Market News - July 20, 2010
From the Market Manager
Hickory Dell Farm and Dr. Cookie are on vacation, and Glenn Butler doesn’t have enough to sell right now, so they aren’t here this week.Now is the time to enjoy our local tomatoes. I put some new recipes in the crate at the market table, so take a look.
Thanks to those of you who have already donated books. We’ve made $25 already. Ron Haislip-Hansberry, the proprietor of PZA Books suggested that we have a book sale at the end of the market. What we don’t sell we can donate to a charity. Pick up a flyer at the market table about book donations.
Farmers’ Market WIC Coupons
They will become available in early August. This year new coupons for the grocery store became available. They are also for produce, but they aren’t for any farmers’ market. The FM coupons are for $2.50 each.IPM
You may see these letters on some of the signage at our market. What that means is integrated pest management. It is not the same as organically produced. You know that there are good insects and bad insects. Bees, good, Japanese beetles, bad, etc. What IPM does is to integrate good insects and other methods such as sticky balls that look like apples, to combat the destructive pests that abound.
Scientists are always trying to find ways to increase yields using as few herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides as possible both for the health of the land, and the health of people and other animals. IPM does that.
Why are Barns Red?
Last week while at Trinity Farm a conversation ensued about why barns are mostly red. The man with whom Dale Smyth and I were having the conversation said that blood was mixed into the “paint.” We couldn’t imagine that. Turns out that there is some truth to that.Here’s what I learned: Hundreds of years ago European farmers started painting their barns with linseed oil, adding milk and lime to the mixture. This combination made a pretty good paint that protected the wood. Sometimes they’d also add ferrous oxide or rust to the mixture because those hindered the growth of mold and fungus which cause wood to decay. When linseed oil dries, it turns the wood darker and the addition of the rust and/or ferrous oxide makes it redder. Sometimes a wealthy farmer would also add animal blood to the mixture after the animal was slaughtered.
The tradition of painting barns red continued after Europeans came to North America even after commercial paint was available.
Gazpacho Contest
I wish that I could claim all of the good ideas for our market, but I cant. Barbara Garvey suggested that we have a gazpacho contest similar to what they do with clam chowder on the Cape. So, let’s do it. On August 3rd, no matter what the weather is like, let’s have a contest. We will supply the cups and spoons, so let me know if you’d like to enter. I’d like to have at least 5 people participating. Gazpacho is best when all of the ingredients are local which I why I don’t make it until August.
Something Cute
While picking blueberries again yesterday, I heard this exchange from a brother to his younger sister. “Only pick the blue ones, not the pink ones. I know that pink is your favorite color, but only pick the blue ones.”This ‘n’ That
Sheila McElwaine will be leading the Riverwalk this Wednesday, July 21st. Meet at the Monarch Place fountain Downtown at 12:15, and walk to the Riverfront walk. It takes about an hour altogether.Take down your tag sale signs (or someone else’s) when the tag sale is over. It’s litter at that point.
The Trinity Church neighborhood party was a huge success. What a great idea.
Trinity has two more Thursday night concert/suppers left this month.
The woman with the tie-dye clothing, etc. will be here next week.
A concert featuring folk singer July Polan will be held at the Chicopee Library this Thursday night at 6:30. The library is at 449 Front Street. FREE. Judy has a beautiful voice.
Bing Arts Center
The Bing is featuring a series of cultural events on the first Friday of every month. On August 6th, Chris Marion, a “flippant and conscientiously caustic comedian” will perform. This is NOT for minors. On September 3rd, Doug Ratner, a local rocker with a following will perform. Doors open at 7:30, performance at 8. A $5 contribution is suggested.Recipe-Green Beans with Charred Onions
From: “Molto Gusto: Easy Italian Cooking”Kosher salt
1 pound young green beans or haricots verts
2 medium sweet onions
1 ½ Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 ½ tablespoons orange juice
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
sea salt
Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot and add 2 T kosher salt. Add the beans and blanch until crisp-tender, 3-5 minutes. Drain the colander and cool under cold running water, drain well.
Halve the onions lengthwise and trim off the ends. Cut lengthwise into ½” wide slices. Heat a dry 12” sauté pan over medium high heat until very hot. Add the onions and sauté until charred in spots but still crunchy, 4-6 minutes. During the last minute or so, add the beans, stirring and tossing to warm them through. Transfer the beans and onions to a large bowl.
Whisk the vinegar, orange juice, and oil together in a small bowl. Pour over the beans and onions, tossing to coat. Let stand for at least 10 minutes, or up to 1 hour before serving.
