At this point, I’ve given up counting on the calendar as my shopping guide…the continued mild weather is still pumping out a last hurrah of corn, peaches and melons. Tomatoes too, although not necessarily field-ripened, are still great for slicing onto a hearty sammy or burger, or baked into a pizza. Speaking of which…our tomato sensei, Mitch of Green Zebra, has bottled up some summer sizzle with his own tomato sauce (not gravy) to carry you through the winter. Jars available in $4 and $7 sizes. You can also spread the gospel of the GZ with his brand new line of Green Zebra t-shirts! So stop by before you’re left shirt out of luck.
All that said, there are plenty of signs pointing to Fall palates: root veggies, cool weather greens and thick-skinned winter squash are getting pride of place at the produce booth. Beguiled by some fine lookin’ turnips, I took a chance and took some home…and then wondered what to do with them. To “the Google,” and it turns out…turnips are now trendy. Who knew? And super good for you. Gonna mash these guys up.
Parsnips are still waiting for their moment. Snuck into the mix, the big white “carrot” thingy is a nutrition-rich great way to reduce the caloric impact of that Thanksgiving mound of mashed potatoes. Best of all…no one has to know!
Of course, the ubiquitous sign of the season is that big fat orange pumpkin. And as promised, this month I’m offering a weekly seminar on how to make the most of it.
Raise your hand if you’ve ever lost your prized pumpkin to the neighborhood bad boys…squirrels. Uh huh, I thought so. This year, fight back. The solution may be no farther than your kitchen pantry. …although, I gotta wonder about the Vaseline trick. #Messy.
Next week: how to preserve your Jack.
In the Music tent: Mellow and contemporary vocals and acoustic guitar by Fiorenza Dowling
Artist of the Week: Who doesn’t love repurposing materials to create something new, unique and possibly even useful? Grassroots Homegrown Handcrafts and Needlework is exactly that. Bring your holiday gift list and commence shopping.
The Essential Herbalist will be on hand to suggest ways to combat winter’s effects on skin, body and soul. We all need to gift ourselves every now and then.
Hard to believe we’re already into the final weeks of the LFM…just three more to go…plus our Thanksgiving extravaganza. But that doesn’t mean we’ll just coast from here on out. There’s still plenty on our plate.
Oct. 27 is Fall Fest and our final regular market of the season. That means: the last Community Day. Space for this popular event is limited. Anyone who wants to show off their start-up, their non-profit or just their hobby, sign up NOW. Applications and $35 fee are due Oct 15. Download here or stop by the Market Manager tent.
And…also on October 27th, the Lansdowne Borough Kids’ Halloween Parade: Bring your favorite little trick-or-treaters to the Market in time to make the rounds and practice their pitch at the vendor tables. Then, at 12:45, Mayor Tony will lead the parade to the Twentieth Century Club for more sugar and swag. Prizes awarded for Most Original, Cutest, Scariest, Funniest…as well as Best Action Hero (or Shero!) and best Parent/Child duo.
AND: November 17 Thanksgiving Bonus Market. At this last hurrah of the season, all of our vendors are invited to be there. As always, you can find info on all of them at our website.
But don’t wait! The next three markets are the time to place any special orders for pies, cakes, soups and sweets for your Thanksgiving table.
Mark your calendar: as in winters past, there will be abbreviated markets on each 3rd Saturday, from 10 to noon, December through April.
Also worth noting: Election Day is Nov. 6. Lansdowne Votes will be at the Market to answer any questions regarding your precinct location, who is on the ballot (all parties), and other voting-related questions.
And PLEASE, don’t forget to consult the rest of our Fresh Picks Newsletter and the LEDC’s online community calendar for all of the other events between now and December: the November 3rd 5K Harvest Run, A Bit of the Arts on November 23 & 24, and the Holiday Gift Shop at Utility Works on November 24.
See you here and there!
Terry Baraldi