Here is a preview of this weeks’ Farmer’s Markets from Charlene LeJeune of Abundant Life Kitchen:
Wednesday’s almost here, friends! Are you ready for a great lunch? Well, Frankie is preparing Mozzarella stuffed meatballs with spaghetti, tossed salad, and garlic bread. Sounds yummy, right? A cup of Kandy’s refreshing jasmine tea goes quite well with a serving of her crunchy traditional egg rolls. Bring a friend!
Saturday morning. The hypnotic aroma of Pappa D’s kettle corn draws you to the market. And then you hear the the lively music of Errol Quave flowing from the gazebo. Coffee in hand, you stroll around the market checking out today’s offering. Sounds like the beginnings of a wonderful day to me!
Don’t forget that Pappa D will make special party bags for your next get-together, complete with whatever message you want, prominently displayed on the front.
Love Jubilee Farms’ beef stew? Well now you can enjoy pork stew as well. Hmmm. That could be really nice, stir-fried with some of the fresh veggies you’ll find around the market. Or toss your stew with a few tablespoons of Robin’s Margarita Pepper Jelly (with Tequila, Triple Sec, & Lime) for exceptional flavor! And you can serve it over Butter Me Up’s pasta. Celeste makes her pasta vegan-style so you can just stir fry your veggies without the pork for a fabulous vegan meal. Celeste has 4 pasta “flavors” — harissa, green (a lovely blend of anise, spinach, parsley, celery leaf), lemon thyme, and lemon zest &black pepper.
Natalie has bell peppers, cucumbers and, through the miracle of hydroponics, lettuces. She also has the large aubergine eggplant that we all know and love and you’ll find green eggplant on J.R.’s table. So here’s my Aunt Joyce’s Eggplant Casserole recipe for you to try. Slice unpeeled eggplant into 1/4” slices. Place in a well-greased baking dish. Melt 1/2 cup Mauthe’s butter and combine with minced garlic. Drizzle over the eggplant. Top with thinly sliced onion, tomato, and sweet pepper. Add sliced cheddar cheese. Continue layering as you would for lasagna, ending with cheese. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Change it up a bit by using Brown Hat goat cheese instead of cheddar. You can also use one of Spicy Lady’s superb seasoning blends.
While you’re perusing Spicy Lady’s seasoning blends, pay special attention to her Beef & Burger seasoning (and then make a visit to Jubilee Farms), the Shrimp Grill & Broil (followed by a stroll over to Mr. Two) or her Bankok or Thai blend with James’ chicken (try adding a little tomato sauce and coconut milk for a really yummy taste). I’ve found that plain ole scrambled eggs turn into gourmet breakfast just by adding one of her seasonings.
I haven’t even mentioned a fourth of the delights you’ll find at the Market like Nice Cream’s dreamy Creole Cream Cheese ice cream, or real cheesecake from Mauthe’s… Amanda’s fruity popsicles…Susie’s cranberry orange muffins… Norma’s spiced walnuts… And for your cleaning needs, Blue L Essentials has laundry detergent. Lucy also has aluminum free deodorant. The Rose or Gardenia are both fabulous but she has manly fragrances, too. Luminae from Serenity Lane is an amazing face oil blend which includes healing oils like pomegranate, sea buckthorn and kalahari melon (and it feels just as lovely on your skin). You’ll just have to come out and see for yourself. I can’t wait to find out what’s new this week!
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
