Food, Community And All Things Sustainable
Showing posts with label farmers market. Show all posts
Showing posts with label farmers market. Show all posts

August 30, 2011

Freezing Tomatoes


Freezing is an easy way to preserve tomatoes, and it takes much less time than canning tomatoes. There is no need to blanch or remove the skin before freezing.

Frozen tomatoes retain their fresh picked flavor, and make a tasty ingredient in any recipe calling for tomatoes - tomato sauce, marina sauce, soups and stews.

For best results use vacuum seal bags, plastic bags or rigid plastic containers designed for use in the freezer. 

Equipment:
Knife – used to remove core and any bad spots
Cookie sheet
Freezer safe containers

Ingredients
Fresh tomatoes

Method
  • Wash tomatoes.
  • Remove the core and cut out any bad spots.
  • Place tomatoes on a cookie sheet and place in the freezer for 30 minutes or until the tomatoes begin to freeze. Note: Taking this step will prevent tomatoes from sticking to one another, making it easier to use just one or two tomatoes rather than having to thaw a block of frozen stuck-together tomatoes.
  • Remove tomatoes from freezer.
  • Insert into freezer safe container.
  • Return to freezer.

How to remove skin from frozen tomatoes:
  • Remove desired number of tomatoes from the freezer.
  • Place the tomatoes in a bowl of cold water.
  • Allow to sit for up to 5 minutes – the skin will begin to crack.
  • Use a knife or your fingers to remove the skins.

August 29, 2011

Freezing Beans - Green, Wax and Snap



A quick and easy way to preserve beans is by freezing.  A few easy steps can make it possible for your family to enjoy beans throughout the winter months. Use fresh picked beans from your garden or the local farmers market.

For best results use vacuum seal bags, plastic bags or rigid plastic containers designed for use in the freezer.  Package according to your family’s needs: pint bags or containers hold 2 cups, quarts hold 4 cups.

The beans should be blanched and cooled before freezing. Lacking a blancher, use a kettle.
A handy chart provided by National Center for Home Food Preservation shows blanching times for various vegetables.

If you are new to blanching or need a refresher, read Blanching How-To

Freezing Beans

Equipment
Blancher
Large bowl of cold water
Freezer safe containers
Sharp knife for cutting beans to length

Ingredients
Fresh picked beans

Method
  • Wash and drain beans.
  • Remove stem end and the little “tail” at the opposite end with a sharp knife, or by snapping them off with your fingers.
  • Cut or snap the beans into 1” or 2” pieces.
  • Blanch for 3 minutes.
  • Remove from blancher and put into bowl of cold water.
  • Drain and put into freezer container.
  • Put containers in the freezer.

August 27, 2011

Farmers Market Action

Action at the farmers market. Particularly like that Bijou Hills Grassfed Meats posts their Mission Statement for all to see. Watch for LeAnn Werner of Muddy Pumpkin Farm showing off a double goldie heirloom tomato - 3.5 pounds - and a "pinocchio" eggplant. Happy Hydros' "Buy Fresh Buy Local" signage is almost as awesome as their hydroponic produce!


August 26, 2011

Sauted Green Beans




Serves four. A new way to serve an old standard - green beans. Easy and delicious gourmet cooking right at home.

Equipment:
Blancher or kettle
Bowl of cold water to cool green beans after blanching
Saute pan

Ingredients:
One-half pound fresh green beans (two good handfuls)
2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs
Sea salt


Method:
  • Blanch beans for 2 minutes 
  • (Lacking a blancher: Put enough water in a kettle so that it will cover the beans. Put on medium heat and bring to boil. Add beans and blanch for 2 minutes.)
  • Remove beans from water and put into cold water.
  • Drain beans.
  • Place saute pan on medium heat.
  • Add olive oil and garlic.
  • When oil is warm, add beans.
  • Saute, stirring frequently, until beans are crisp-tender, about 5 - 7 minutes.
  • Add bread crumbs,stir and saute an additional 30 seconds.
  • Plate up and enjoy!


Fresh Corn Salsa

Four ingredients, all fresh from the garden or the local farmers' market.

Equipment:
A sharp knife for removing corn kernels from the cob
Kettle for par boiling corn
Tongs for removing corn from kettle
Pan of cold water for cooling down corn after par boiling

Ingredients:
2 cobs of corn
4 medium sized heirloom tomatoes, diced
1 medium sized purple onion, diced
1 bunch cilantro, leaves only
Sea salt (optional)

Method:
  • Husk corn and remove silk
  • Place a plan of water on medium high heat and bring to a boil
  • Carefully place corn in boiling water, using tongs
    Par boil corn for 2 - 3 minutes
  • Remove corn from boiling water and place in cold water to stop the cooking process
  • When cool enough to handle, use sharp knife to remove corn from cob
  • Place corn kernels in a bowl
  • Add remaining ingredients
  • Mix
  • Enjoy!

August 24, 2011

TOMATO MARMALADE

 
Over run with pear or cherry tomatoes? 

Make tomato marmalade.  

What does one do with tomato marmalade? Spread it on toasted herb bread, or place a dab atop a slice of goat cheese on a cracker, or use as a condiment for a beef sandwich.  So goood......

Tomato marmalade can be simple – tomatoes and sugar boiled together until thick.  Herbs, such as rosemary, oregano or thyme can be added, and will enhance the flavor.

The formula:
  • For every pound of tomatoes, use a pound of sugar.
  • For every pound of sugar, use ½ cup water.
  • For every pound of tomatoes, use one bunch of herbs, ¼ cup or more, optional.
  • Yield: 1 half-pint jar for every pint or .75 pounds of pear or cherry tomatoes.  
  • One pint of tomatoes equals .75 pounds.
  • One pound of sugar equals 2.25 cups.

TOMATO MARMALADE
Yield: 4 half-pint jars

Equipment:
Kettle for cooking marmalade
Canner with jar rack and lid
4 sterilized half-pint jars with lids and bands
Ladle
Jar lifter
Magnetized lid lifter
Small kettle for preparing hot lids

Ingredients
Herbs, optional
4 pints or 3 pounds pear or cherry tomatoes
3 pounds or 6.75 cups sugar
1 ½ cups water
Sherry vinegar or balsamic vinegar, optional

Method
    • Wash tomatoes and remove stems.
    • Remove dead leaves from herbs, wash.
    • Put water, sugar and herbs (optional) into the kettle.
    • Put kettle on medium heat and stir to keep sugar from sticking.
    • Bring mixture to boil and boil for 1 minute.
    • Add tomatoes.
    • Leave lid off and do not stir.
    • Allow mixture to simmer, without stirring. The liquid will become clear as the tomatoes begin to sweat out their juice.
    • Cook until thick. Decreasing heat if necessary.
    • When the mixture begins to carmelize – taking on a brownish color - add a splash of sherry vinegar and stir.
    • Ladle hot marmalade into jars, leaving ½” head space.
    • Wipe the rim with a clean damp cloth.
    • Apply a hot lid and band.
    • Using a jar lifter, put jars into a boiling water bath canner.
    • Process in a boiling water bath: 10 minutes for half-pints.
    • Using a jar lifter, remove jars from canner and place atop a towel in a draft free area.
    • Listen for the ‘ping’ that indicates the jar is sealed.
    • When cool, press on the center of the lid to check for a seal – lid will be concave and have no “give.”
    • Remove band and reuse. 
    • Wipe jar and store in pantry.

    If you are new to canning or need a refresher, check out these articles on Sustainable Dakota Digest:


    Home Canning: How to Get Started



    First learned about tomato marmalade at Culiblog. Have been a fan ever since.

    August 20, 2011

    FARMERS MARKET

    Another good day at the farmers market with Muddy Pumpkin Farm touting the benefits of beyond organic, food as community and food as a connector.



    August 18, 2011

    KALE CHIPS

    The foray to the farmers market on Saturday was incredible on many levels.

    Plenty of vendors, good product, live-radio broadcasts, sustainable demos - canning and rain barrels, and a totally festive atmosphere.

    One customer brought over a sample of kale chips she made with kale purchased the week before.

    Delicious!  And she shared the recipe she adapted.

    Sorry, no photos.  Too busy making and enjoying kale chips.



    Kale Chips

    Amazingly these kale chips taste as if they are sprinkled with cheese.  Yet, cheese is not an ingredient.

    Ingredients:
    1 red bell pepper, seeds removed, coarsely chopped
    1 or 2 bunches curly kale
    1 cup raw cashews, soaked for 24 hours
    1 large tomato, seeds removed
    Juice of 1 large lemon
    1/3 cup nutritional or brewer’s yeast
    Sea salt and pepper to taste

    Method:
    1.       Remove stems from kale and use in another recipe.
    2.       Tear kale into bite size pieces.
    3.       Rinse to remove any dirt and spin dry in a salad spinner.
    4.       In a food processor, process cashews and lemon juice into a paste.
    5.       Add the red bell pepper, yeast, salt and pepper
    6.       Process until smooth.
    7.       Place kale pieces and half of the mixture in a large bowl.
    8.       Massage the mixture into the kale pieces – massage each leaf individually.
    9.       Add more of the mixture as needed.
    10.    Place kale pieces on dehydrator trays being careful to not overlap pieces.
    11.    Dehydrate at 110 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 to 6 hours.
    12.    Store in air tight container.

    Adapted by Beth J

    August 13, 2011

    Mitchell Farmers Market - National Farmers Market Day

    The Mitchell Farmers Market continues to grow and expand. It celebrated National Farmers Market Day with live radio broadcasts, demonstrations and plenty of vendor action. Here's some shots. Sorry, too busy at the height of the market to get any good crowd shots. Believe me there were crowds today.

    August 12, 2011

    Farmers Market

    Chamberlain, SD - wonderful produce, meats, and baked goods. End of market day shots.

    Bent Spatula
    Happy Hydros, LLC
    Platte Hutterite Colony
    Bijou Hills Grass Fed Meat (Larry Wagner)
    Muddy Pumpkin Farms

    March 23, 2010

    What to do with local food

    Coming to Kimball on Tuesday, April 6th. 
    Details to follow.  Mark your calendar.
    Click on image to enlarge.

    February 6, 2009

    So tell me...........

    Do you know what these items have in common in relation to the State of Wisconsin?

    Tomatoes, potatoes, basil, thyme, peppers, cows, eggplant. Got an answer yet? Well, then, let's add to the list:

    Oregano, brussel sprouts, cabbage, okra. Got the answer, or need more hints. Here's a few more:

    Thai eggplant, thai peppers, lemongrass. Give up? I'll tell you what they have in common.

    They are not from here. They came here with the folks who migrated here. And aren't we glad for it? Just think of all the good local foods we have because of it. Local eating is not boring eating!

    I'm enjoying my own frozen and canned tomatoes, and lemongrass and peppers, but I'm sure looking forward to eating fresh in a few short months. How about you?

    June 1, 2008

    Farmers Market and Indie Musicians

    I love our local farmers' market - well it's actually a farmers' and artisan's market. We had a great time in our section of the market - despite the windy conditions. If we weren't running to catch signs, we were running to catch other items that were blowing out of our stands. But all in all, it was a good day. We had good customer traffic, good sales (went home a lot lighter than we were upon arrival), and lots of folks stopped by to talk about raspberries, asparagus and looked at our rain barrels. And, of course, we got to smell all those good aromas coming from D Green's Outdoor Cafe.

    Today was Becky's CD Release Party at Stumpjack. That gal sings like an angel. Nice crowd, good drinks and awesome music. Becky's Six Degree's partner, Bill, entertained us during Becky's break. He's an incredible musician. And then another guy played (sorry, didn't catch his name) - and Wow! another incredible musician. I love the Stump and all the indie musicians who share their talents with us. Can't wait for these indies to play at the farmers market!


    May 27, 2008

    Urban gardens, farmers markets and other fun stuff

    Gardening season has started in earnest. I've heard from lots of folks that they planned to finish planting their gardens this past weekend - a Memorial Day tradition is this area. We had the perfect weather for gardening.

    Had a lovely Memorial Day weekend: Saturday was spent at the farmers market. Sunday was breakfast at Stumpjack, conversation with two new friends, followed by a visit to the Hamilton Wood Type Museum. J & S came along to the museum, where we got a tour and watched our new Stumpjack friends printing with wood type on the hand operated printing presses. We also learned that HWTM will celebrate their 10th anniversary on Memorial Day weekend in 2009. Monday was the Memorial Day Parade followed by brunch at a dear friend's house in celebration of her birthday. Happy birthday K -- all the best to you!

    The local farmers market is taking off. We had a good group of vendors and nice customer traffic. Lots of folks stopped at our vendor booth, chatted with us about gardening, and purchased items. I'm really liking the idea of collaborating with other (mostly) urban gardeners
    and artisans so that we can offer some really unique wares at the farmers market. Works well for all concerned.

    Wondering what you might find at our booth and at our farmers market? The list expands each week, but here's a sampling:

    On Saturday we had in our vendor booth: maple syrup, asparagus, rhubarb, chives, bedding plants (asparagus roots, garlic, chives, raspberries), house plants, rain barrels, and other sustainably produced, repurposed wares.

    You will also find the following items in other vendor booths: bedding plants, house plants, spring produce, eggs, doggie biscuits, handcrafted artisan wares (rag rugs, monkey sock dolls, yard art, candles, dish cloths & towels, art work, jewelry) and D Green's Outdoor Cafe - where one can get something good to eat and drink, whilst sitting down and visiting or playing a game! Our farmers market rocks!

    May 18, 2008

    Busy, busy

    More vendors at the farmers' market -- fresh asparagus, eggs, honey, green onions, rhubarb and lots of bedding plants and perennials. I just love the vibrancy of a farmers' market in the spring!

    And the Art & About Spring Gallery Tour was a total success! We had a great time at the Burtard Studio greeting customers and talking about our art - and selling some of it! And all the artist friends who stopped and spent some time with us. What great friends they are - I'm smiling right now thinking of how they appreciated our various works and encouraged us to continue on.

    I'm all pumped for the next tour and have a couple 20 or so new sketches of items to start working on - the ideas never stop.



    May 16, 2008

    Outdoor Cafe

    My friend D just let me know she's opening her Outdoor Cafe at our local farmers' market. I am so excited for her - and for us. Ready to eat food is so good at a farmers' market. What can be better than munching on some fresh bakery, chatting with friends while perusing market stalls, and buying fresh local produce and artisan goods?

    I love our little market - well it's not so little. This year 50 vendors signed up, so it's a nice sized market, in a tree shaded park right down town. There's even a market stall with information about urban gardening - and supplies for urban gardening and more!

    Visit your local farmers' market this weekend!

    May 15, 2008

    A dangerous ride to St. Vinny's

    Just got back from a bike ride to St. Vinny's where I found a couple yards of incredible 1970's bright green fabric. It's getting washed right now and by tonight will be a new tote. I just love turning old cast off fabrics and notions into cute totes, laptop sleeves, ipod carriers, purses and such.

    Wondering about the dangerous part - well, there's an intersection between my place and St. Vinny's that is known for inattentive, in-a-rush drivers who don't yield to bikes or pedestrians.

    Well there's one dude driving a big white truck who I don't think will want to turn right on red again, and expect a biker/pedestrian with the walk light to yield to him. He got instructions on who has the right of way at that intersection - all delivered full volume while I was scrawling down his licence plate number, his description and his vehicle description - he even told me what year the vehicle was when I barked the question at him. I hope he's scared enough to never try that stupid human trick again. And me - I'll be walking the bike through that intersection. God am I glad for good brakes!

    Finding that fabric sure made my day. Just putting the finishing touches on my "stuff" for a gallery tour this weekend and for our urban gardening stand at the local farmers & artisans market.