This is the time of the year that we see about a 50% drop in market attendance. The markets don't stop when school starts--in fact, this is when some of the best items are being brought to the markets. With the change in time for the Saturday market this year (7:30 am to noon) should give people a chance to stop by and stock up for the week. Don't think you have to be at the market at the crack of dawn--there is still plenty of high quality produce and large selections at the market--why do you think we got that massive trailer? All the better to bring more stuff for you folks!
For those of you that know us, we have 4 children. If you come to the Uptown Normal market, likely
you've seen all three of them (and one or two extras!) helping out, bagging sweet corn and waiting on customers. The fourth one is rarely seen--Kyle is currently serving our country with the Marine Corps. He is stationed in Cherry Point NC (beautiful area--you should visit!) and has been shuttling back and forth between there and Iraq. Unfortunately, the USMC doesn't think picking sweet corn is a priority or I'd have him here every summer! He and his family will be back in town for their annual visit starting this week. Kyle is larger than life and will get you wrapped up in whatever scheme he is focused on at the time. He is a whirlwind of energy, always up for a good time and when he was home, good help on the farm. The picture to the left is a day when he didn't really want to be there: it was cold and wet. I unfortunately didn't have my camera when they came back from picking sweet corn, with Kyle riding on top of the truck roof, singing a little ditty about picking corn, trying to keep everyone's spirits up. I'm trying to get him to stop by one of the Saturday markets--maybe you'll be lucky enough to meet him and his beautiful wife & daughter.
So, with KKA in town and my dad(of pineapple growing fame) & step-mom coming in early September, it's a 3 ring circus ALL. THE. TIME. Did I mention that Kyle has lab mix that stays with us when they are in town? 4 dogs. 1 house. Circus=Mitchell House!
In between all this familial bliss are the crops that need to be harvested! This is the time to start putting away for the non-growing months, with freezing, canning or drying. Bill & I are experimenting with dehydrating peppers for chili powder & paprika, our sweet onions for onion powder and garlic for garlic powder. I bought a dehydrator last year and dried tomatoes for use in soups and stews. I didn't make enough! It is quite amazing at how much water is in food--and how much of it goes away when the product is dried. It's no wonder that dried fruits are expensive!
Following some advice I found on the internet (forget exactly where), I washed and dried whole jalepeno, habanero and Hungarian peppers and put them in the dehydrator. It has taken most of a week, but they are all almost completely dried and ready to be pulverized in a coffee grinder. I also thinly sliced onions and garlic and dried them as well. Since they are thinner, they dry faster. I'll grind them up as well.
I was curious as to how the garlic and onions would taste. The garlic flavor is more concentrated, but not unpleasant when eaten as a "chip", but requires a good tooth brushing! These will make excellent garlic powder! The sweet onions were a surprise! I expected all "hot" onion flavor and no sweet, but the sweet, mild onion taste really came through! Bill thought it tasted like onion candy and would be great sprinkled over salads or squashes. I sliced some more onions last night to dry and put into a trail mix. I'm also going to experiment with drying some potatoes for my own instant mashed!
This weekend in Downtown Bloomington is the Hot August Nights, so plan ahead for parking. There is always FREE, CONVENIENT parking in the Monroe St (I think) parking garage, just south of Fox & Hounds. It's free, its shady for those hot day and there is lots of room! Some streets may be cordoned off, so parking will be a little different than in past weeks.
But don't let that stop you! How can you go another week without:
- Watermelon--red & seedless--very juicy and sweet! They come in a range of sizes from small to very large!
- Cantaloupe--season is short, enjoy them now when they are at their best
- Sweet Corn--if you are "corned" out, think about putting some in the freezer for a blast of summer in the middle of winter--Easy as falling off a log: boil water, blanch for 1 minute, put in ice water, cut off cob and freeze! You can do this with just one ear or with 100!
- Tomatoes-perfect for salsa, fresh or canned
- Eggplant--we have been bringing record numbers of eggplant--try a white one or a skinny Asian one!
- Green peppers
- Hot peppers
- Sweet onions
- Potatoes
- cucumbers--finally, our late crop is starting to produce
- Summer squash--ditto!
- Green Beans--fall crop--these are beautiful, long and crisp. Pair up with some small, fresh potatoes.
No comments:
Post a Comment