Miriam Garcia is a folklorist-foodie, freelance writer and guardian of a super-secret chicken soup recipe. You can contact her at Miriam_G@me.com 

Halloween is what folklorists call a holiday of 'misrule.' These are holidays in which every-day social rules are inverted for a brief spell. On Halloween, for example, normally mild-mannered citizens roam the streets at night. They threaten respectable householders with mean tricks. They gorge on normally forbidden foods. And that's just the kids.

As with most 'Misrule' holidays, (think, Mardi Gras, New Year's Eve, the Super Bowl), Halloween is truly a folk holiday. It is not sanctioned by any religion, state or other institution, unless you count Hallmark. It exists and persists simply because we want it to. Sort of like the Farmers Market, if you think about it.

There are other, even older, connections between Halloween and the Farmers Market, and the farmlands that the market represents. At the very heart of the matter is the fact that Halloween is deeply rooted in the workings of the natural world. For the ancient Celts, October 31st was the most important day of the year. The holiday, which they called Samhain, was a major agricultural 'marker,' the date by which crops were to be harvested. And, as befits a time of dying light and dying vegetation, it was believed to be a night when the veil between our world and the underworld was lifted, so that the souls of the dead could cross over. Abundance and death together powered ancient Samhain, and the same two forces are still mixing it up in the farm fields and forests represented at the Market, and in our own Halloween activities and imagery.

For example, consider your Jack O' Lantern.

First, there's the procurement of the pumpkin. For many people, this involves a pilgrimage from an urban area to a farm or to the Farmers Market. This is a symbolic return to nature in order to gather an emblem of the harvest; ye olde pumpkin.

Next, there's the transformation of the pumpkin from a natural object into a spirit object. Like putting on a costume, turning a pumpkin into something else altogether seems to set the misrule into motion. It's a way to step out of ordinary time.

Finally, there's the big night... as we take on new personas in our costumes, our flickering lanterns assume otherworldly personas, too. The veil between the worlds does indeed seem thin as our symbols of the harvest and abundance, of death and mystery, of rule and misrule, all collide and somehow all make sense.

Fourth Annual Pumpkin Pie Contest is gracing the Hollywood Farmers Market on November 5th.

But the pie contest needs you to make it happen. Whether you have the recipe that won your Aunt Ethel the blue ribbon in the state fair, or you've never baked a pie before, your pie will be welcomed and adored at the Pumpkin Pie Contest. Points will be awarded for deliciousness, creativity and visual appeal. Happy baking!

Contest Rules
· Pies entered for judging must be made with fresh pumpkin (or other squash) purchased at the Hollywood Farmers Market. Please list the farm's name and type of squash used.
· Pie crust and filling must be prepared and baked by the person submitting the pie for judging.
· Entries must include entry form and original recipe listing all ingredients and method in order to be considered for judging.
· Pie plates will not be returned to contestants, so we encourage you to submit pies in a recyclable pie plate.
· All pies submitted for judging become the property of the Hollywood Farmers Market and may not be returned to you in time for dessert.
· Entries will be accepted from 9am until 10am. Judging will begin promptly at 10:30am, with winners announced at 12:00 noon. 

Music & Entertainment:

Sandy Saunders Band 

Community Booth:

Laurelhurst Neighborhood Emergency Team

Redirect Guide 

Upcoming Events:

Hollyween Farmers Market and Pet Parade - Saturday, October 29, Parade at 11:00 am

Pumpkin Pie Contest - Saturday, November 5, winners announced at 12:00 noon

Meat - Plastic is usually not the best way to store most food items - it often speeds up the decomposition process. When storing fresh meat in the refrigerator, wrap raw meat in parchment paper or a towel.  This allows the meat to breathe and stay fresh longer.  When freezing meat, wrap in plastic wrap so that no air can touch the meat and place in a freezer bag.

October 29, 2011  

Mushroom Powder 

Souper Natural
Souper Natural will have a seasonal favorite this week, their Roasted Butternut Squash soup. It is made with local squash and is vegetarian, but not vegan. Ask them about their other seasonal flavors!  

Kiyokawa Family Orchards
Kiyokawa Family Orchards has Taylor Gold pears, which have the smooth sweetness of a comice but hold up like a bosc.   

Village Crepery
Village Crepery will have a few seasonal crepes this week, a favorite being the Turtle crepe. This is filled with nutella and drizzled with caramel and pecans. It's never too early in the day for dessert!  

Gales Meadow Farm
Speaking of dessert, the Hollywood Farmers Market Pumpkin Pie Contest is November 5th! Anne Berblinger of Gales Meadow Farm recommends Uncle David's Dakota Dessert Squash as a very appropriate one for pies. Gales Meadow also has several other types of squash. Stop by and feel free to ask questions. The Berblingers are happy to help you find the squash with your desired flavor profile!

Market Pics