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Happy Holidays!
This extended heatwave had us feeling like chestnuts roasting over an open fire, so this Saturday, when temperatures drop to a refreshing 80 degrees, we will be celebrating like it's Christmastime.
Our Cool Yule will feature all the fresh local veggies that can't come by in December, plus holiday fun and festive flavors like gingerbread, peppermint... and more. Plus, we'll be decking the "stalls" with holiday decorations and getting a huge jump on our Christmas shopping.
- Behmerwald Nursery can help you keep your summer garden looking great, plus offer advice for year-round planting.
- Kay Bryant will have her original designs of jewelry, bags and clothing.
- And Neil's Sharpening Service will be onsite with handcrafted pens and wine bottle stops, in addition to sharpening your knives, scissors and gardening tools.
Wondering what's for Dinner?
Bendy Brook Farm will have plenty of pasture-raised, chemical-free ground beef, beef patties, grill sausages, hot dogs, chicken wings, legs and thighs, and boneless breasts that are perfect for the grill on these hot summer days.
Or consider something different altogether. They now have a limited amount of chevon (goat meat) available. Before you cringe, consider this: 70 percent of the world eats goat as a regular source of meat protein. This recipe for Jamaican Goat Curry is a festive tropical alternative for your "Christmas in July" meal!
Give them a call at 610-404-2003 or email nevin@bendybrookfarm.comand let them know what to bring along.
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What's Fresh This Week
Summer is in full swing, which means our farm vendors will be bringing lots and lots of delicious fruits and veggies, fresh from the fields.
Our produce list includes:
Apricots
Beans
Blueberries
Carrots
Corn
Cucumbers
Garlic, Organic
A Variety of Greens
Herbs
Leeks
Mushrooms
Peaches
Plums
Plumcots
Spring Onions
Squash. all kinds
Tomatoes - a variety of heirloom varieties
Zucchini
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Wanted: Dedicated, Cheerful, Elves
(or humans): who are willing to volunteer their time and talents to help make our farmers' market the best it can be.
Our market depends on the support of dedicated people in our community.
A few hours a month can make a big difference toward making our market successful and sustainable.
If you can lend a hand, please call us at 610.454.1050, or email us at farmersmarket@collegevilledevelopment.org.
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On Stage: Christine and Company
Hometown favorite, Christine and Company is always a welcome addition to our market. Their unique style of acoustic music,
influenced by folk, rock, r&b and just a splash of jazz, always brightens up market day. This week they'll be singing a few Christmas songs as well for our Holiday market.
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Vendor Roll Call
Here This Week:
Anita's Guacamole - Guacamole made on the spot with the freshest ingredients.
Behmerwald - Perennials and shrubs, arrangements of garden flowers as well as some fresh cut flowers for making your own arrangements.
Bendy Brook Farm - Chemical and hormone-free, pastured beef, pork, poultry and eggs.
Fat Head Peppers- Peppers stuffed with quality Italian ingredients like sharp provolone and prosciutto, made in North Wales, PA
Fresh-A-Peel Hummus - Stop by to taste their fresh approach to hummus - savory, spicy or sweet!
Jenny & Frank's Artisan Gelato - authentic Italian gelato - the finest gelati, made in micro-batches, based on fresh, locally-produced dairy, fruit, and other ingredients.
Kay Bryant - One-of-a-kind, handmade and hand-sewn clothing, bags and jewelry.
Neil's Sharpening Service - Sharpen knives, scissors, garden tools, and shop for hand-crafted gifts like pens and bottle stoppers
Philly Bills Dills - Everyone's favorite pickles
Philading - Fantastic chocolate chip and berry scones, plus international food like Lebanese hummus, falafel and baba ganoush.
PV Produce- Produce, grown organically in a Perkiomen Valley High School by the Take Action student group.
Yellow Springs Farm - Al and Catherine Renzi make Yellow Springs Farm cheeses using age-old processes borrowed from both French and Italian traditions.
See Ya Real Soon...
Annie Pod Press - original etchings and linocuts
Earth Energy Herbs -
Home-grown, and locally-produced, chemical-free apothecary creates herbal products traditionally used for healing both mind and body
Royce Yoder-Hand-thrown pottery pieces, made in Royce Yoder's Lederach studio. His work can be found in galleries and shops all over the United States.
Little Lost Creek Alpaca Farm -
Fine yarns and woven products
North Star Orchard -
family farm growing unique and heritage varieties of tree fruits and a wide variety of vegetables
Old Mill Gourmet
gourmet jellies, jams and other products made from farm-fresh ingredients
Pure Scents Candles -
clean burning, beautifully-scented soy candles
Ridge Valley Farm -
maple syrup and maple products including: maple sugar, maple cream, maple coated nuts and maple walnut ice cream topping.
Tonya Lov hand-sculpted, porcelain and beaded jewelry is inspired by nature and created in Collegeville. Each piece is original and hand-made. Contact Tonya for information about custom-made designs
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A Very, Veggie Holiday
Collegeville Farmers' Market is proud to offer great vegetarian and vegan options at our market.
Did you know Yellow Spring Farms uses only sea salt and vegetarian rennet in making their delicious, local artisan goat cheeses, making it a great option for vegetarians as well as omnivores?
Did you know Marcy's Granola has honey-free, vegan versions of all their granola flavors?
Plus, Philading has a full array of vegan and vegetarian-friendly, international food choices.
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Happy Birthday, Barkley!
Barkley celebrates his 6th Birthday on Saturday. Stop by to wish him well and to bring home some peanut butter treats for your four-legged buddy. |
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It's Never Too Early for Christmas Spirits
Happy Hour, Fresh from the Farm
 It's five o'clock somewhere, so stop by our vendors to sip some holiday spirits, and take some home for your own summer celebrations. Frecon Farms will be on site to roll out their Early Man hard cider, made with heirloom apples, fresh from their orchards. This light, but full-bodied sparkling cider is great for warm-weather get-togethers and pairs well with cheese, poultry or pork.
Or you can mix up an easy peach Bellini Cocktail with fresh peaches (also from Frecon Farms). This recipe from Ina Garten is an easy one with great results.
Wine From A'dello  A'Dello Winery will be onsite with a big selection of wines, including their newly released Riesling, plus fruit wines, good for inventing specialty cocktails and sangria for every season.
Make your cocktail party complete with: - Fathead Peppers, stuffed with sharp provolone, or artichoke spread on a St. Peter's baguette.
- Middle Eastern snacks like Lebanese Hummus, falafel, and baba ganoosh from PhilaDing
- Fresh guacamole and salsa from Anita's Guacamole
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Visions of Sugar Plums
Holiday Sweets and Treats
 All Hands in the Cookie Jar
Holiday fun is for everyone with All Hands in the Cookie Jar's Gluten-free Vanilla-Cranberry Bread, mini-pumpkin bread loaves, Christmas cut-out cookies, gingerbread kids in swimsuits, and awesome chocolate whoopie pies with peppermint candy cane filling. 
Frosty Fun 
In celebration of Christmas in July, Jenny and Frank's Artisan will feature White Chocolate Peppermint Gelato (at Collegeville Farmers' Market only!) They will also have Ginger Peach Gelato, the winner of last year's market taste off, plus refreshing new Watermelon Mint Sorbet, Rustic Lemon and Chocolate Supreme. Buon Natale! Nutty and Nice  Cashew with Cranberry granola from Marcy's Granola makes a nice Christmas in July breakfast choice. If you like cashews too, you'll love this one! The 100% Vegan Cashew is lightly sweetened with low glycemic index; organic blue agave. Or treat your sweet tooth, to a guilt-free tropical holiday with Original Macadamia Nut granola with dried papaya, pineapple and coconut. With Marcy's Christmas is July special, you can get these great flavors for $1.00 of the regular per pound price. |
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ICED and Sweet
Need something to take your mind off the summer heat? This week's Christmas-inspired ICED by Betsy cupcakes will transport you to a Winter Wonderland.
- Egg Nog - A deliciously sweet vanilla cupcake filled with an eggnog mousse. Frosted with rum/nutmeg buttercream and topped with vanilla cake & nutmeg sprinkle.
- Candy Cane - Our signature chocolate cake filled with a sweet peppermint filling. Topped with vanilla buttercream and topped with festive peppermint crunch.
- Hot Cocoa - Our signature chocolate cake filled with fluffy marshmallow cream. Frosted with vanilla buttercream and topped with a sprinkle of hot cocoa, marshmallows, and a chocolate straw!
- You Can't Catch Me- Moist and spicy gingerbread cake filled with cream cheese frosting. Frosted with more cream cheese frosting and topped with a gingerbread man cookie!
- Under the Mistletoe - Our moist peanut butter cake filled with chocolate mousse studded with chocolate kisses. Frosted with vanilla buttercream and topped with a Christmas cookie favorite, Peanut Butter Kisses! Smooch!
- Pure- A simple & elegant vanilla cupcake filled with vanilla mousse. Frosted with vanilla buttercream and decorated as a cool, cute snowman!
You can pre-order any quantity of cupcakes from the flavors of the week! Place your order via email cupcakes@ICEDbyBetsy.com or phone (610)755-7062. You can check out more cupcake news here.
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Getting Your Goat?
It's Good for You!
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Photo credit: Bendy Brook Farm
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Goat meat comprises about 63 percent of all red meat that is consumed worldwide. It is the main source of animal protein in many North African and Middle Eastern nations and an important protein source in Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and other tropical regions. But for some reason, it is just now catching on here in the United States.
It's a wonder that it has taken so long, given the fact that nutritionally, goat is far better for you in terms of calories and fat than beef, pork and even chicken. Plus, goats can be easier on the land than other kinds of animals, making goat meat, or chevon, a more sustainable choice.
To read more about it, check out this story from the Washington Post.
Goat curry is a popular holiday dish in Jamaica, and as luck would have it, Bendy Brook Farm now has chevon available in a variety of cuts - cubed, ground, legs and chopped. So it's a perfect time to try chevon as a festive "Christmas in July" dinner.
This recipe, from NPR.org is a good place to start.
Jamaican Goat Curry
Makes 6 servings
 | | Photo Credit: Bonnie Wolf |
4 tablespoons Jamaican curry powder (mild)
2 fresh Scotch bonnet or habanero chili peppers, seeded and minced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 large onion, diced
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
1 bunch scallions, chopped (white and pale green parts only)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 pounds bone-in goat meat (from leg) cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 cups chicken broth
1 bay leaf
4 boiling potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks
In large bowl, mix 2 tablespoons curry, peppers, garlic, onion, scallions, thyme, salt and pepper. Add meat, and mix to coat. Refrigerate and marinate at least 1 hour and up to 12.
Heat butter and oil in a large saucepan. Cook remaining 2 tablespoons curry, stirring constantly, until it darkens slightly. Remove meat from marinade (reserve marinade) and brown on all sides, in batches if necessary. When all the meat is browned, add the marinade, chicken broth and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook 1 hour.
Add potatoes and cook until sauce thickens, meat is fork tender and potatoes are cooked, 30 to 40 minutes. Taste for seasoning.
Serve with white rice.
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Over the Fence:
News From the Neighbors
Keystone Grange Open House
After the market, stop by the historic Grange Hall, 192 West Main Street in Trappe, PA. for an open house on July 21 after Noon to see what the Grange has to offer you, your family and your community.
The Grange is a non-partisan, non-sectarian, fraternal organization with roots in agriculture and community life. The Grange was founded as an agricultural organization but its members come from all walks of life.
They will also be previewing thier 40th annual Grange Fair. Be the first to know what will be at the fair! Reserve your spot at the Ice Cream Social! Cow pie bingo tickets and BBQ tickets will be on sale. Refreshments will be served and all proceeds will benefit Keystone Grange.
Collegeville Blood Drive Scheduled for Monday, July 23rd
The Annual Collegeville Borough Blood Drive will be held on Monday, July 23rd from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Collegeville Fire Company, 29 E. Fifth Avenue, Collegeville.
Donations are currently down more than 10 percent across the country resulting in 50,000 fewer pints of blood than expected. Your donation is greatly needed now!
If you haven't given blood before, learn how important it is-and simple it is-to donate here: http://www.redcrossblood.org/
To schedule your appointment to give blood, contact Kathy McFadden at 610.489.9208 or kmcfaden@borough.collegeville-pa.gov .
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