Can't think of a good title

I'm a little late in posting this week, but we've been running crazy! We have had record crowds at all our markets this week: that's fantastic! I hope we can keep this "I-need-fresh-local-food" train going even after the start of school. Usually market attendance starts to wane the week before school with more week day activities, but there is so much really great produce yet to come that you need to dedicate 20 minutes on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday to stock up for the week. After a summer of eating fresh, local foods, can you really go back to eating lousy supermarket food? I didn't think so!

In addition to the crazy that surrounds us, it's been an expensive week for us. Our large 12' trailer that we haul most of our produce blew out the bearings on one side, making it VERY unsafe for use. Luckily, one of our workers noticed that the tire was not at the proper angle while Bill was hauling about 300 lbs of watermelon back to the main farm!

We've discussed getting a new trailer, but what we were using worked. At least, until this season. We have brought to market more produce than we ever have before. Both trailers are packed full, as well as my truck which doubles as the tomato conveyance (we have around 320 lbs of tomatoes last week--that's a lot!). Since we've always skirted the weight limit on the big trailer, we decided to upgrade to a newer, sturdier and safer trailer. This baby is 16' (!) long and is rated for 5000 lbs--that's a lot of melons! So now we can easily (and safely) bring more cantaloupe and watermelon to market--all good for you!

The watermelon are really starting to produce and we've (ha!-like I've done much) done a great job in keeping them alive this wet spring & summer. Bill read in Farm Week that since they've been keeping meterologic records in 1895(!) that January-July 2008 has been the wettest on record. All I know is that it's August and my grass is still green!

I get asked what else you can do with watermelon, other than just eat and enjoy it. Weeeeell, I think it's pretty good just the way it is! I haven't tried grilling it (yet--although grilled peaches are fab!) and it doesn't lend itself well to canning (watermelon rind pickles do come to mind) or freezing. However, one of my very savvy CSA members freezes her extra watermelon (is there such a thing as leftover watermelon?) for : watermelon margaritas! How awesome is that! Can you picture the middle of February, cold, snow and ice, dark by 3:30---instant summer! If you aren't into margaritas, you could easily make a slushy with other fruit.

What will we be bringing on our fancy, new trailer?

• Sweet corn
• Watermelon-all seedless, red or yellow, small, medium, large and largest!
• Cantaloupe-haven't been many this week--we are hoping the next crop is ready on Friday
• Tomatoes-we'll have more 'maters this week--you all are a tomato deprived bunch!
• Eggplant-all kinds! The white eggplants are starting to produce and are very good for grilling as they seem to be a little more firm
• Green peppers
• Banana peppers
• Hot peppers--several kinds, Hot Hungarian, Cherry Bomb, anaheim, jalepeno-perfect for salasa
• Sweet onions
• Potoatoes
• Cucumbers-a definite maybe
• Pickling cucumbers
• Armenian cucumbers-this is new for us and according to the internet and Monica from AZ--these are the best slicing & eating cukes ever! Also known as "snake melons", they don't look like your standard cuke--I think Saturday should be a day to try something new!

I know I'm forgetting something, so stop by and check out the table! Tonight, put your canvas bags in the car (you know who you are!) so you'll be ready for the best market of the season!