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| The market last Saturday. |
We’re going into a week of learning at
the market. Every market day we’ll have a cooking demonstration. Today Mary Ann
Pennington with University of Missouri Extension will make and serve samples of
Radish Cucumber Salad. Tomorrow Carolyn Smith, who was the Webb City High
School family and consumer sciences teacher before she retired, will
prepare and serve samples of Quick Confetti Pickles.
And on Tuesday we have the
renowned pesto maker Bob Foos pounding the pestle to turn out that delicious
basil-based dish. It’s be a perfect time make pesto because a) there are basil
plants for sale at the market and b)Green’s Greenhouse is bringing armloads of cut
basil on Tuesday. They planted a whole row in the greenhouse this spring that
is now three feet tall, for Mohaska Farmhouse. With the Farmhouse slated to
close next week, we can look forward to a very generous supply of basil. Place
an order with Tim or Vi Green and they will bring what you need to the market. Pesto
freezes very well and you can stock up for the whole year. Freeze them in ice cube
trays and then transfer the frozen blocks into freezer bags. Then you can just
take out one or two to flavor pasta or other dishes.
While we’re sad that Mohaska is closing, we’re delighted to
have a good supply of basil and even more delighted that Redings Mill Bread
Company is being reincarnated and will be returning to the market at the end of
June. Baker Jamie Smith plans to be at every market with his artisan breads, pizza
kits and other tasty treats he perfected while operating Mohaska. (Here’s a
teaser about another returning vendor – we heard from Hector Troyer last month
and he plans to return to the market next spring. Those of you who remember
Hector – he’s the young very tall Mennonite with the fabulous tomatoes who left
three years ago for a stint running a boys home in Stockton – I know you will
be as happy at the prospect as we are.)
We’re venturing beyond cooking
demonstrations this week. Today Shon Bishop and Randy Garrett with Lincoln
University Co-operative Extension will be at the market to answer gardening and
plant question.
Next Friday Steve McKarus with the
Jasper County Health Department will be at the market to hand out information
and answer questions about ticks. I decided, after going on three days of farm
visits and coming home tick-laden each day that my farmers who deal with ticks
every day need to be well-informed. Add to the abundance of the creatures this
year yet another tick-borne disease in our area – the Heartland virus – and I
decided our customers might want to know more about how to avoid ticks and what
to do if bitten.
Now there are some, including many managers
at other markets, who would run screaming from the room at the suggestion of
inviting the health department to their market, but I have always considered
the health department to be partners with us in keeping the public healthy. We
all about improving health and so are they. So today come to the market and
learn how to keep your plants healthy and next Friday come find out how to keep
yourself healthy!
I have to admit that the ticks are
pretty much the only down side of the farm visits. Our farmers are always so
welcoming and have amazing sights to share. Those sights being plants, plants
and more plants. If you have been to the market lately you may have been a bit
overwhelmed by the quantity of produce on display. It’s beautiful in the
market, but it can be breathtaking in the field.
Today we’re open from 11 to 2. William
Adkins plays hits from the 50s and 60s. Granny Shaffers serves lunch.
Tomorrow we’re open from 9 to noon. Marshall
Mitchell plays his original music with a cowboy flair. Marshall really loves
playing for children and they love hearing him, so be sure to bring the kids
tomorrow. Marshall plays from 9 to 11 – or later. Most of our musicians stay
past their booked time if they have an appreciative audience.
Greyhound Pets of America serve
breakfast in the morning. Their mission is finding responsible loving homes for
Greyhounds – most of which are retired racing dogs, to acquaint the public with
what great pets they made and to inform them about the availability of
greyhounds for adoption.
On Tuesday we’re open from 4 to 6 pm
(Bob will demo pesto from 4 to 5:30. He has to leave early to take care of the
Wise Buyer.) Rob Pommert will perform.
Remember, the market is open rain or
shine – in fact when it rains is probably the best time to come because we
really love you then! And we’re sure not
going to complain about the rain. It’s been a dry, dry spring and we need every
gentle drop we can get. See you at the market!
