Hi, friends and Happy Tuesday! I don’t think our weather will be quite as chilly as it was last Saturday but we will get to enjoy a smiling sun and cool, laughing breezes that will bring a song to your heart. In addition we’ll have great music and great food! Frankie’s baking up a few red velvet cakes in sizes that are perfect for a snack without regrets. Sip a cup of jasmine tea or blueberry lemonade while you peruse the lunch selection. Remember to take something home for supper or Thursday’s lunch.
Sometimes it feels like the week is just creeping along, but it’s only in anticipation of the coming Saturday. Picture this! The gazebo will be filled with sound as The Lucky Dogs flood the market with music. And that’s the only flooding that will happen unless it’s the smiles and laughter raining within our boundaries. So grab a steamy cup of java and get ready for the Paleo Tiger Tailgate! Chef Robert Vasquez, Lindsey Jo Vasquez and Monica Bravo will bring their LSU Concession Stand, Bravo for Vive, to the Market. You’ll get a chance to taste and buy Pulled Pork Lettuce Wrap, Kale Salad, Opal Basil Water and Paleo Tiger Trail Mix. With LSU T-shirt or without, it’s sure to be a tasty adventure!
Oh boy! The fall crops are beginning to show up in delicious, colorful droves. On Nick’s table you’ll find hot peppers, heirloom sweet peppers, arugula, persimmons, Evangeline sweet potatoes and radishes. Bardwell’s still has tomatoes and red potatoes available in addition to persimmons (Japanese and Fuji), Asian pears, eggplant, and rattlesnake beans. John’s table was filled with mustard greens, radishes, edamame beans, mizuna, Tatsoi, and lots of beautiful fall flowers. Mr. Houston has mustard greens, flat leaf kale, eggplant, zucchini, and yellow squash. Natalie has a table full of large purple eggplant, round zucchini, yellow squash, cucumbers and long zucchini. Greg Miller is back with a truck load of pumpkins and an unexpected treat – dried chanterelle mushrooms!
I received a tip last week about an amazing pie from Bear Creek Road. It seems Jennifer has made a black bottom chicory pie and Ann’s description was too delicious. So, I weighed the pros and cons and the pros won out (big surprise, huh?) Well, it was everything I was promised – perfect crust filled with luxuriously creamy chicory chocolate filling topped with whipped cream (homemade) and chocolate shavings. I know, I know….I’ll give you a minute.
OK, where was I? Oh yeah. While you’re over by the oak tree, you should investigate all the other goodies in the vicinity, such as Sam’s Sprouts (he has roasted peanut butter and almond butter as well). Then check out the large variety of garden plants that Alton and Sandra have to offer. I think I’m going to need another aloe plant and some lemon thyme and perhaps some rosemary. I do love cooking with herbs. Enjoy a glass (quart, half gallon) of “booch” from The Kombucha Girls with favorites like green apple or ginger. Pick up a dozen eggs from Nick or the Egg Ladies. Check out Nourish Too’s new simmer sauce – a spicy chocolate habanero sauce made with some of Nick’s chocolate habaneros. Lea told me that one of her customer tosses potatoes with Green Goddess dressing, tops with cheese, and bakes. Doesn’t that sound really yummy?
Don’t forget to visit Farmhouse Dairy for a wonderful assortment of goat cheeses, farm raised meats (beef, goat, lamb) and the cajeta which keeps calling my name. Enten Farms is right there as well with duck meat, duck and chicken eggs and their delicious homemade mustards. Robin’s Rockin’ Pepper Jellies can add zing to any dish or snack. You could probably even spice up your ice cream with a sauce of pineapple, lemon, peach, or mayhaw pepper jellies. Just add a little water to a couple spoonfuls of jelly and mix until smooth and unlumpy (is that a word?). Hmmm. Why haven’t I thought about that before?
Go a little further down the path past Bear Creek Road to Tiger Bait and treat your pet to a fabulous meal of raw pet food. Talk to Jessica about the benefits of feeding your pet a raw diet. You’ll want to have plenty of Samantha’s Elderberry Syrup on hand for those nasty winter colds which seem to appear long before winter shows up. Pick up your eggs and fertilizer from the Egg Ladies and then enjoy one of Dong’s incredible Korean pancakes. They have become as popular as Lola Deux’s Parmesan fries. Trudy won’t be here much longer with her collection of Japanese maples and other patio/garden plants so get them while you can.
Whether you’re at the Wednesday Market or Saturday’s, a stroll around the market is sure to uncover something tempting and terrific, such as Norma’s sweet and salty walnuts, Angel’s overstuffed artichokes, or Dee’s pickled asparagus. Come join us and create your own adventure!
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
