Hello friends! Another week has gone by already; fortunately I don’t really feel any older. Now, it may be a little cloudy today but no rain, that’s the plan and I’m sticking to it. Come on out and join us for a great time. No need to pack anything; just bring yourself, a healthy appetite and a smiling face. Jeff has added a smoky chicken salad to his menu that sounds heavenly and, for those of you with curry withdrawal, Roma will be back from vacation with her wonderful West Indian dishes.
A cup of coffee and one of Suzie Bancks’ faaaabulous Morning Glory muffins will pair very nicely with the lively music of Rose Anne Bivens on Saturday morning aannd – wait for it…wait for it… Linda Franzo, owner of The Passionate Platter, in the cooking tent. Yippee! She’ll be fixing tomatoes and herbs and tell you all the great things you can do with your herbs. Plus, she’ll have olive trees available.
It’s that time of year when women (and men) are trying on new swimsuits and moaning about how they are going to fit into them (the loud, uncontrollable sobbing was just me). This calls for something refreshing and light, such as cool summer soups (even in the Spring) from Southy’s Soups. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the selection. We like to keep you healthy and there are lots of gorgeous veggies for your salads too! If you’re enjoying the wonderful fresh veggies at the market, you really enjoy a new vendor. Sally will have green juices – veggie and fruit blends – can’t wait to check them out. I’m sure she knows a lot about the benefits of juicing. Don’t miss out on any of our great foods…you’ll thank me later. Hey – that’s what friends are for!
I just love the changing of the seasons (yes, we have them here). We’ve already started to see lovely new veggies such as spinach and green onions gracing the tables. John’s tat soi went wonderfully in my gumbo Ya-Ya. He says arugula is on the horizon. I can’t wait to see what will be available this week. Now I dearly love my cabbage, carrots, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, etc. but after a few months, I am looking for something new…short attention span I guess. I have a feeling I’ll have to wait a few more weeks, but I’m really in the mood for boiled new potatoes swimming in creamy butter with a sprinkling of fresh parsley or eggplant lasagna (zucchini’s good too) – I’ve got the sauce, all I need are the veggies.
So, I’m in my tent (or rather under it) last Saturday, looking over toward Alton and Sandra’s and contemplating which plants I will need to replace the ones I lost in the horrible frost of early April and I notice a new vendor. Melissa (Herbs & Spice & Everything Nice) has some wonderful herb blends that you’ll definitely want to check out – Blackening Spice, BBQ Rub, Ranch Seasoning and a Cream of Anything Soup mix (doesn’t that sound fabulous?). The best part (other than the fact that they tasted great) is that you won’t find any of the chemicals commonly found in those supermarket brands! Check it out and then mosey right on over to Alton and Sandra. They have okra, butternut squash, rattlesnake pole beans, white squash and watermelon plants as well as tomato, pepper, and eggplant varieties.
There’s a whole lot of delicious going on at the Market. We hope you’ll join us.
Lots of love,
Charlene LeJeune
Abundant Life Kitchen
The Covington Farmers’ Market is open each Wednesday, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire and every Saturday from 8a.m. to 12p.m. on the side lawn of the Covington Police Station, 609 N. Columbia St. Call (985) 892-1873 for information or visit www.covingtonfarmersmarket.org
