Boyle County Farmers Market offers autumn produce

October 18, 2010|By DONNA BUSH | Contributing Writer

Use fall apples to make apple pancakes.

Our first frost of the season last week nipped the summer vegetables. Green beans, summer squash and a few other things received the worst of it.

The trees are beginning to show their autumn blush, too. We probably won’t have a colorful fall this year, though. With the hot, dry weather, the leaves are already curling up and dropping.

It was a fantastic weekend weatherwise. Beautiful, cloudless blue skies and warm temperatures made it a pleasure to be outside. The Farmers Market was bustling with customers purchasing mums, pumpkins and gourds. Fried apple pies, caramel apple bars, breads and cakes went quickly.

We are harvesting pumpkins every other day at the farm. Both trucks are loaded with all kinds of winter squash, gourds and pumpkins.

We get many questions about winter squash varieties that people aren’t familiar with. Besides bringing recipes, we try to have information available about cooking, storing and using them. Our family likes trying new foods so we can share what we know about each one. Some varieties are new to us this year. I have been experimenting with squashes in soups, breads, cakes and just baked with brown sugar, butter and cinnamon. There are differences in flavor, texture and moisture content but all are good as well as good for you.

Barrie is still irrigating wherever needed. Broccoli, cabbage, Swiss chard, kale and beets are growing well due to the extra water and nutrients they are receiving. Hopefully, we will have enough time for them to mature before we have a hard freeze.

The fruit trees are almost finished for the season. We still have a couple of apple varieties to pick. Most ripened earlier than scheduled this year and the yield was smaller. Nonetheless, we enjoy being able to pick fresh fruit from our backyard. Any excess is made into fruit butters, jams, jellies and preserves. I also like to freeze some or dry them in the dehydrator to enjoy over the winter.

Reminder: The last regular Boyle County Farmers Market day is Oct. 30. Weather permitting, we will be open regular hours on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays until then. Come on out for all of your fall decorating needs.

There will be a special Thanksgiving Sale Nov. 20 and our Second Annual Christmas Sale Dec. 11. The Christmas Sale will be held at the Boyle County Extension Office Building. Mark your calendars and watch this column for more details in upcoming weeks.

This week at the Boyle County Farmers Market

Locally grown: apples; chard; eggplant; gourds; green beans — several varieties; green tomatoes; greens — kale, mustard and turnip; lettuces; mums; peppers — banana, bell, jalapenos; pie pumpkins; potatoes; pumpkins; squash — yellow, summer and zucchini; sweet potatoes; tomatoes — heirloom, cherries and regular slicers; and winter squash — butternut, acorn, peanut, Hubbard, red warty thing and sun spots.

Also available: fresh eggs; local honey; apple butter; jams and jellies; and comb honey.

Local meats

Pork: 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.

Lamb: roasts; chops; ribs; fries; ground; whole or halves.

Beef: roasts; steaks; ribs; cubed; ground; and fries.

Homemade (some baked goods available Saturdays only): breads and rolls — sourdough, white, wheat and rye; cranberry wheat; cinnamon-raisin rolls; raisin bread; fried apple pies; jams and jellies.

Note: Some of our vendors have products available year round. Some take orders and will be happy to make things for special events. If you are interested, be sure to get more information from your favorite vendors.

The Boyle County Farmers Market is open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at the Boyle County Fairgrounds. Hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, or until vendors sell out.

Season: May 1-Oct. 30. Special events: Fall Fest, Oct. 2; Thanksgiving Sale, Nov. 20; Christmas Sale, Dec. 11.

Vendor names: Arnold’s Greenhouse, Backporch BBQ, Bastin Farms, Briar Knob Farm, Bush Farms, Elizabeth’s Garden, G & G Farm, Heart’s Ease Farm, Hillside Heritage Farm, J & J Farm, Kentucky River Limousin Beef, 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.

Note: Some Boyle County Farmers’ Market vendors have Facebook pages. Check out these pages for up-to-date offerings, photos and information from your favorite vendors. Bush Farms, Hillside Heritage Farm, Knobview Farm, Rolling Fork Farm and The Family Garden. Be sure to press the LIKE button so updates will automatically post to your page.

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.

** The Boyle County Farmer’s Market has added picnic tables for your convenience. These tables are perfect for enjoying a snack, lunch or just waiting for a spouse to finish shopping.

We also want to remind everyone that parking on the grass in front of and behind the vendors’ booths as well as at each end of the market is encouraged.

Now that the weather is trending cooler, we tend to want heartier foods. This pancake recipe is delicious and filling. Kids will love it, too.

Apple Pancakes

11⁄2 cups flour

11⁄4 teaspoon baking powder

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/3 cup sugar

1 egg

1 cup milk

1⁄4 cup melted butter

1 cup apple, finely chopped

Combine egg, milk and apple; stir into dry ingredients. Stir in melted butter. Cook on a hot griddle. Makes 12 pancakes. Serve with butter and your favorite syrup. Also good with a dollop of apple jelly.

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