Hanging mums from Lost Lake Acres Greenhouse. (South Pinckney St.) --Photo by Bill Lubing 

One reason the Dane County Farmers' Market is so successful is that it offers two important products: First, you find an ample supply of what folks need for their everyday meal preparation -- carrots, apples, onions, meats, cheese, and bakery, etc..

Another delightful aspect of the market is finding what you don't expect to see. It pays to carefully scan each and every table for new or unusual products.

Last week a DCFM patron emailed to say Harmony Valley Farm (East Mifflin St.) is offering fresh ginger. We checked it out and sure enough, there was a pretty decent supply of some excellent looking ginger. Grown at the farm in the Viroqua area, this ginger doesn't have the heavy "skin" of typical ginger. It has a stalk that we minced up along with the root.

Other producers who offer fresh ginger include Blue Skies Berry Farm (East Main St.) and Kayoua Yang (North Pinckney St.).

We've used the ginger to make ginger beef (sans the corn starch, DCFM honey instead of sugar, and with added DCFM broccoli plus twice the ginger called for) and a fish soup. It's got plenty of that ginger flavor and definitely tastes fresher than what we typically find at the store.

Harmony Valley invested three years of experimentation to bring the ginger to market.

Speaking of East Main St., last week Walee and Sheng Lee Xiong brought several bags of peanuts that they grew on their farm. Walee offered me a taste. They're yummy!

The Xiongs are not the only producers who are offering peanuts.  Sylvan Disch (South Carroll St.) offers peanuts and peanut plants for sale, though it may be too late in the season for the plants.

We're going to buy a bag and make a little home made peanut butter. We're just trying to decide, chunky or smooth? Definitely check them out.

If you run across any products you find interesting or unusual, do drop us a line. You can email bill@dcfm.org.

Roasted Root Vegetables with
Maple Balsamic Dressing

Adapted from

 www.food.com

Organic broccoli from Young Earth Farm
(South Pinckney St.) --Photo by Bill Lubing

We strive to keep this list as accurate as possible. We probably  missed an item or two that is at the market or listed an item as available when it is not. Chances are that not all items mentioned or listed below will be at each market.  If you see an item at the market that is not listed here please email bill@dcfm.org so we may update the list. 

      

 

 

Return to 'In This Issue' Contents 

 

 

Pretty bottles with some delicious maple syrup from
March Rapids Company, LLC. (East Mifflin St.)
--Photo by Bill Lubing

 

Kind of Freaky, Yet Festive
Madison's Halloween celebration, Freakfest 2012 takes place next Saturday, October 27. While the festivities don't begin until 7:00 pm, the stage and other event infrastructure will restrict vehicle access to West Mifflin and North Carroll streets.

Hours, vendor location, and access on the Main Street and Pinckney Street blocks will not be affected. The event takes place well after the 2:00 pm closing time of the market.

It's Time to Order That Thanksgiving Turkey
It's best to preorder your Thanksgiving turkey from your favorite DCFM vendor. By ordering now chances are you'll get the size and breed you requested.


Until next week.