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Countryside
Farmers' Market
E-News
August 3, 2011 |
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Market Dates | |
Howe Meadow
4040 Riverview Road
Saturdays, 9am until Noon
May 14 - October 29
Highland Square W Market St. & Conger Ave Wednesdays, 4-7pmJune 1 - September 28  |
| About the
Countryside Conservancy |
Countryside Farmers' Markets are producer-only markets managed by the Countryside Conservancy.
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About our Market Partners
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is the partner for our Saturday morning market at its new Howe Meadow location. Established in 1974 as a National Recreation Area, the park received National Park status in 2000. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is also Countryside Conservancy's partner for the Countryside Initiative program, which offers long-term leases of farms within the National Park boundaries. For more information on Cuyahoga Valley National Park visit their website. For more information on the Countryside Initiative click here.
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Thank you to Old Trail School for their generous sponsorhip of Countryside Farmers' Markets. |
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| Dear Market Supporter,
Over the years, one of my greatest (and possibly dorkiest?) pleasures has been trying new vegetables. I love walking into a market and choosing the wildest thing I can find, then taking it home and figuring out how to prepare it. I have fond memories of the day my husband and I first encountered fiddlehead ferns - we had never seen them before and couldn't wait to get them home to our kitchen (they remain a favorite).
This week, I intend to tackle a vegetable that is familiar to many, yet new to me - okra. To hear my mother tell it, my southern grandmother liked her okra slimy (a quality I recently learned is due simply to overcooking - something that can ruin many a good vegetable.) While many folks appreciate the thickened texture okra can provide, my mother is not one of them. Thus, understandably harboring a deep-seated resentment toward the vegetable, she never let it through her doors once she was an independent food shopper.
So on Saturday, I plan to pick up a beautiful container of freshly harvested okra and learn to cook it properly (no slime involved!) Below I'm including the recipe I plan to use in case you'd like to join me. But even if okra's not your thing, our market is full of fabulous foods to explore. This week, why not grab something brand-new - something you've never tried or maybe even seen - and give it a go? You just might discover a new favorite. Be sure to jump on our Facebook page and tell us all about it when you do.
Finally, I'd like to draw your attention to the "Market Happenings" section below. We have some wonderful offerings for you this week, including an author visit and the return of a well-loved vendor. It's going to be a great week!
See you there,
Heather Roszczyk Market Assistant |
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Market Report for 8/3 and 8/6 |
chicken patties ~ salad mix ~ sweet corn ~ black bean burgers ~ falafel ~ homemade salves ~ certified organic heirloom tomatoes ~ eggs  ~ pork ~ lamb ~ ribeye steaks ~ red haven peaches ~ peach and cherry croissants ~ apples ~ get your garden tools sharpened! ~ fresh mushrooms ~ sunflowers ~ bison ~ kale ~ tea blends ~ feta ~ caerphilly ~ handmade journals and bookmarks ~ Asian veggies ~ pierogies ~ stained glass ~ okra ~ veggie filets ~ breakfast  burritos ~ organic sweet italian sausage ~ grass-fed cheeses ~ eggplant ~ peppers ~ Scottish pasties ~ fresh pasta ~ radicchio ~ tulip bulbs for fall planting ~ hickory syrup ~ fresh edamame ~ basil ~ lettuce ~ local honey ~ handmade soaps ~ flaming fury pie ~ and much, much more! |
| Market Happenings | |
On Wednesday at Highland Square, Chef Brian Doyle will be cooking up a storm in the demo tent. Swing by for a free taste of his creations, and some ideas on what to do with that gorgeous summer bounty!
On Saturday in Howe Meadow, we're excited to welcome Catherine Gund, author of What's On Your Plate. The What's On Your Plate project has been praised by food celebs like Alice Waters and Michael Pollan as it follows seven kids' and families' exploration into our food chain. Be sure to stop by her tent in the center of the market for a signing, and bring the book home to share with your family. Additionally, the Akron Ceili Band will be back this weekend to regale us with their lively traditional Irish music. They were a big hit when they joined us for the first time last month - if you missed them, be sure to pause this week for a listen. And finally, Tea Hills Farm will be returning to the market this Saturday. If you are one of the many (many, many) customers who has stopped by the info booth looking for them, come and get your chicken patty fix! |
| Demonstrate your love of our vendors! | |
Once again in 2011 American Farmland Trust is holding their "America's Favorite Farmers' Market" contest. We are so excited to be in Ohio's top 5, but would really love to take the first prize!! We think our vendors are top notch, and deserve that recognition, don't you? Please take a few short minutes to vote for us. You can find our market by clicking on Ohio's Top five, or by entering our zip code: 44264 in the search section. Thanks for your support!! |
| Reducing Waste at the Market | |
Tip of the Week: Packing Your Waste Not Shopping Kit
I've found when I take the time to pack my shopping bag before coming to the farmers' market it saves me time, reduces the need for plastic bags, and reduces waste. Things to remember to pack in your Waste Not Shopping Kit:
- Reusable bags for all your farmers' market groceries
- Travel mug or bottle for coffee, water, or other beverages purchased at the market
- Mesh bags, used paper, or used plastic bags to separate produce
- Reusable plastic containers or jars to store purchased berries, fruits, or delicate produce (I've been reusing the large plastic containers I sometimes get greens in, or the carry-out containers from lunch)
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| Upcoming Events: | |
Mark your calendars for our annual Tomato Tasting & Salsa Smackdown on August 27! We are gearing up for a full-blown celebration of one of summer's tastiest foods including a guided juice flight, loads of samples, a tasting guide, and of course the feisty salsa competition between the chefs from The Greenhouse Tavern.
OEFFA & Countryside Conservancy are partnering to offer a workshop for established fruit and vegetable growers: Raising the Salad Bar, scheduled for November. Learn more here .
For more information on Countryside Conservancy events, visit our website. |
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Okra, Corn, and Tomato Stew
from How To Cook Everything, by Mark Bittman | |
** Denotes an ingredient available at the market
2 tbsp canola or other neutral oil
1 large onion, chopped**
1 red or yellow bell pepper, stemmed, peeled if desired, seeded, and chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 ripe tomatoes, cored, peeled, seeded, and chopped**
1 cup okra, trimmed and cut into small pieces**
1 tbsp chili powder, or to taste
2 cups freshly scraped corn kernals**
Minced cilantro or fresh parsley leaves for garnish**
1. Place a large, deep skillet or casserole over medium heat. Add the oil and, 1 minute later, the onion and pepper. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pepper is fairly tender, about 10 minutes.
2. Add the tomatoes, okra, and chili powder, turn the heat to low, and stir. Cover and cook, stirring once or twice, for about 10 minutes, or until the okra is tender.
3. Uncover and stir in the corn. If the mixture is very liquid, raise the heat to medium and cook with the cover off for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. If the mixture if fairly dry, cover and cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Garnish and serve.
PS - if you're looking for Tom Noe's delicious market gnocchi recipe from last week's demo, you can find it here on his blog. |
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| Dog Policy
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While we love our four-legged friends, dogs are not permitted at the Countryside Farmers' Markets. They are, however, permitted to play at Howe Meadow, walk on the towpath or elsewhere in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, but must remain on a leash at all times. |
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