Hi, friends and happy Wednesday! Are you all ready for the Farmers’ Market today? Jeff has added smoked turkey legs to his menu this week. There will be a limited amount so get there early! Roma should be back from vacation so there will be more spicy goodness to enjoy.
It’s Three Rivers Art Festival time this Saturday and that only means one thing – the holidays are just around the corner (where does the time go?). At the Market, we’ll be enjoying music from Vintage Jazz (my toes are tapping in anticipation already.) Poppy Tooker, radio host and author, will be here to sign her new book, Louisiana Eats! There will be a lot going on, so grab your coffee and hold onto your hats! Nuccio’s will prepare and serve their world-famous muffalettas at the cooking tent! Oh, man! Grab a taste and treat yourself to a whole one to enjoy during the game tomorrow.
Is there anything more comforting than a farmers’ market around the holidays? Well, maybe not up north where the markets shut down for 6 months out of the year but here in Covington each new week brings the anticipation of flavorful new veggies. Yes, I do dream about them because I love to cook with fresh produce. Carrots, cabbages, broccoli, string beans, cucumbers, sweet potatoes… our produce vendors’ tables look like they’ve jumped out of the pages of a magazine.
Mr. Houston, please get well soon. The market is just NOT the same without you. Fortunately for us, Terese (his precious daughter-in-law) has been keeping us updated on his progress and well supplied with cabbages, broccoli, kale, mustard, collards, and peppers. Nick still has those lovely sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, mini eggplants and string beans. Slice of Heaven is known for their Asian greens – tat soi, bok choy – but they also boast collards, hot peppers, greens of all kinds (even Brussels sprout leaves!) Speaking of sprouts, Sam has sunflower shoots as well as broccoli and red clover sprouts. You’ll have to check him out each week just to see what’s new. Bardwell’s may still have a few tomatoes and persimmons as we move into next week but they will have eggplant, sweet potatoes, yellow squash and zucchini. John’s lettuce mixes, arugula, kale, radishes are begging for a place at your table and Nancy’s sunflowers and mixed flower bouquets really brighten up a table. Jessica at Two Kids Farm is gearing up her gardens for winter and in addition to the cabbages and cucuzzas, you’ll find lemons and satsumas. Get there early – veggies don’t last long on the tables.
Well, friends, we’re within shouting distance of Thanksgiving and you’ll be surprised at what the Covington Farmers’ Market vendors have available. I’ll have a few thoughts about holiday cooking and shopping at the market in the coming weeks. But, in the meantime, don’t wait for my ideas; come and see it all for yourselves.
Lots of love,
Charlene LeJeune
Abundant Life KitchenThe 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
