Yesterday was the day for our local Farmer’s Market. It is held in our charming downtown square every Thursday from early June to about mid-October. For being a small suburban Chicago town, we have one of the best markets around. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone walk away empty-handed.
I dragged along a little canvas shopping cart. Look what I filled it with:
It was the last week for fresh peas.
Tart cherries and black raspberries just screamed a jam-making session this weekend. Black raspberries have a short season so I may grab more next week before they run out. Look at those gorgeous colors! (P.S. I am not a hot summer weather girl, but how I love summer produce!)
So these were fun to find! The herb bread with an “everything” coating is out of this world! One stand had all flavors of roasted smoked peanuts. I knew immediately which one to buy – the roasted dill. Fabulous. Then at the “Apple Holler” stand I noticed apple butter, which reminded me that I had remembered seeing a recipe on the Smucker’s site for a meat loaf that used a little apple butter in the meat mixture plus for a topping. It turned out that was last night’s dinner: Apple Butter Meatloaf, fresh peas, and baked potatoes with sour cream and chives. It was so good! Click on the meatloaf recipe here.
I have some favorite canning and preserving cookbooks and set them out to make the jams this weekend.
These are two that I always use. I love that old Farm Journal one originally printed in 1963. This is the 1973 issue. I love Concord grapes and it has so many recipes using them. Couldn’t live without this book in the summer and fall! Look at all my notes stuffed into the top.
I hope you have a great Farmer’s Market in your area too. What do you make from all the fresh produce?
Hi Debbie!
I’m visiting a farmer’s market in Providence tomorrow. I’m hoping to find fresh raspberries. I’ve made traditional jams many times but would like to try freezer jam. If you’ve tried it, please let me know!
Michelle
Michelle, I have made freezer jams before. Once I tried a kiwi, and I think the other was strawberry. To me, they don’t compare to a regular home-canned jam, but I think it’s just a matter of personal taste. I remember my husband liked the kiwi. They are certainly easier than water bath canning, but I think that’s part of the fun, plus I like to give them away for gifts.
Farmers markets are delightful. Nothing better than fresh grown local produce. And I can never walk away without a lovely bouquet of flowers, even though I have a garden full, and a few jars of local honey, and a container of local homemade salsa. My daughters and I have enjoyed canning for years, also; peaches, pears, cherries, and a variety of jams. Grateful for those Farmers markets.
Farmer’s Markets are the best!