At last weeks Fayette County Farmers Market, the OSU James Mobile Kitchen was on hand providing demonstrations for making gazpacho and providing samples of other healthy treats, including salsa. The gazpacho recipe was sublime, featuring all vegetables that are available locally right now – tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, onions and garlic.
There are many who probably just can’t imagine eating a cold soup, and so may not have even tried it. But one of the things that makes this type of recipe brilliant is how versatile it is. This pureed concoction would make a fabulous base for a HOT vegetable soup, or add a different texture to fresh or canned salsa. It could easily be poured over a corn and bean salad, or used to brighten that drink containing alcohol that is served with a stalk of celery, or used to spoon over a breakfast burrito. There are many recipes for gazpacho; I liked how finely pureed this one was….it was almost like drinking a juice rather than a “soup.” It was alive with possibility! The recipe included balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper, and hot sauce. These are the mostly natural add in ingredients that complement and highlight the flavors of the vegetables.
Corn is huge at the market right now and there are multiple vendors selling it. Melons are only a few weeks away. If you have recipes for seasonal fruits and vegetables you’d like to share, stop by my booth and drop off a recipe or two, and we will feature your ideas in someway over the next weeks. Of course, you’ll also want to check out the kids craft at the info booth, no matter your age!
Main Street Fayette (MSF), a non-profit organization in Washington C.H., will join the market this week as our Community Guest. MSF’s goal is to organize downtown businesses, organizations, city leaders and residents to plan events, share ideas, support each other, and together, build up downtown WCH to create a welcoming family environment. Since 2015, MSF has been planning social events in downtown WCH like outdoor, free Movies on Main, regular Shop Hops, and their upcoming Wine and Art Walk, scheduled for Aug. 10. Stop by their tent to find out more about what this group has planned for WCH and how you can get involved.
The following list contains the names and products of the vendors that expect to set up this Saturday. Other vendors may participate as well.
Wood Designed by DW (Debbie Welch): Handmade, unusual wood crafts. Hand made crocheted dishtowels, clothes, potholders, pocket books and baby booties. Special orders welcome. Cookies, fudge.
Your Other Mother’s Kitchen (Don & Sara Creamer): Artisan breads, whole wheat brownie tarts, bran muffin tops, and scones.
B.Y.E Gardens (Brian and Elaine Yoder): Tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, cabbage, candy onions, bell peppers, garden salsa peppers, eggplant, Nirvana sweet corn, melons (no baked goods this week).
By Thy Hand (Mark and Lori Chrisman): Angel food cakes, specialty breads, pies, cookies, dip mixes, noodles.
Chilcote Farm (Bruce & Marlene Chilcote): Honey, cookies, chocolate sheet cake, ooey gooey cinnamon swirl cake, and cookie bars. Honey (including spring), cookies, ooey gooey cinnamon swirl cake, and blueberry crumb bars.
Cozy Baby Blessings (Nancy Cutter): Handmade baby essentials including crocheted baby blankets, burp cloths, bibs and teething rings.
DeBruin Family Dairy (Grant & Toni DeBruin): Organic produce, gourds, wildflower cards, homemade chocolate chip cookies.
Donaldson Workshop (Roger Donaldson): Wooden spoons, cutting boards, wooden sandwich trays, and walnut spatulas.
Engedi (Beth Day, Alana Walters, Janet Bick): Assorted home baked goods (cinnamon rolls, bread, yeast rolls, cookies, pies) and a special children’s activity.
Featherstone Apothecary (Sylvia Call): natural soaps, skincare items, beeswax food wraps, and dog items.
Gerhardts (Kevin Gerhardt): Super sweet white corn and a few cantaloupe melons.
Greens & Greenery (Katrina Bush): Natural insect repellent. Beeswax hand creams and lip balms with essential oils. Seasonal produce grown with organic practices– garlic, walla walla and yellow onions, leeks, cucumbers, zucchini, tomatillos, cherry tomatoes, carrots. Dried catnip and sacred (holy) basil (tea). Baklava, mini-pecan pies, chocolate and peanut butter fudge.
Jones Farm Fresh Produce (Jon & Taylor Jones): sweet corn, green beans, red potatoes, candy onions, cabbage, broccoli, cucumbers, squash, peaches, tomatoes, garlic, eggs, pork- sausage patties, bulk sausage, pork chops, sweet Italian and jalapeño links, chicken- chorizo links, chicken breast, wings, turkey- ground turkey, wings, drums, beef- ground and patties and chicken patties.
Kelsie’s K-9 Creations (Jennifer Anderson): Limited ingredient, purposeful cookies and treats for dogs.
King Farms (Jeff & Sandi King): Bi-color sweet corn, green beans, new red and Yukon potatoes, cucumbers, yellow squash, yellow and green zucchini, hot and sweet peppers. Homemade iced sugar cookies.
Margaret’s Memories (Sharon Fulkerson): Hand made items: dog sweaters, towels and dish cloths, face cloths, baby hats, felted bags.
Persinger Produce & Cottage Foods (David Persinger and Julie Mosny): The Jam Man will bring assorted jams and jellies including red raspberry jelly, red raspberry jalapeno jam, peach habanero, peach jalapeno, and mango habanero. Texas sheet cakes. The Pie Lady will have local honey, cherry, strawberry rhubarb, blackberry, black raspberry, peach and apple pies. Cinni mini’s, buns bars, oatmeal cookies, cinnamon rolls, and cherry cobbler.
