From the Farm: Spring honey often is different from later honey

June 09, 2010|By DONNA BUSH | Contributing Writer

Barrie pulled supers from one of the beehives last week. The resulting honey is extremely light in color, largely due to the abundance of white clover all over the farm.

Spring honey is usually lighter in color and flavor. As the season progresses and different plants bloom, the later honey will reflect which flowers the bees have visited. The color will be darker and the flavor a little stronger.

In speaking with other beekeepers, there still are problems with bees. We had one hive swarm earlier this spring but so far the remaining hives are doing well. Barrie made some splits and re-queened the hives. Some hives are stronger than others. The stronger ones have really been busy filling their supers.

Local blueberries are beginning to come in. They are delicious sprinkled on cereal, yogurt, fruit salad or ice cream. Bake them in muffins, cakes, breads, pies and more. Blueberry pancakes and crepes are a favorites of mine as well as Blueberry Jam. Of course, blueberries are just as good all by themselves. (See recipe located under market list.)

This week at the market

Locally grown:

Asparagus

Beets

Blueberries

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Cherries

Cucumbers

Dill

Green beans

Green onions

Onions

Peas

Potatoes

Radishes

Rhubarb

Salad Turnips

Strawberries

Squash — yellow and zucchini

Tomatoes — heirloom and regular slicers

Fresh Eggs

Local Honey

Fresh from Georgia

Melons

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

Peppers

Squash

Onion sets

Homemade:

Note: Some baked goods available Saturdays only

Breads and rolls — sourdough

White and wheat

Cranberry wheat

Cinnamon-raisin rolls

Raisin bread

Amish Friendship Breads

Dip mixes

Fried apple pies

Jams

Jellies

Did you know?

The silvery coating on blueberries is called “bloom.” If there is no visible bloom, the berries have been washed or are not fresh. Washed berries do not keep as long as unwashed berries.

Unwashed blueberries may be stored in the refrigerator for a week to 10 days.

Cultivated blueberries are two to three times larger than wild blueberries and differ in flavor.

Recipe

Blueberry Pie

1 9-inch baked pie shell

1 3-ounce package cream cheese, softened

1 tablespoon honey

4 cups fresh blueberries, divided

1⁄2 cup water

3⁄4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons corn starch

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Mix cream cheese and honey until smooth. Spread in bottom of cooked pie shell. Sprinkle 3 cups blueberries over cream cheese and set aside.

Combine remaining 1 cup blueberries and water. Bring to just boiling. Reduce heat and simmer 2 minutes. Strain, reserving juice. Combine sugar and cornstarch. Gradually add reserved blueberry juice. Cook, stirring constantly until thick and clear.

Cool slightly; add lemon juice. Pour over berries in pie shell. Chill. Serve with whipped cream.

Boyle County Farmers’ Market is located at the Boyle County Fairgrounds. Hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, or until vendors sell out.

Vendor names include: 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, Mamaw and Papaw’s Garden, Miracle Farm, Pitter Patter Garden, Rolling Fork Farm, Sisters Farm, Squash Blossom Farm, The Family Garden, Windhover 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.

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