Fresh Picks

October 8, 2015 | Visit the Farmers Market online at LansdowneFarmersMarket.com | Subscribe to Fresh Picks


MARKET NEWS for this Saturday, October 10

Weather or Not

The bad weather forecast last Saturday seemed to have kept a lot of shoppers away, as well as caused an unheralded number of vendor no-shows. With only four Markets left before we take a little break, now is no time to let the weather scare you off. October -- about the least predictable month weather-wise, save that it will be sunny (or cloudy), chilly (or surprisingly warm), rainy (or dry), breezy (it is pretty much always breezy) -- requires advanced skills in dressing oneself and preparedness in general. You'll be in a hoodie, a raincoat, and waterproof shoes one day, and a logo tee, a shirt with the sleeves rolled up, jeans, a trucker cap, and sandals with socks the next (you know who you are). To be on the safe side, stash an umbrella, a change of shoes, and maybe some flares in your trunk, dress in layers, and show up for the Market already.

Unconvinced? Here are six reasons to come to the Market in the rain:

  1. Lots of parking spaces available
  2. Virtually no wait for service and probably a bigger selection
  3. Vegetables come prewashed
  4. Easy to get a table at the café (which is under a tent)
  5. Free puddles for the kids, with or without purchase
  6. We give out Market Bucks just for showing up

That said, if it's really coming down -- which it wasn't last week (it barely sprinkled, you wimps) -- we often close things up early. The Market will be there, but maybe not all the way till 1:00. Another example of why we advise not waiting until the last minute to come out.


Warming Trend

That hinky weather we just mentioned makes us want to eat things that have cooked on top of the stove for hours or that have baked in the oven for a while, things with layers of flavor and sometimes with a little kick. Like gumbo and jambalaya. The internet abounds with recipes for these, as well as several explanations of the difference between the two, which is, essentially, that jambalaya is a casserole that has rice as part of the dish, and gumbo is a stew served over rice. What we want you to know is that most of the essential ingredients for these dishes are available at the LFM -- andouille sausage from Freeland Market, chicken from Livengood, and okra, bell peppers, tomatoes, celery, garlic, onions, and scallions from our various produce providers. (Obtaining that essential spice of Cajun and Creole cooking, filé powder -- or ground sassafras leaves -- was once practically impossible around here, but the internet has changed that.) If you really want to be directed to some recipes, maybe go to this jambalaya from Emeril Lagasse (he should know from jambalaya, right?). And this one for gumbo seems pretty easy and is very well reviewed, though there are loads more you could try. If you believe, as we do, that nothing takes your cooking to the next level like good technique -- the "musts" of the dish -- try this slideshow about how to make gumbo, which shows just how brown your roux should be (answer: really brown, like chocolate).

Another thing we're drawn to in this weather is gratins, defined as "a dish that has bread crumbs or cheese on top [editorial note: preferably both] and that is cooked in an oven." Gratins tend to be vegetable based and, more specifically, fall or root vegetable based, so no wonder our mind is moving in their direction. This slideshow from Saveur magazine includes gratins that feature onions, red cabbage, Brussels sprouts (we keep waiting for the day that veggie is renamed "brusselsprouts" and we can all breathe a sigh of relief), rutabagas, kale, squash, fennel, and, of course, lots of potatoes. Seriously, bookmark that thing because some day you're going to need a side dish for a cold-weather dinner and you'll wonder where you saw all those yummy gratins. But the one we're taking to our next bring-a-dish is this one -- roasted cauliflower with tomatoes and goat cheese -- in part because we can get all three of those main ingredients at the Market this Saturday (we're using fresh tomatoes instead of canned, as well as Amazing Acres' goat cheese). The other part is that it sounds just fantastic and no one ever objects when the thing you bring to a bring-a-dish is fantastic.


Vendor Land

On this second Saturday of October, we are planning on seeing the following vendors: Weekly: Bonnie's Wondergardens, Buy the Dozen Bakery, Frecon Farms, Freeland Market, Fruitwood Farms, Green Zebra Farm, MyHouse Cookies, Poniton Farm, and Wilson's Curiously Good Foods. Nonweekly: Amazing Acres Goat Dairy, Mojo's Popcorn, Paradocx Vineyards, Taste of Puebla, The Avenue Deli, and Vera Pasta. Visiting: Essential Herbalist and Ridge Valley Farms.

Livengood just let us know they're taking this Saturday off. Both our visiting vendors missed their September appearances, so it's been far too long since we've been able to get at their goods. But at last, maple syrup and lotions and balms of all sorts will be at hand.


Housekeeping

It's come to our attention that more photos from Dog Day have gone up on John Green's website since we linked it last week. If you looked then and didn't see your pooch, try again now (you may have to click over a couple pages, since the most recent Market always loads first). Or, if you just like dogs and want to admire them, have at it, friend!

The final Community Day of 2015 is the last day of October, and the application deadline is October 17, next Saturday. Download the app here, complete and submit it, and get on board to showcase whatever it is you want to bring to our attention that day. We're all ears!

Last year we had only a couple entries for the Sweet Endings Dessert Contest. Not to be petulant about it, but if more people don't participate this time, we'll probably scrap the contest in the future, which would be a shame, but why do something if no one is interested in it. So, with that in mind, please consider entering the contest, all the proceeds of which go to the local food bank. There is no shame in not winning, but there may be regret in not entering. The contest is on October 31, you need to include one ingredient from the Market (one stinking ingredient, come on!), and all the other info is on the application. So enter. #NoRegrets


Fire Truck! Fire Truck! Fire Truck!

Tonight and tomorrow, be a part of National Fire Prevention Week by attending one of two (or both) open houses being held by local departments. Tonight, the Lansdowne Fire Company hosts its open house from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Come to the 26 N. Highland Avenue station to meet your local firefighters and first responders as well as enjoy live demonstrations, free goodies for the kids, informative fire prevention materials, and light refreshments.

Tomorrow, the 111-year-old Yeadon Volunteer Fire Company will hold their annual Fire Prevention Open House from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at 600 Church Lane in Yeadon. There will be a live fire-fighting demonstration beginning at 7:30. Bring the family to meet firefighters, tour the lime yellow fire trucks, and see several fire displays. Hot dogs and refreshments will be served. Any questions, give them a call at 610-623-9642.

FEATURED THIS WEEK

Artist of the Week

This is Pure Scents Candle Company's one stop at the LFM this season, and owner Margaret Mace always sells a whole lotta her all-soy candles, meaning you'll get the best selection of scents and styles if you come early. Having a store of her long- and clean-burning candles on hand is something you'll congratulate yourself for when you need a quick gift.

Musicians of the Week

Fiorenza-Dowlin are now in their 13th year, and for at least 5 of them they've been appearing in our Musician tent. They always put on a great show of originals and covers. (Remember to tip extra if it's raining.)

UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS

Book signing and discussion:
"The Education of Joey G."
featuring author Gus Kearney
Saturday, October 10, 3:00 pm
Books available for $20 each
Lansdowne Theater
31 N. Lansdowne Avenue

And Then There Were None:
Live Theater at Twentieth Century Club
presented by Lansdowne Public Library
Wednesday, October 14, 7:00 pm
Twentieth Century Club
84 S. Lansdowne Avenue

Lansdowne Folk Club presents
Christian Lopez Band
Thursday, October 22, 7:30 pm; $17-$20
Twentieth Century Club
84 S. Lansdowne Avenue

Lansdowne Presbyterian Preschool Academy Fall Festival
Moon bounce, pumpkin painting, bake sale and open house
Saturday, October 24, 10 am-2 pm
Lansdowne and Greenwood Avenues

Do you have an event to announce?
Send your upcoming events to events@lansdownesfuture.org to have them included in this space!

Read our announcement and advertising policies.

View the complete listing of local events.

market photo
Here's more market photos from John Kelly Green Photography

facebook

Lansdowne Farmers Market

Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation

MAP

The Lansdowne Farmers Market takes place every Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm in the parking lot next to 28 North Lansdowne Avenue, rain or shine.

Visit our sister market, the Oakmont Farmers Market, Wednesday afternoons in Havertown for more local produce, bread, meat, and other products.

Newsletter Sponsor

RCN

Mercy Fitzgerald Calendar

AmazonSmile