A Citizens Alert: Suspicious doin’s around town…home invasions are being reported in record numbers. Nothing appears to be missing; in fact, quite the other way ‘round. Bulging bagfuls provide all the evidence and explanation needed. Zucchini season!
Yes, friends, that long tubular green has hit its high-water mark, and home gardeners are getting creative in their desperation to share the wealth. Throw in a stack of tomatoes (ripe or green) and a couple of cukes and no front stoop or porch is off-limits to the cultivated cunning of…Zucchini Zorro. Generous to a fault.
Not to seem an ungrateful giftee…we loved getting bundles of fresh garden lettuce in May, then carrots and beets…and I might admit to poaching a coupl’a cups of berries that you know the birds would have gotten if I hadn’t gotten there first. But zucchini…it’s like the gift that just won’t stop giving. After you’ve gone through the usual repertoire: grilled and roasted, shaved into slaws, baked into breads…and just when you’ve finally hollered UNCLE…he strikes again. Whatcha gonna do with yet another monster veggie, when what you really crave right about now is a some chocolate and maybe a cookie?
Wait, WHAAAAAT? Did someone say cookie?
Just so happens that my summer’s BFF…say it with me now…Barbara Kingsolver, has you covered. Hop on over to her Animal, Vegetable, Miracle Recipes and, there at the bottom of the alphabet of good eats: Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies. I kid you not. Babs…you’re the bees’ knees!
And not just the bees…she’s the butterflies, too. Specifically Monarchs.
I spent several dawns this week being midwife and cheerleader to flocks of these glorious things, watching each one emerge from an impossibly beautiful celadon green chrysalis and take to sun and sky. It was joyous. It was contemplative. It was a most lovely way to spend a summer sunrise. But it’s also deadly serious business…the monarchs are in trouble. And that means we humans are too.
Beg or borrow a copy of Kingsolver’s Flight Behavior to learn why. A beach-read romance and a real warning. We are the caretakers. We must do better.
Back to the Market…It was noticed that there were a few empty spots last Saturday…not too unusual as the summer winds down. Even farmers take vacations…as if playing in the dirt wasn’t enough fun. But hopefully by this weekend we’ll be back to what passes for normal around here.
The calendar is steadily inching towards fall…so take advantage of the last days of summer with an extra order of nectarines and peaches that this long hot summer made extra sweet. Last week there were even still blueberries…buy ‘em up, freeze ‘em up, swirl ‘em in smoothies, bake ‘em in scones and plop ‘em in pancakes. Or gingerbread! Remember gingerbread? Turns out blueberries and ginger are perfect together…to which this blueberry gingerbread cake can attest.
And speaking of farmers, that cute new couple, Stacey and Shawn of Greenhorn Gardens will be back with their assortment of plants, peppers and personality. Please stop by and give these self-styled urban gardeners some love. And if you’ve got the time and nothin’ else to do on a Friday afternoon, go see their garden shop, located right inside the gates of Arlington Cemetery. And they’re just getting started, folks. Ah, youth!
One other note: Next time Jerky Jack is here, stop by and ask him about his new products (now adding turkey and bacon flavors) and his new USDA-APPROVED rating. His product also now has a longer shelf life, but with the same great taste.
To see the vendors for this week, and for the rest of the season, go to our website or FaceBook page.
In the Music Tent: Singer/SongwriterJessica Graae will share the Landing space with folk artist and guitaristRay Naylor.
Artist of the Week: Myrna Koman and Emkay Bead Designs: Beaded jewelry and embellishments for everyone. Mommy and Me bracelets a specialty.
August 31 is our next Community Day.
And then the big fun: Dog Day, Sept. 7. Is your pooch ready to parade?
Stop by the Market Manager’s tent to see what other things are happening around town and around the county…Like Delco Arts Week (Sept 21 – 28) which of course includes Lansdowne’s Arts on the Avenue Festival(Sunday, Sept. 22). Get those dates on your calendar now.
It all happens here.
See you there!
Terry Baraldi