There are a couple of mulberry trees in our backyard. They are beginning to ripen now, and are so sweet and juicy. Back in Maryland, when my children were small, they loved to climb up into the mulberry tree and eat them as they ripened. The birds didn’t have a chance at these. Wendy, Erin and Jon watched the berries even more closely than the birds. They were so cute when they came in with their “berry smiles” and purple fingers.
Saturday was sunny and very warm. The market was steady throughout the morning, with many vendors selling out by 1 p.m. One customer stopped by around 2 and remarked there didn’t appear to be many vendors this year. On the contrary — we have doubled in size. The old adage about the “early bird” fits well here.
We pick fruits and vegetables, and make our baked goods as close as possible before market days so they will be fresh. Early shoppers like to get the freshest products, so everything disappears quickly.
The first weeks of a new season may have limited quantities of some vegetables and fruits depending on the weather. As the season progresses, more produce as well as a wider variety of produce will be available. We should have ample quantities to last throughout the day by then.
This week at the market
Locally grown:
Asparagus
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cherries (sour)
Cucumbers
Dill
Greens — collards, spinach
Green onions
Lettuce — Butterhead, Romaine, Leaf
Onions
Peas
Potatoes
Radishes
Rhubarb
Salad turnips
Strawberries
Squash — yellow and zucchini
Tomatoes (heirloom and regular slicers)
Fresh Eggs
Fresh from Florida:
Cucumbers
Melons
Tomatoes
Local meats:
Pork breakfast sausage (mild, medium and hot)
Cajun sausage
Chorizo sausage
Italian sausage (sweet, zesty)
Canadian bacon
Cured, sliced bacon
Unseasoned ground pork
Ribs, roasts and chops
Ham and shoulder steaks
Fresh lamb
Fresh beef
Garden plants:
Assorted flowers
Assorted herbs
Heirloom and regular tomatoes
Leeks
Peppers
Squash
Onion Sets
Homemade:
Note: Some baked goods available Saturdays only
Breads and rolls — sourdough, white and wheat
Cranberry wheat
Raisin bread
Amish Friendship Breads
Dip mixes
Fried apple pies
Jams
Jellies
Did you know?
** 1 pound fresh pea pods equals about 11⁄4 cups shelled peas
** You can store unshelled peas in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
** Peas begin to lose their sweet flavor from the moment they are picked
** Freezing is the best for long-term storage of shelled or snap peas
Chicken and Peas Pasta
4 quarts salted water
1⁄2 pound fettucine noodles
2 tablespoons olive oil
1⁄4 cup sliced scallion
1⁄2 cup thinly sliced sweet red pepper
2 cups sliced snow or sugar snap pea pods
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
3 tablespoons pesto (I use basil pesto)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
Bring water to a boil and add noodles. Cook until just tender and drain.
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil. Saute scallion and red pepper for 3 minutes in large saute pan. Add the pea pods and continue to cook until the pea pods turn bright green and are tender-crisp, about one minute. Add chicken to vegetables and heat through.
In a small bowl, whisk together pesto, lemon juice and fresh basil.
When the pasta is drained, toss with the vegetables, chicken and pesto mixture. Serve immediately. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Yield: 4 servings.
Boyle County Farmers’ Market
Location: Boyle County Fairgrounds, Danville, KY
Hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday; or until vendors sell out
Vendor names: Arnold’s Greenhouse, Backporch BBQ, Bastin Farms, Briar Knob Farm, Bush Farms, G & G Farm, Heart’s Ease Farm, Hillside Heritage Farm, J & J Farm, Knobview Farm, Mariners’ Rest, Mawmaw and Papaw’s Garden, Miracle Farm, Pitter Patter Garden, Rolling Fork Farm, Sisters Farm, Squash Blossom Farm, The Family Garden, Windover Farm, 3W Sawmill
For your shopping convenience:
** We now have EBT/Debit Card capabilities located at our information booth.
** DanTran makes stops at the fairgrounds on market days.
