The first weekend of the 2023 Lansdowne Farmers Market is now in the history books.
And I’d have to say it was a success! Seems everybody in town was more than ready to leave winter…and Covid…behind. By 9 a.m. the tents were up, the wares were loaded, and before we could bang on the official LFM cowbell, the shopping commenced.
By 9:05 there was already a line at both Fruitwood and Tucquan Acres Farms produce tents. You almost needed sunglasses to gaze head-on at those gleaming red strawberries. So with my eyes closed, I took my first bite of the season on those sweet and sugary beauties. Soooo worth the wait. Bring on the fresh, and local, corn, peaches, and melons!
If you came to market looking for an old favorite, chances are you found them pretty much right where you left them last October…John Wilson’s Curiously Good Foods (get there early for his chocolate treats!), Big Sky Bread, Tom Connor’s My House Cookies…and scones, and pies and quiches. Taste of Pueblo’s fresh-from-the-garden salsas, pico de gallo and tortilla chips; and quirky Creative Shepherd, where, besides meat and potatoes (literally), you never know what else you didn’t know you needed…Always worth a stop.
Did you get a chance to check out Mitchell and Mitchell’s fancy new wine wagon? Or learn the difference between dark and white whiskey at Pennsylvania Distilling Company? Guess I’ll have to do some research. I mean, somebody’s gotta. Welcome back, you guys!
A warm (OK steamy) welcome to some new tent tenants: Camellia Coffee House, now serving primo wake-up juice to the weary and bleary right on our midway…as well as in their cozy little café just up the block. Or if you prefer your pick-me-up served cold…and cold-pressed, welcome to healthy alternative 4Ever Juices; or if you’re looking for a bit more punch, say hello to the local brews served up by Succession Fermentory. Good Fortune to all!
If you want to know who to expect this and every weekend, go to our LFM website and click on the schedule. Make a list. Put it in your basket.
And settle into the summer routine. We’re just getting started! After half a decade or so of writing this letter, I worry about repeating myself, but as we go through the season I’ll do my best to enlighten and maybe even entertain you by uncovering new (to me at least) facts around the foods we grow and enjoy right here in the Keystone State. And there’s always something new under the sun!
I’ll start with garlic scapes. Did you see them at Tucquan’s tent last week? These oddly curly green bundles of what looked like onion grass on steroids? Raise your hand if you knew what they were. Turns out they’re the above-ground proof that garlic is growing under the dirt. Vampires beware! Also turns out these are almost as rare as unicorn teeth, and only available about 2 weeks of the whole year. Mostly at farmers markets. People in the know, know…the curious learn. Color me curious.
So, you take these green stringy things home, trim the ends, oil them up, throw them on the grill for a couple of minutes, aim some good salt at them and serve them up hot and snappy for a mild garlic crunch. You’re welcome.
Verdict…not for everyone, but if you are one who savors slightly savory (say that three times) kisses from your dining partner, this gets it done.
Most of all, and all season long, I want to help you see what a wonderful thing we have here in this little town with a big mission. Way more than food, places like our Farmers Market feed our need for social exchange…a commodity sorely missed these last three years. I hope being part of this community inspires you to engage in at least some of what it offers…art, music, innovation (check out the Maker Space!), and to see how you can make a difference by volunteering for some of the organizations and events that go on year-round. We need you. And being needed is what keeps us going.
So, here is where I tell you to be sure to read all of this and each week’s LEDC Newsletter. Now, go do something on the Avenue and I’ll see you next week!
Terry Baraldi
Citizen at large