Last Saturday’s article was devoted to squash in general, and the cooking of spaghetti squash in particular. Because squash is so versatile, nutritional and delicious, and because the pumpkin is one type of squash (in the cucurbitaceae family….there are four families of squash), it seems only fitting that the pumpkin receive featured status.

The pumpkin is most associated with pumpkin pie, but almost any recipe that calls for squash will adapt well to use of pumpkin (but NOT spaghetti squash recipes). This is true for recipes for roasted squash and squash soup. But because pumpkin is mostly used to make pies, let’s talk pumpkin pie for a moment.

Raise your hand if you have ever made or eaten a pumpkin pie using canned pumpkin (probably purchased from the grocery store unless you are ignoring the OSU extension offices warnings against canning your own pumpkin!). That is the kind of pumpkin pie I grew up with, and quite honestly, I never chose it unless we were totally out of pecan or blueberry pie or any other Thanksgiving dessert.

Ok…now let’s see a showing of hands of those who have made or eaten a pumpkin pie made with homegrown baked and pureed pumpkin (preferably pie pumpkin, but let’s not quibble at this point). Let me tell you, if you have not experienced this treat, it is a totally different pie. Pumpkins, as are other squash, are maturing early this year. So, buy and cook your own pumpkin for pies this fall and winter. Prepared pumpkin freezes well and two cups of pumpkin is the amount most pie recipes require. And stop by the Greens and Greenery vendor booth on Saturday at the Fayette County Farm Market for a sample of pumpkin pie made with homegrown cooked and processed pumpkin.

Tom’s Tool Shed will be available again this Saturday for tool sharpening at a reasonable price.

The Market is open every Saturday morning from 8:30 to noon and is located in the municipal parking lot on the corner of South Main and East East streets in Washington C.H. SNAP EBT food benefit cards, Senior Farm Market coupons and credit/debit cards are accepted—stop by the FM “Info and Children’s Booth” (beside the Sunshine Cleaners) for assistance. Those using the SNAP EBT card for produce receive matching dollar VeggieSNAP tokens ($1 for $1) for additional fruits and vegetables. So,”buy one, get one” for fruit and vegetables, up to $10 EVERY market day.

The following list contains the names and products of the vendors that expect to set up for the Saturday Market. Other vendors may participate as well.

This and That (Mary Ford): Garden and home crafts (summer goose dresses, coasters, mug rugs, aprons, OSU items, jewelry), baked goods (apple butter bread, PB fudge).

Wood by DW (Debbie Welch): Wood primitives and sewn kitchen crafts.

Alpaca Kingdom Acres (Hank White): Alpaca wares: Dryer balls, yarns, alpaca fiber clothing and more.

B.Y.E Gardens (Brian and Elaine Yoder): Tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, candy onions, winter squashes, homegrown popcorn, cinnamon rolls and various other baked goods.

Dan’s Deli (Denise Rhodes): Reubens, phillies, fried bologna, burgers, hot dogs and soda.

Engedi (Beth Day, Alana Walters, Janet Bick): Assorted home baked goods (cinnamon rolls, bread, yeast rolls, cookies, pies, brownies, cobblers, whoopie pies,small specialty bread), Icees, and a children’s activity.

Garland Farms (Issac Garland): Sweetcorn.

Gerhardts (Kevin Gerhardt): A lot of big red seeded watermelon, red seedless, maybe some yellow and orange seedless watermelon, white and bi-color super sweet corn.

Greens & Greenery (Katrina Bush): Pumpkin pie sampling. Perennial flowers and herbs for fall planting. produce including fresh garlic, Matt’s Wild cherry tomatoes, tomatillos, sweet potatoes, small pie pumpkins and white “pumpkin” gourds, fresh dried herbs (sage, basil), herbal teas (sacred basil, lemon verbena). Baklava (walnut and honey pastry).

Jones Farm Fresh Produce (Jon & Taylor Jones): Green beans, red potatoes, yellow onions, peppers (bell and habanero), tomatoes, sausage patties, sweet Italian links and jalapeño links. *Note that this Saturday 9/16 the freezer will be fully stocked with chicken and pork products!

King Farms (Jeff & Sandi King): Green Beans, red and Yukon potatoes and tomatoes.

Katrina Bush is a vendor with the Fayette County Farm Market.