Meals continue to include the summer abundance of produce. This past week, I ended up with a perhaps wild mix of foods in one meal: potato leek soup (very French), chili rellenos with lovely roasted and peeled poblano peppers (Mexican to the core) and watermelon (while we may think of it as our own now, it was originally domesticated in West Africa). It turned out to be a wonderful and satisfying meal. I’d been craving watermelon for some weeks, and then got to thinking about the nature of melons.
Nutritionally, there’s not as much going for watermelon as for other melons; it is 91% water, and that can be good for those who aren’t inclined to get enough fluids! According to the Mayo clinic, it is “loaded with the antioxident lycopene….and contains a good amount of vitamin A, C and potassium.” Beside the pleasure of seed spitting, it is the sugar is what draws us to this fruit no doubt.
The cantaloupe and honeydew melons have a few more calories per cup than watermelon, but not by much. And they have other benefits such as high vitamin A and C and more. “Because melons have such a high water content and also contain potassium, they’re fantastic choices for helping maintain healthy blood pressure levels” (Mayo Clinic website).
There is an abundance of melon at the market, so speak to the vendors about their recommendations, especially for storage if you’re inclined to stock up during these last two market weeks. You did read that correctly….just two more Saturdays for the Fayette County Farmers Market. Once you flip your calendar over to October, be prepared to be sad about this.
Come out to help the Second Chance – Center of Hope this Saturday. Modern Woodmen members will hold a personal care item drive-thru at the Farmers Market this Saturday from 8:30 a.m until noon. Easy to drive-thru and drop-off with social distanced and masked volunteers.
Second Chance – Center of Hope is a volunteer-based nonprofit that gives victims of domestic violence a start of a Second Chance, and provides HOPE to the homeless in our community.
Items most needed are: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant (men’s or women’s), paper towels, shaving cream and dish soap.
The Market is open 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 BET food benefit cards and credit/debit cards are accepted. Those using the SNAP EBT card for food purchases receive matching dollar “Produce Perks” tokens ($1 for $1) good only for fruits, vegetables, and food producing plants. So,”buy one, get one” for up to $25 EVERY market day. Five-dollar coupons will be available again for FAYETTE COUNTY Farm Bureau members at each Saturday market; these can be spent at the final Saturday markets. USE THESE NEXT TWO WEEKS to spend your coupons if you’ve been saving them! This goes for produce perks as well.
The following list contains the names and products of the vendors that expect to set up this Saturday. Other vendors may participate as well. Vendors who provide their phone number may be contacted for advance orders.
Persinger Produce and Cottage Food (Julie Mosny & David Persinger): The Pie Lady –Local honey, assorted fruit pies, Bun’s Bars, banana cake, pumpkin cookies, cinni mini’s, cinnamon rolls. The Jam Man – JAMS: peach, cherry, seedless blackberry, plum with cardamom, red raspberry, strawberry-rhubarb, pineapple habanero, red raspberry jalapeno, blackberry, triple berry and peach zinger habanero, and no-added sugar triple berry. Also assorted Texas sheet cakes.
Wood Designed by DW (Debbie Welch): Handmade, unusual wood crafts, including seasonal. Hand made crocheted dishtowels, clothes, potholders, pocket books and baby booties.
Your Other Mother’s Kitchen (Don & Sara Creamer—740-572-0134 – make advance orders before 5 p.m. Thursday): Artisan bread, muffins, brownies, blueberry crisp.
Bridge View Garden (Hunter & Lorelle Rohrer, 740-505-5125): Mums and potted sunflowers and decorative peppers. Seasonal produce including red raspberries, tomatoes, zucchini, sweet potatoes.
B.Y.E Gardens (Brian and Elaine Yoder): seasonal produce and baked goods including pumpkin whoopie pies. New fall print face masks (SALE ON MASKS). To place orders for baked goods call Elaine @ 740-606-6333 or message at [email protected].
Cozy Baby Blessings (Nancy Cutter): Fall throws, masks for adults and children, coasters, pot scrubbers, linen tea towels, wax melts (70+ with new fall scents!), baby essentials including crochet blankets and hats, onesies, bibs, flannel receiving blankets, burp cloths and teething toys. (12 new fabrics this week!)
Engedi (Alana Walters, Janet Bick, Beth Day): Assorted home baked goods including cinnamon rolls, yeast bread and rolls, cookies, fruit pies and noodles.
Greens & Greenery (Katrina Bush): Plants for native habitat and naturalizing: Button bush, Coral Berry (Indian Current), Snow Berry, Red Ozier dogwood, Silky and Gray dogwoods, Ninebark. Broom corn wreaths. Pie pumpkins and butternut squash. Candy (chocolate fudge and buckeyes), small pumpkin pies and pumpkin muffins (with out without chocolate chips), sourdough crackers (garlic/turmeric, rosemary, jalapeno/cumin, “everything,” ginger/wasabi, sea salt). Handmade glycerin and honey soaps and luffa scrubs.
King Farms (Jeff and Sandi King) and Gerhardts (Kevin Gerhardt): Super sweet white corn, honeydew, Crenshaw and other melons, vine ripe tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers. Baked goods.
