Late Fall at the Market

I love this time of year.  The air feels crisp and clean. The outdoors are invigorating, but the indoors so welcoming.  Its a great time to wander around the market and see what's available to bring home and cook up.  As the weather tilts towards frost and freezing temperatures I become ever more pleased by all the markets still have to offer.  Today was our pre-Thanksgiving run.(Although I'm sure Tuesday's or Wednesday's markets will find us searching for those last minute items as well). 

Today I found eggs from Steve and Chris of Aults Family Farm.  I love to shop from them, and today I hit them up for some info. on egg seasonality.  It's much harder to get eggs right now, so I asked if this time of year is a major time for chickens to be molting.  As it turns out now is high time for molting which causes egg production to drop dramatically.  Although they did have eggs, many others have not lately, and the Aults said that right now they may get less than half the number of eggs as they have total chickens.  Adding to the slow down caused by molting are the cold weather, and shorter days.  So greedily I got two dozen eggs so I could feel safely stocked up, and Matt went away happy with some pork chops and a pork belly.

The abundance of beautiful produce other tasty treats is quit frankly uplifting.. Tables are piled with Asian persimmons, jams, pickles, sticky rolls, pumpkins, lettuces of all kinds, radishes, kohlrabi, mustard greens, whipped honey, potatoes, garlic, and apples to name a few.  

 We stocked up with local cider, Blanchards coffee, green bell peppers, broccoli, cabbage, sweet potatoes,  arugula, collard greens, Tuscan kale, crimini and shitake mushrooms, pastured beef, pork, and of course those eggs.  I ran into friends who came in to pick up their per-ordered Turkeys, or hunt out that special Thanksgiving day treat or necessary ingredient.  Thanksgiving is of course this Thursday.  Don't overlook the special markets going on this week!  Tuesday at Byrd House Market, and Wednesday at the West End , St. Steven's, and Lakeside Markets.

Summer's Perfect Moment- What's in Season

 Here I go again.... It's one of those perfect seasonal moments where worlds collide and culinary possibilities seem endless.   All at once we not only have literal tons of tomatoes,  piles of peppers, summer sweet corn and endless eggplant,  but also pears, apples, figs, and other flavors some may associate strictly with fall.  Fall may be just around the corner, but now is the time when nearly everything seems at hand. 

. 

Serve up some pizzas: one with pears, red onion and blue cheese and one with tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella.  Greens are finally showing themselves again as well so toss together a salad.  Make a quick fresh tomato and pesto pasta, or some chilled butternut squash and pear soup. How about some scalloped potatoes and chicken with plum sauce. Perhaps some fresh peach pie for dessert!

Have fun and enjoy... this is the time!

Here is a quick run down of some of the best produce our gardens and markets have to offer right now.

 

Butternut Squash
Sweet Potatoes

Pears

 Asain Pears

Honey Crisp Apples

(and a handful of others)

 Peaches

Tomatoes

Figs

 Corn

Eggplant

 Peppers of all kinds

Onions

 Potatoes

 Summer Squash

Green Beans 

 Arugula

Garlic

Long Beans

Watermelon

 Cantalope

Plums

Basil

 Shelling Beans

Okra

See Tim Vidra of E.A.T. Cook Up Some Goodness ...Tomorrow

From The St. Stephen's Farmer's Market :

"Come for a recipe demonstration this Saturday at 10 a.m. Tim Vidra is the face behind
popular local Richmond food blog, E.A.T. (timvidra.blogspot.com), where he advocates
the use of simple local ingredients and shares easy tips for how to incorporate
them into dishes that will impress. His recipes and advice have been featured in
Richmond publications and neighborhood food news blogs. Tim's mission is to share
his passion for the preparation and enjoyment of food in a way that everyone--from
beginners to long time foodies--can get involved."

West End Market Now Also On Sundays!

The West End Market is starting their Sunday hours this weekend.  Here's what they sent....

"Sunday Market Opens this SUNDAY June 12 from 10 am - 2pm!

If you're busy on Saturdays and are unable to come to the market in the morning, we have a new option for you...  our SUNDAY market!  Beginning this Sunday, June 12, the market will be open on Sundays from 10am - 2pm.  Wednesday (3 - 6:30pm) and Saturday (8am - Noon) hours will remain the same.

 

This Sunday, we will have...

 

LOTS OF VEGGIES!

Fresh baked cookies

Grass Fed Beef

Pies - Cherry, Blueberry, Apple, Key Lime

Carrot Cake
Eggs/Poultry - Antibiotic Free!

Soap

Fruit/Berries

and MORE!"

Update on Tuckahoe Farm Market!!!

Tuckahoe Plantation will no longer be holding the Sunday Farm Market they started just about a month ago.  They are still selling at multiple farmer's markets.  Here is an excerpt from their e-mail.  Check out their website for information on ordering beef before the end of this month or in early June.

"Hey FOLKS,

We hope that everyone is enjoying this perfect spring weather. We certainly are.

We enjoyed seeing some of y'all out at market this past weekend. We are at the Byrd house Market on Tuesdays from 3-7 and the South of the James and St Stephen's markets on Saturday from 8-12.

On the topic of markets, we have decided to discontinue the set Sunday hours for our farm market at Tuckahoe. Working all day seven days a week 26 weeks a year is too much. We need a day where all we do is make sure the animals are fed, watered and happy and then take it easy. For now, the market will be open by appointment or by chance.  If you stop by Tuckahoe and happen to see someone working in the gardens, ask them about purchasing our meat and eggs.

Right now we have plenty of eggs, lambs and flowers available. If you want eggs, lamb or flowers, but can't make it to market, you are welcome to come pick them up at the farm. Give Daniel 370 9686 or Emily 506-4015 a call."

Farmers Market Season in full swing

Here we go! Most summer markets open tomorrow- support your favorite food producers, and have a fantastic morning!

See you there!

New Farm Market At Tuckahoe Plantation Starting This Sunday April 3!

This just in.... There is a new Farm Market starting up this Sunday April 3 at Tuckahoe Plantation. It will run every Sunday from Noon till 4:00pm. The backbone of this new market is the newly formed Tuckahoe Plantation Livestock, the result of Simply Abundant ( where we always get our heritage turkey for thanksgiving), and Daniel of Tuckahoe Plantation combining their livestock operations. They will be offering grass fed beef, pasture raised lamb, free range eggs, pasture raised rabbit, pasture raised chicken, wool and yarn. The Farm market will offer fresh produce and other items in addition to the Tuckahoe Plantation products as the growing season gets underway. Live music, and a tour will help mark this opening day. Check out their beautiful website for more information on their products, internship opportunities and special events.

Chesterfield Towne Center Farmer's Market Opens Today at 9am

Just a reminder... the Chesterfield Farmer's Market starts today, Friday April 1! Among others, Steve and Chris Ault will be there with "pork, stewing hens and lots of eggs." This new market is located at Chesterfield Towne Center. Use the Huegenot Rd. entrance near Macys.

Byrd House Renegade Market Tonight

The Byrd House Renegade Market is tonight and by the looks of it they should have beef, chicken, mushrooms, spring greens and more. Tonight they are also hosting a seed swap, just in time. 224 South Cherry St. Also tonight is the Tricycle Gardens Farm Stand!

Tricycle Gardens' New Farm Stand

This Thursday I checked out the re-opened farm stand for Tricycle Gardens. A white tented table was well stocked with beautiful crates full of kale, collard greens, radishes, turnips, watercress, and swiss chard. Surrounding the table were flats of healthy looking cool season crops, and raspberries to plant at home. The new location at the Tricycle Gardens headquarters on Jefferson Ave. in Church Hill is opening up opportunities for all sorts of great additions. In the near future they hope to augment their great produce with items like Lamplighter coffee, fresh baked goods, eggs, and goats milk shares. Nice!
Tuesdays and Thursdays 4pm-7pm. (Hours will extend as the days do.)

Farmer's Markets in April

There are a number of area Farmer's Markets starting up, or gaining speed in April. Fresh, local foods for all!

The Chesterfield Farmer's Market- April 1 - December 30, FRIDAYS from 9am-1pm. At the Chesterfield Towne Center.

The Souther of the James Market- 4910 Forest Hill Avenue (Next to the old Blockbuster Video). This Market is retaining their SATURDAY hours through April, (10 am to 12 pm ), but is also adding Wednesday Hours as of April 1st.
WEDNESDAYS from 9 am to 7 pm (April 2011 - October 2011) This new Wednesday market is operated by the Market Umbrella, and is in lieu of the North of the James Market that will not be taking place this year. The South of the James Market (sans the 'er') will open May 7.

The Byrd House Renegade Market
Tuesdays from 3:00-5:30pm
Through April

The West End Market will start it's SATURDAY markets on April 30, from 8am-Noon. Their Wednesday market will open May 7.

The Tricycle Gardens' Farm Stand: Every TUESDAY and THURSDAY March 22-at their headquarters, 2107 Jefferson Ave. Church Hill.

The Lakeside Farmers Market: This market opens April 2, and runs through December. They have both morning and afternoon markets on WEDNESDAYS, 8am-12pm, and 3pm-7pm, as well as SATURDAY Morning Markets from 8am-12pm.

The Williamsburg Farmers Market
Saturdays 8:00am-12:00pm
April-October

Tricycle Gardens' Farm Stand Opens Today, March 22!

This From the Tricycle Gardens newsletter..... So many great things!!

"Farm Stand is Re-Opening TODAY - March 22nd
- at our Headquarters located at 2107 Jefferson Avenue, Church Hill.
We'll be there from 4:00 – 6:00 pm every Tuesday and Thursday.
Note: Hours may be extended later in the season.
Items available include:
Veggie Seedlings to Plant: Mustard greens, Kale, Broccoli, Lettuce – grown in Tricycle Gardens’ greenhouse & Baby Raspberry Transplants potted from the Farm!
Veggies to Eat: Arugula, Broccoli Raab, collards, Cress, Kale, Mizuna, Radish, Swiss Chard, Spinach, Sprouts (sunflower & pea) in flats - you can cut them as you need them!"

Epic Gardens 2011 CSA

Epic Gardens sent us their CSA info for 2011. It sounds gorgeous!

The days are lengthening noticeably. The winter’s snow and cold has kept us indoors with catalogs and garden plans. We’re excited about 2011 because we are entering our second year of Community Supported Agriculture at Epic Gardens! We tried it last year and it worked for us and for our shareholders.

Along with regular fare (like heirloom Tomatoes, Leafy Greens, Squashes, Beans, Peas and Sweet Corn) Epic Gardens is known forsomewhat quirky (read gourmet) items like Figs, Tomatillos and Cilantro, armloads of an extra aromatic variety of Sweet Basil, Molukhia (Jute, a green leafy staple of middle eastern cuisine), gourmet sweet melons, Jimmy Nardello and Black Pearl Peppers, Edible Bouquets, Organic Sweet Potatoes, and, of course, Edamame, the green vegetable soybean.

Purchase a working share or a regular share.

Choose to include eggs or not.

Pick up at the Farmers Market @ St. Stephens!

Email EpicGardens@gmail.com to receive a brochure.

Thank you for considering Epic Gardens for your CSA this year.

Souther of the James Market

Just a short bit ago I got back from my very first visit to to The South-er of the James Market. Dang it was cold out there. Temperatures hovered at 20-21 degrees as I headed out around 10:30 this morning. Winds whipped about. Burrrr.. No one was going to be there, I was sure, but I wanted my Pizza Tonight kit dang it.
As I approached a view of over a dozen tents started to warm my heart if not my hands. A large sandwich board marked the parking just off Forest Hill Ave heading east towards West Over Hills. Two dozen or so cars were neatly parked in rows despite the lack of markings. People, actual people were coming and going from the market. As I approached I saw some of my old favorites, Aults, Thistledown, Grammy O's as well as the Snider Bros. Bus, fresh hot coffee, dog treats, Faith Farm and more. A large bonfire sat a blaze in the middle of the large gravel lot. Vendors and customers alike lingered there to warm up finger tips and chat, probably about the cold.
It was all worth it. I got my pizza kit, and met Victoria of Pizza Tonight, as well as the author of one of our favorite blogs Onion Cloute. There were plenty of fresh eggs, meats, jars of homemade soup, sauces, bread, carrots, apples, as well as some crafts. Thank you to all those who with stood the cold to share their wares. I'll be back for certain.
Open from just 10am-12pm each Saturday through April.

Indoor Market Today!!

A reminder that the Huguenot and Robious Market at the Great Big Greenhouse has started up indoors! From their own posting....

"All Virginia products; antibiotic/hormone-free meat , poultry, and eggs; fresh-baked goods; fresh winter greens; crafts from Virginia artisans. EVERY Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. THROUGH FEBRUARY 24th. "

End of the Season at St Stephen's Market

Harmony Hill farm lays it all out for you..

About a month ago I ventured over to St. Stephen's Market for one of the last of it's summer markets. I had been once earlier in the summer, but not since. My husband and I arrived cash and shopping bags at hand, but this time rather than worrying quite so much about filling my shopping bags I was going to stop and take the time to enjoy more of what the market has to offer. I stopped at the first stand we came to even though I was certain I wasn't going to buy anything. I was wrong. An array of different savory cheesecakes, jams, jellies, and desserts lay before us. Before I knew it I was being invited to sample one, then four different cheese cakes as well as the Damson Plum Butter I was eyeing, and that beautiful looking key lime pie. I tried them all. I really should have gotten some of that Damson Plum Butter. It was so good. I said we'd be back for a cold Key Lime Pie wedge (enough for 2 people for $5) as we were heading out. On to the next stop....

I sampled four different kinds of Cyndi's hot pepper and fruit jellies like Mango Habenero, and Roasted Plablano. All were good, but I fell for the Peach Habenero combo. Next, at Night Sky Farm's stall we bought a $3 block of Sweet creme table butter. Everyone at the market, other vendors included swore this was the best butter they had ever tasted. I sampled Night Sky's marinated feta. Jars filled with feta cheese, herbs and olive oil sat on the table, and multiple customers came here just to get this treat. After some nice leisurely conversation with the owner I walked away with the block of butter, and a package of creme cheese to top of that pepper jelly.

Our next stop was the adjacent Haashooms. That's the name of Steve Haas' mushroom business. Steve's a laid back seeming guy, and like everyone here he seemed happy to stop and talk with his customer's. We selected a lion's mane mushroom and some oyster mushrooms. We had a nice time, and learned a few things about growing mushrooms.

This handsome fella was painted by an artist who sells her paintings, including portraits of customers dogs at St. Stephens. We spent a long time talking with her and her husband, and are definitely going to get a portrait of our own pup. We had fresh eggs, bread, produce, cheese, butter, pepper jelly, and mushrooms. By the end of this beautiful morning it was time for lunch. We wondered over to Jazzbo's Rollin' Gumbo truck. I got the chicken gumbo and my husband got the Jambalaya. We stopped there to chat with the owner who is an old acquaintance, and then headed out grabbing the last slice of key lime pie from that first vendor.

On the way out we passed Erin who manages this market and I told her in all honesty that this was possibly the most fun we had ever had at a farmers market. Laid back, friendly vendors mix perfectly with a pleasant atmosphere and plenty of great finds. Happy and ready to head home we approached our vehicle only to discover I had locked the keys in car. Curses! Okay well, a phone call for help was made. Luckily, the car was parked under the shade of a tree. Great music was being preformed by Haze of Haze and the Transients. We had an impromptu picnic of Gumbo, Jambalaya, and jalapeno cheddar bread. We even had key lime pie for dessert. Just as we finished our lunch help arrived. What magical place is this?! I look forward to visiting this market more often next summer.

Tricycle Gardens Urban Farm Stand Still Selling

This just in from Tricycle, I should have included them in my post season market post!.....

"Fall is here, and we are still getting loads of amazing greens (kale, collards, raab, chard, lettuces, lemongrass, oregano, and more!) from the 9th & B Urban Farm. The Farm Stand is still OPEN, but will be moving it to our new Headquarters (2107 Jefferson Ave in Church Hill) starting Tuesday December 30! (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4-6:30pm). "

A friend of mine went there last week and said they were really impressed by the quality of the produce there.

Richmond Area Holiday, and Winter Farmers Markets Abound!

Just a reminder that there are several area markets who will be continuing their regular hours, holding renegade markets, or having special holiday markets over the next several weeks and the upcoming winter months.

Huguenot and Robious Market: This market outside The Great Big Greenhouse originally was set to run only through September. Now they have extended the market through November 18. Market hours are from 10:00am to 3:00pm.

South of the James will continue to hold its Saturday market from 8:00-12:00 through December 4.

When South of the James is over the Market Umbrella is hosting what they call "South-Er Of The James" at 4910 Forest Hill Avenue SATURDAYS from 10 am to 12 pm
December 2010 - April 2011 . Google street view shows this address as the vacant lot next to the Blockbuster Video near West Over Hills Blvd.

Lakeside Market will continue both of it's Wednesday Markets and it's Saturday market through November! They also will be hosting a special Holiday Market on the evening of Friday November 12 from 4PM til 9PM to celebrate the "Holly Jolly Christmas" on Lakeside Ave. More information at http://www.lakesideavenue.net/.

Goochland Farmer's Market will hold two holiday markets.
Saturday Novemeber 13 from 10:00-2:00.
Saturday December 11, 10:00-2:00.
Both of these markets will be indoors at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community Collage's Western Campus, 1851 Dickens Rd. Goochland. The Goochland Markets Local Roots winter food CoOP is starting now. Get more information or sign up Here.

The West End Market will host two holiday Markets. The first for Thanksgiving: Wednesday, November 24th, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. A second for Christmas: Saturday, December 4th, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

The Ashland Farmer's Market will also host two Holiday Markets.
Saturday November 20th
Saturday, December 4.
The normal Saturday market hours are 9:00 -12:00. It looks like the Holiday Markets will have the same hours.

St. Steven's Market is hosting an On line Market There may still be room available for signing up. For $50 you can order from 20 different vendors online and pick your order each week on Thursdays from 3:00-6:30 pm. For more info. click Here.

Farm to Family: Jump on the bus, stop by their Mechanicsville shop or join their fall CSA. "Members buy a share of the 2010 Farm to Family CSA including local grass fed pastured meats, dairy and locally made bread and receive a weekly delivery of goods starting 09/16/10 extending 12 weeks. Anyone joining after the start date will be pro-rated,- Shares break down to about $45.00 per week (including Turkey) The cost of the membership is $550, save $25 if you pay in full." Click here to find out more, including how to get facebook or twitter updates on the bus location.

Lulu's Local Foods: Started by the woman who once owned Edible Garden, Lulu's Local Foods is an online program that allows for the creation of multiple CSAs in our area and beyond. One hope is to coordinate area drop off sites to reduce fuel and time for each individual producer. I participated last year via the St. Steven's pick up location and the available food choices each week was almost overwhelming! Click here to learn more and choose of the 2010 pickup sites near you.

Byrd House Renegade Market: Byrd Houses yearly "Renegade Market" started up this past Tuesday. I used to go every week and loved it. Bread, meats, veggies and more for loyalist shoppers from dedicated vendors. 2-6pm (or dark, whichever comes first)
Weekly through April 2011. Click here to see the vendor list and keep up with updates.

Lion's Mane Mushrooms

Pulled Lion's Mane Mushroom

I mentioned in my last post that this week I was going to try the Lion's Mane Mushroom. Well, try I did. I got my lion's mane mushroom from Steve Haas, of HaaShrooms at Saint Stephen's Market. He sells a a variety of mushrooms depending on the season. This past Saturday, I bought one lion's mane mushroom for $5. That's one mushroom for $5. I also bought a small handful of oyster mushrooms for the same price. I was willing to pay the money just to try this mushroom at least once. Also, I had tried the Chicken Of The Woods mushroom he sold in late summer and loved those ( Steve says those are his personal favorite).

Steve told me the bright white mushroom in my little ziplock bag would pull like crab meat, and even taste a bit like crab once sauteed with butter and garlic. Well, why not? Sampled uncooked and plain this mushroom has little flavor, but it takes on the flavor of whatever it's cook with. It did indeed pull apart nicely, but as for flavor I am afraid we messed things up by adding some onion and the oyster mushrooms into the mix to go over our pasta. I fished a couple pieces out to try on their own and with they had a consistency similar to crab, and tasted like the butter, garlic sauce they were cooked in. If I tried them again I'd skip the pasta and maybe put my garlicky butter dripping mushrooms over top a little micro greens or something similar. I'm glad I tried this mushroom that I'd never even heard of before. I ate well, and learned something, or actually a few things which mean those five dollars probably went further than many. You can check out the great HaaShoom's facebook page here to learn more , and see photos of the "wild crafted" lion's mane mushrooms he harvested just this Friday.

This Just In From Victory Farms-Great Variety!

I decided to post this portion of the e-mail from Victory Farms because I think it's a good representation of the markets right now....
"The garden is bursting with goodies right now - thanks to cooler weather and a little rain! We'll have LOTS of great greens, roots and fruits this Saturday from 8am-noon at the South of the James Market so come on by! We still have summer items like eggplant, peppers and cucumbers as well as some gorgeous ripening and green tomatoes plus cooking and salad greens and so much more!
We need to work through this week's Henley's Orchard inventory so we won't have the new varieties mentioned earlier until next week, but the ones we have are crunchy and sweet and great for apple pies and snacks too!"

It looks like lots of great stuff and tomorrow is supposed to be a beautiful day.
I will not be at South of the James this weeks, but will instead be checking out other area markets I don't normally get to. However, last week I got a huge bag of mustard greens, kale, sun gold tomatoes, a chocolate croissant, eggs, kohlrabi, 2 large bags of perfect looking green beans, 2 large heads of broccoli, sweet potatoes, acorn squash, eggplant, arugula, a very large and beautiful bag of salad greens mixed will violets, asain pears, apples, "country pears," red sweet peppers and probably more that I've forgotten. Next I'll have to post the menu plan for the week that all this great stuff inspired. Happy shopping...