers Market Week. The Derry Farmers Market just opened in July and I've been enjoying shopping at it every Wednesday afternoon. It's a small, but bustling market with a good mix of local products including produce, baked goods, maple syrup, wine, flowers and plants.

I love being able to meet the people who are growing my food and learn about what they are growing and how they are growing it. This winter, I'll be getting 1/2 of a pastured pig from one of the farmers.

This week's market bounty included swiss chard, eggplants, red onions, caramelized onion biscuits, lemon cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, leeks, and shallots.

The lemon cucumbers are not lemony, rather they get their name because they look like lemons. I sliced them thinly and dressed them with olive oil, white wine vinegar, salt, pepper, minced parsley, and a splash of lemon. For an even prettier salad, you could slice one lemon cucumber and one regular cucumber. I love that you don't have to peel cucumbers that come from a local farmer.

The eggplants are destined to be used in Tofu Triangles with Thai Chili Sauce that I hope to make tomorrow. I bet some of the hot peppers make it's way into this dish. The hot peppers will also be used in a Mexican black bean and corn salad.

The caramelized onion biscuits were served with Salmon Cakes. These are very tasty. The baker has a variety of savory biscuits. There was one with zucchini and one with bacon and cheese. Maybe I'll try that one next week.

On Sunday, the swiss chard will either go into scrambled eggs for breakfast or be sautéed with garlic for dinner. The leeks will make an appearance in mashed potatoes with leeks.

The red onions and shallots will appear in a variety of dishes throughout the week. Red onions are my favorite onions, and shallots improve just about anything. Some will go in salad dressing.

The cherry tomatoes are for munching. They sit out on the counter ready to be enjoyed as a snack or as part of a meal.

Posted August 8, 2010 12:20 PM in Kitchen Garden/Farmstand

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1 Comment(s)

Cindy Barnard said… (on August 8, 2010 at 12:42 PM #)

Is this the best time of year for foodies...or what?
I want to buy any fresh, local vegies that I see despite my
overflowing garden and my dad's overflowing garden and my FULL frig.
It's like being in a candy store.
Enjoy it while we can.