The Covington Farmer’s Market takes place every Wednesday at the Covington Trailhead from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and every Saturday at the 600 Block of Columbia Street (at the Covington Police Department) from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Charlene LeJeune of Abundant Life Kitchen provides a weekly newsletter detailing the markets which goes out every Tuesday.
Top of a toasty Tuesday to you, friends! Boy, the weeks are absolutely flying by; school will be back in session before you know it. Not that that has anything to do with the Covington Farmers’ Market, ‘cause we are here rain or shine, July or December, and we have lots of good meals and treats for you. For instance, Cati’s Empanada’s……did you try one last week? It’s amazing how yummy she can make chickpeas and sweet potatoes taste. Papa Lou will be there with boiled crabs and shrimp and the most wonderful ceviche with shrimp ——-OH MY!! We also have a very welcome newcomer toWednesday, Happy Flour Bakery. Patrick and Madeleine will be there with sourdough bread, their lovely cinnamon coffee cake and probably a few surprise goodies. And, naturally, there will be eggs, honey, fresh veggies, blueberry jam; the only thing missing is Kandy’s amazing salads and egg rolls but they should be back next week.
Bright and early Saturday (cause that’s when the veggie selection is best) grab your iced coffee from the coffee pavilion and say “hello” to Ed ‘cause it really just makes his day. Pretty soon the delightful tunes of Zac Maras will be drifting out from the gazebo. Enjoy the music as you stroll around the market grounds while you’re waiting for chefs Lolo and Christine from The Shack Restaurant in Covington, to set up for a tasting from their fabulous menu.
So, there I was last Saturday, quietly strolling through the grounds, making groceries and Reed stops me with a jar of Rockin Robin’s Brandied Fig Pepper Jelly. Oooh Yeah! It is that time of year, after all. Well, I suppose you can guess my first thought—you got it! Vanilla ice cream! Yeah, from Nice Cream. And I don’t have to worry about my serious diet since I am quite sure that I read somewhere that the capsaicin in the hot pepper can actually burn off any calories in the ice cream. (And I’m taking it as gospel!) Of course, a nice glass of cold La Serendipity wine with creamy Brown Hat Dairy chèvre spread on a cracker and a dollop of brandied fig would also be amazing. Uh huh, I see that smile…
Then, I stopped by Succotash Ferments where Nancy and Britt have a very tasty Peach Ginger soda in addition to raw sauerkraut. Those happy little probiotics in cultured vegetables offer a number of health benefits including fighting off unfriendly microbes found in our food, water, and environment, and supplying digestive enzymes, thereby allowing the body’s enzymes to be reserved for eliminating toxins, rejuvenating cells, and strengthening the immune system —and it’s all packed inside this nifty little mason jar.
Butter Me Up has added a new butter to the group, Garlic, Parmesan & Black Pepper. Doesn’t that sound like something that would have your slice of bread smilin’? Celeste also mentioned she may have a marinara sauce next week. That will go very nicely atop any of her delicious handmade pastas. Serve with a warm slice or two of Bear Creek’s focaccia bread. Heaven, I’m in heaven…
Nick has Striped Rose eggplant and those cute little peppers again, Violet Sparkle; what a wonderful name for a fantastic pepper that is perfect for stuffing. Then, a trip over to Natalie’s found me with a crispy bag of mixed lettuces, so nice to have farm fresh, locally grown lettuce in the middle of summer. Eddie has spaghetti squash available, so delicious baked up with a splash of Celeste’s tomato lemon butter – WOW! Produce tables are groaning with tomatoes and potatoes, yellow squash and white squash and butternut squash, okra (J.R.), chanterelle mushrooms (Mr. Houston) and chestnut mushrooms (James). I’ll bet that garlic, parmesan, black pepper butter would really make the meaty flavor of the mushrooms POP!
Whether you’re here for the veggies or the jellies or the mushrooms or the wine or the lovely creams & lotions at Serenity Lane, you won’t find a better place to be than the Covington Farmers’ Market on a sunny Saturday morn. See ya there!
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
