Hello fellow eaters:
I know that last week I said that I would talk about eggplant, but I did not have time this week to talk strategy with my eggplant informants, so I am putting off eggplant for a week or two. Besides there is something quite urgent afoot: peach season has begun. I am not sure whether Berry Good Farm will have peaches this year, but for those of us who enjoy eating peaches, it is imperative to seek out some ohio peaches. The funny thing is that the trees may be closer than you think. Cleveland is full of fruit trees, and many of them have been orphaned. Our intrepid forebears planted fruit trees in back and side yards, and some of these trees now belong to folks who are too busy or do not know how to care for the trees or perhaps do not like the fruit (gasp!). Now, I know where about half a dozen peach trees are, but they all have stewards. It turns out, however, that a stones throw from my house, there were three trees in one back yard in serious need of picking (and pruning next spring, and removing the small maple in the middle, and the mulberry, etc…) The folks who live there were very happy to have peaches picked, and I am very happy to eat them. So the pruning and canning guild sprang into action, and we put up 18 quarts and 7 pints. And all it took was an observant neighbor and a couple of conversations with the people who live there. Ok, it also took a couple of ladders, three long-handled picker-baskets (one homemade), several bucke ts, three canning rigs, and a bottle of wine, but who is counting. And to think, gentle eater, that I have walked my dog by that house for four years and did not know those trees were there! So, as you walk your dog (or whatever or whomever you walk), look around for fruit trees. Ask your friends and neighbors. If you find trees, let people know. If you know where there are trees in need of picking, but cannot pick yourself, email http://www.localfoodcleveland.org/group/clevelandfruitshare. You might consider putting together a canning group. As regular readers of the eater update know, canning for novices is more fun and less stressful when you have partners in crime; besides ever household does not need a canning rig.. Canning is not for the feint of heart, and it requires attention to detail to avoid things going way south, but OSU Extension has workshops every year on fruit tr ee pruning as well as on canning and food preservation. The bottom line is that frequently people who live with these trees would love to have the fruit used (face it, fallen fruit is a smelly nuisance), and we have the technology and the taste to use it if we just pay attention. And since the market certainly has tomatoes, onions, and hot peppers you could make a lovely peach salsa.
The third annual Sweet Corn Festival is 28 August. This year you need more than an entourage; it looks like we are going to have a corn recipe contest. We are still planning so if you have questions, ask Josh at the market on Saturday. Also, the Poultry Project (www.poultryproject.com/) will be visiting the market this week, discussing their activities.
EcoVillage Produce will bring lots of new produce such as roma beans, yellow wax beans, okra, eggplants, potatoes, swiss chard, kale, cucumber, komatsu, beets, carrots, green and red tomatoes, squash, hot peppers, bell peppers, herbs, mint and more…
Berry Good Farm is off this week.
Tinkers Valley Farm will have tomatoes, peppers mild-hot, eggplant, greens, “the usual.”
Morgan Farm Stay is off this week.
Old Husher’s Farm will have smellin’ melon mania (his words not mine, you will have to ask), heirloom tomatoes, peppers, cukes, tomatillos, and, perhaps, special guest Todd Alexander with an assortment of greens.
Buzzard’s Nest Farm will have onions, potatoes, blackberries, melons and more.
Ruby’s Garden will have an abundance of yellow beans (which are delicious; I tried them!), peppers hot and sweet, dill, parsley, cucumbers, zucchini, cherry tomatoes as well as larger tomatoes. Come check out the new vendor.
Bethany Presbyterian is off this week..
Cathie Brenkus is off the next two weeks, but she will be back for the sweet corn festival on the 28th (which is good, because towels may be required).
The Beanery @ Urban Homestead’s coffee menu is: kenyan, espresso, and the decaf from mexico, award winning coffees from kona and columbia, as well as beans from guatemala, and tanzania. Enjoy a hot cup from the clever coffee drippers, also available for purchase, or grab a quick cafe sua da made with our sumatra. If you get to the market early, you can grab a jar of home made jalapeno jelly–not too spicy –as well!
Thymekeepers will have our usual: skin creams, dry herbs and herb blends (french, italian, mediterranean) as well as teas (chamomile, mint,
calming tea with chamomile, lemon balm and lavender, and our new mint
mayhem tea). We will also have hand-painted t-shirts and one-of-a-kind
jewelry all hand made. Stop by for a sample of iced mint mayhem tea!
Haleakala House is off this week.
Buena Dea Bakery is off this week.
Mobite Products will have sweet potato pie (vegan and organic), organic vegan bean pie, organic vegan chocolate cake and muffins, organic vegan zucchini muffins and bread(loaves), and organic vegan carrot cake.
Open Door Bakery will be at the market, but what they are bringing will be a surprise.
Creative Moms will have tomatoes (yellow, grape, and cherry tomatoes), peppers (banana and jalapeño), bath bombs, cards, homemade all-natural dog biscuits, fresh eggs, and chickens and turkeys for pick up and order!
Eco Ice Cream / Cle Zen and Back is off this week
The Gordon Square Farmers’ Market: more food, fewer tourists.
GSFM is located in the parking lot of Bethany Presbyterian Church at W. 65th and West Clinton streets (one block south of Detroit Ave.).
Every Saturday through October, 9am-1pm.
Feed back? Please email or talk to us at the GSFM booth on Saturday.
Gordon Square Farmers' Market --- Eater Update 