It’s a point of pride…the Landsdowne Farmers Market pays no never mind to the weather man…and come rain or shine, that cowbell rings at 9:00 on the dot, and shuts down just as noisily at 1:00. And usually we don’t have to put our market where our mouth is. Except…
If you were there last Saturday, you may have gotten just a little damp in the early minute-to-minute drizzles, but…if you were still there at noon on the dot, it’s entirely possible you may still be drying out. By 12:30 even the staunchest vendors had pulled down their tents and gone off to somewhere…anywhere…dry. Honest, we tried quoting policy, we said we were sure it was just a shower, we prayed to the radar god on the weather app…but the exodus went on. It was that kind of rain. But don’t worry…like Ahhnold, they’ll be back.
Tonight I’m thinking of the farmers…of the possible damage to crops just ready for harvest. Of all the sweat, hope and prayer that went into getting them this far. My prayer tonight is that all will be well…or Mother Nature will have a lot of ‘splainin to do.
On the bright side…peaches have arrived! And were they all pink and yellow and juicy??? Yes ma’am! So it was time for the next stop on my annual local produce pilgrimage, and for my first sticky peach bite of 2023. Oh, mama!
I’m told the corn is coming on strong. And beans and berries (blue and rasp) and OMG melons! Winter may have its warm and cozy, but it takes July to really put a face on fresh…to be sure, a very sticky face, and hands…and beards.
So this might be a good time to stroll to one of our body and skin care vendors for some nice soap to take care of the evidence. And while you’re there, check out the lotions and potions to nourish your skin…whether dry or oily, white, black or brown, you will find people who know what you need. Check out our LFM Vendors to see who, and the Vendor schedule to see when.
But back to food…and isn’t that where we always go? Tomatoes are comin’ in hot! I’m hoping this latest deluge didn’t cause a supply-chain issue with the current crop, because they are already ready, ripe and delicious. Another tic on my local crop checklist. Made my husband one of his favorites…fried red tomatoes in that southern comfort staple: white gravy. The fried tomato part is easy…slice, season, dust with flour and a quick trip through the pan in some oil or butter. (I use ghee.) But it’s the white gravy part that can, if you’ll pardon the coincidence, go South. So here’s the secret: Patience. You can do this...and you’re welcome.
Stocking up on the edible bounty is what the Farmers Market is all about. But once you’ve bought it, ya gotta know what to do with it, right? Especially if you let your eyes overrule your stomach…I’m guessin’ your mom probably said that to you at least once or twice? Well…just go ahead and buy as much as you want, because if you’ve got a recipe and a freezer, I’ve got you covered.
Announcing the “LAST MARKET of 2023 LFM DESSERT CONTEST”! OK, we don’t have all (or any) of the details, but we here in the Managers’ Tent will be making them up and writing them down. For sure there will be a Grand Prize, but we don’t know the “what” there, either. The only rule we know for sure is that the main ingredient must come from the LFM. So make room in your freezer for the early fruits, the berries and cherries, the peaches and plums. The apples and pumpkins will be ready and waiting. More on this evolving development later…Stay tuned.
In the Music Tent: Bill Baraldi…and yes, he’s related, and AWESOME! I’m hoping he’ll be joined by the lovely Simone on vocals. Don’t miss this. I’ll be taking names.
BTW: The response to the Music Tent reopening has been gratifying, to say the least. It was a challenge to try to repopulate our local talent list, but in many cases, they found me…which was waaay better! BUT: (there’s always a BUT), I’m hoping that someone who has more of an active association with the local music scene, and some expertise with sound equipment, would be willing to help me take this into the next season. The position would come with a job title: VOLUNTEER.
It takes a village.
Terry Baraldi Now, please scroll down and post a comment or question. Let me know you’ve been.