Question: What season is it when the world is all colored in red and green? Sit down if you said Christmas.
The correct answer, my foodie friends, is early June, when the farmers’ tables are gift-wrapped in tender spring lettuce, early peas and beans, and get-em-before-they’re-gone asparagus (we’ll come back to them) …all glowing like neon lights, and the perfect complement to the 5-alarm reds of rhubarb, early ripe tomatoes, and strawberries piled like rubies and sweet enough to curl your toes.
Back to that asparagus: if you haven’t read Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle* (and you really should) you may not know that asparagus, along with the robin, is the farmer’s cue that winter is over…and one of the first to leave the table. Truly a spring thing, the farmer stops cutting new spears at the summer solstice (June 21), and sets the bed’s snooze alarm for next April.
So gather it while ye may, and enjoy it roasted or steamed, with just a touch of butter or olive oil. Don’t overthink the seasoning! Asparagus tastes best super fresh and only slightly accessorized.
*Be advised, this won’t be the last time I push this entertaining, enlightening, and a little bit frightening book. Kingsolver dishes the actual dirt on where your food has been.
Market Update: All of this week’s vendors are listed at the bottom of this page, but I want to give some props to a couple of new tents making their LFM debut: There’s Lucille’s Grand Daughter, featuring soul food served up the way her family does it. And for a taste of the islands, the irrepressible YaYa serves up traditional Caribbean Cuisine. Grab a slice of her millionaire’s pie. Who knows what could happen?
Guilty pleasure department: Pssst! Red Brick’s pineapple rumdrizzled into Icery’s coconut cream water ice. Shhh! Don’t tell ‘em I sent you.
And while we’re on introductions, please stop by the LEDC Market Manager’s tent and meet our new Market Manager, Gabe Peter. Welcome to the party, Gabe!
In the Music Tent: Multi-faceted and charismatic Cassandra Xavier brings her rich voice and strong acoustics. Mellow out on the Landing side.
Artist of the Week: Karen Heenan (now an official L’Downer!) creates Useful & Beautiful and totally useable art out of upcycled fabrics. Great for one-of-a-kind housewarming gifts…or just because.
The Essential Herbalist and wellness consultant Christine Fierras brings her holistic approach to healing and everyday health, for a more beautiful and productive life.
This week’s Community Table: Union AA Thanks to all who donated to the 4th of July fund last week. We’ll be at the market again this week, so tell your friends to step up.
ATTENTION ENTREPRENEURS: The first Community Day is June 29th. This is a great way to get some exposure for your home business, hobby or organization. Spots fill up quickly, so get your application and $35 fee to us ASAP.
Need to organize your shopping list? Let me help:
This week at the LFM: Fruitwood Farms, Green Zebra Farms, Herrcastle Farm, Mitchell & Mitchell Wines, LLC, My House Cookies and Pies, Potato Homestead, Wilson’s Curiously Good Foods, Amazing Acres Goat Dairy, Conshohocken Brewing Company, Firehouse Donuts, Kay Way Juice, Lucille’s Grand Daughter, Red Brick Craft Distillery, Yaya’s Caribbean Cuisine, Relishing Grannies, The Icery, Bonnie’s Wondergardens
NOTE: Big Sky Bread will NOT be here this week. Will return for June 15th Market.
Some vendors are weekly, and others appear on a rotating basis…I know! It can get confusing! So, to see who’s coming when, just check the LFM schedule. For up-to-the-minute changes, check out the LFM Facebook page.
Reading is FUNdamental, so if you don’t want to miss the FUN, don’t forget to check out the community calendar on the LEDC website.
See you at the LFM!
Terry Baraldi
Livin’ la vida loca in Lansdowne