From the Farm: Boyle County Farmers Market Thanksgiving sale is Saturday

So far, November has given us everything from freezing temps and snowflakes to shirt-sleeve weather. Saturday was a great day to be outside doing some much-needed clean-up. My flower and herb beds were a terrible mess.
Once the garden began producing, regular chores like weeding flower beds was bumped down the priority list. It sure didn’t take long for the weeds to bully their way in. Having such a nice Saturday was a great bonus. After a very hectic summer, things are slowly getting put back in order.
The freezing temperatures of last week took out the less hardy herbs and vegetables. I am always particularly sad to see the basil and tomatoes go. We are still enjoying tomatoes at the moment. They continue to ripen in cardboard boxes. Although they aren’t quite the quality of the summer tomatoes, they are better than the hothouse tomatoes often found in grocery stores this time of year.
Broccoli, cabbage, kale, radishes, beets, and Swiss chard are doing very well. So far, the frosty temperatures have not affected these at all.
We had a good harvest of winter squash this year. Argonaut squash matured at the end of the season. Argonaut squash are like a super-sized butternut squash and are delicious in soups, breads, cakes, pies, main dishes and more. Use these squash as a substitute for pumpkin in recipes. We also enjoy them baked and served with a little butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.
The Boyle County Farmers Market special Thanksgiving sale will be 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, or until sold out, at the Boyle County Fairgrounds.
Some of the goodies that will be available are:
Fresh: apples, butternut squash, broccoli, cabbage, kale, radishes, sweet potatoes, swiss chard, turnips and winter squash.
Baked goods: breads, rolls, pies, muffins and cakes.
Canned goods: apple butter, jams, jellies, pickled beets and relish.
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 Christmas Sale will be Dec. 11 at the Boyle County Extension Office building.
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.
Here’s a recipe you may want to try for Thanksgiving:

Winter Squash-
Raisin Muffins

3 cups sugar
1 cup canola oil
4 eggs
2 cups winter squash puree (butternut or Argonaut works well for these)
31⁄2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon salt
31⁄2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2⁄3 cups water
1 cup raisins
Mix oil and sugar together. Add eggs and squash puree. Sift all dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients alternately with water to squash mixture mixing well. Stir in raisins. Pour into greased muffin cups. Bake at 350 degrees for 22-25 minutes or until done. Makes 36 muffins
Note: Another variation — reduce raisins to 1⁄2 cup and add 1⁄2 cup walnuts.