June 8, 2019

Saturdays, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
This Week's Vendors
Shopping for Fresh and Local Is Exciting!

The weather is heating up as summer prepares to roll in. That means your kitchen and patio should be doing so as well! Here are some of the items you can find at the Mississippi Farmers Market this Saturday for the stove and the grill and even some things to decorate the house and patio:

Blackberries - Blueberries - Peaches - Green Plums - Okra - Variety of Squash Field & Hydroponic Tomatoes - Cucumbers - Peppers (banana, bell, & jalapeno) - Eggplant - Zucchini - Beets - Broccoli - Brussels Sprouts - Carrots
Cauliflower - Radishes - Rutabagas - Snow Peas - Variety of Greens - Herbs
Eggs - Milk - Cheese - Butter - Beef - Pork - Lamb - Honey - Mississippi Grown Rice - Jams - Jellies - Salsa - Coffee

Works from Local Artisans
Fresh Cut Flowers - Herb Plants- Vegetable Plants
Carefully-Prepared Baked Goods
And So Much More!

While shopping, if you have any questions, our vendors have answers! They are always happy to help make your purchasing decisions a breeze!

Saturdays, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
No More Waiting Until Saturday:
MS Farmers Market Now Open on Thursdays, Too!
You no longer have to wait until Saturday to get your fresh produce. Beginning on Thursday, June 13, the MS Farmers Market will be open on Thursdays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m., in addition to Saturdays from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Make your list out earlier, and reserve every Thursday and Saturday in your calendar for the Market!
8th Annual State Employee Day at the Market on Thursday, June 13!
Click on the flyer below to enlarge as a PDF.
Oh, My Okra!
The simple, delicious joys of okra...fried, pickled, stuffed with pimento cheese, boiled with greens, roasted, grilled, or cooked with tomatoes. We also commonly enjoy okra in our gumbo and succotash.

Okra is cultivated in various regions with tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate climates across the globe. Although the plant is actually a perennial, it is cultivated as an annual in most places. Based on their finger-like appearance, they are also known as "lady fingers." It is a very common ingredient in Indian and Caribbean cuisines.

You can find okra at the Mississippi Farmers Market this Saturday!
A Simple, 4-Step Patio-Grilled Creole Chicken & Okra Spring Recipe
Active Time: 30 Minutes
Total Time: 45 Minutes
Yield: Serves 4

INGREDIENTS
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 12 ounces smoked andouille sausage, cut into 1-inch thick pieces
  • 1 pint grape tomatoes*
  • 12 ounces finger-size fresh okra, stems trimmed (about 4 cups)*
  • 1 large sweet onion (about 12 oz.), cut into 1/4-inch thick rings*
  • 1 medium-size red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares*
  • 1 medium-size green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch squares*
  • 1/4 cup pure olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Creole or Cajun seasoning, divided
  • 12 (10-inch) metal skewers
  • 1/4 cup ketchup, warmed
  • 4 scallions, white and pale green parts only, chopped*
  • Already Dunn sweet & spicy sauce (from the Farmers Market)

*These items can be purchased at the Mississippi Farmers Market

DIRECTIONS

Step 1:
Prepare a charcoal fire using about 6 pounds of charcoal briquettes; let burn until coals are completely covered with a thin coating of light gray ash, 20 to 30 minutes. Spread the coals evenly over grill bottom; place grate on grill, and heat until hot. (It is hot when you can hold your hand 5 inches above the grill surface for no longer than 3 or 4 seconds.) Or preheat a gas grill to high (450°F to 550°F).

Step 2:
Combine chicken, sausage, tomatoes, okra, onion, and bell pepper in a large bowl. Add oil and 2 teaspoons of the Creole seasoning, and toss to coat. Thread chicken, sausage, tomatoes, and okra, separately, onto 10-inch metal skewers. Thread bell pepper onto a 10-inch skewer. (You will end up with a skewer of chicken, a skewer of sausage, etc. The onions will go directly on the grill. You can use a metal grilling basket instead of skewers for the vegetables.)

Step 3:
Place chicken on grate over hottest part of grill; arrange sausage over slightly cooler heat. Arrange onions and the skewered vegetables at the edges of the grill. Grill, uncovered, turning once or twice, until chicken juices run clear and chicken is done, the sausage is heated through, and the vegetables are tender and slightly charred, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove meat and vegetables from skewers, and transfer with onion to a large bowl.

Step 4:
Add ketchup and scallions to grilled mixture in bowl, and toss together. Immediately cover tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and let stand until vegetables are slightly wilted, about 5 minutes. Remove plastic wrap from bowl. Stir to combine; sprinkle with remaining 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning and Already Dunn sweet and spicy sauce.

Recipe Source: Virginia Willis on Southern Living
PHOTO: ALISON MIKSCH; PROP STYLING: KAY E. CLARKE; FOOD STYLING: TORIE COX
Did You Know?


Did you know that National Dairy Month originated as National Milk Month back in 1937 as a way to promote drinking milk?
Types of Dairy Milk Explained
In honor of National Dairy Month, we are clarifying some common dairy milk terminologies! When you're out shopping for dairy milk, do you quickly grab the first milk option you see, or do you take a moment to explore your options? As the most popular type of milk, there are some sub-types of dairy milk out there. This could get very confusing or even overwhelming if you have no clue what they all mean!

Dairy milk is rich in high-quality protein that helps keep your bones and teeth strong and your muscles lean. It is also popular for providing calcium and vitamin D in your daily diet. Not all dairy milk types are equal, however. Here is a list of four of the most common labels you typically stumble across in the dairy section along with their meanings:

Whole Milk : 3.25% milk fat by weight; 150 calories in an 8-ounce glass; contains 8 grams of fat.

2% Milk (also know as Reduced Fat Milk) : 2% milk fat by weight; an 8-ounce glass contains 5 grams of fat.

1% Milk (also known as Low-fat Milk) : 100 calories in an 8-ounce glass; contains 2.5 grams of fat.

Fat-free Milk (also known as Skim Milk) : 80 calories in an 8-ounce glass; for those who want to cut calories and fat.
7 Alternative Ways to Use Milk That No One Ever Told You About
We easily incorporate milk into our diets. We pour it over our breakfast cereal. We dip our cookies into it. We use it for our protein shakes and smoothies. We make homemade ice cream with it. However, there are many non-drinking ways to utilize this dairy product. Here are seven ways to do so:

  1. Creating a facial mask.
  2. Removing cosmetics from the face.
  3. Adding it to bath water.
  4. Thawing fish.
  5. Removing ink stains from clothes.
  6. Polishing silverware.
  7. Creating shaving creams.
The Farmer's Table
The Farmer's Table is located at the Mississippi Farmers Market. It is open for dine in or carry out breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until.
Mississippi Farmers Market
929 High Street / Jackson, MS 39202 / 601.354.6573 / Saturdays 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE
ANDY GIPSON, COMMISSIONER