What’s been going on!

Second Labor Day weekend in a row with the remnants of a tropical storm passing by and bringing rain on Market day.  Last year it was Hermine, this year Harvey.  What bit of rain that we might get will not slow us down at market and is nothing compared to what has happened in Texas.  We feel deeply for the people in and around Houston, for what they are going through now and what lies ahead.  We lived in Houston in the early ‘70’s and experienced several floods but nothing on the scale they have been through in the last week.  Send help their way, whatever you can do.

We have been getting quite a bit done in advance of the rain coming in today by picking all the peppers yesterday as well as planting yet more fall crops.  The peak of fall planting occurs for us right around Labor Day, especially fall lettuces which all need to be in the ground by mid-September and if we get behind there is no catching up.  With the days getting shorter fast, it is a matter of enough daylight to grow the plants to maturity before both the short days and cool temperatures bring growth to a halt.  The rain will water them in nicely.

Only three weeks until the Carrboro Farmers’ Market’s fall Harvest Dinner on September 21st.  A fun community event and fundraiser for the market.  Supported by over many local restaurants who each prepare a dish for the potluck style dinner.  It is always enjoyable to visit with people not in the shopping scrum of Saturday morning over a meal.  Get your tickets while they last!

Picture of the Week

Kyle mulching collards with the pepper field behind

What’s going to be at the market?

Pepper roasting will happen despite the rain!

Remember to come to the stand first to get your peppers into the queue and then when you are finished shopping your roasted peppers will be waiting for you.  If you want a large amount roasted let us know and we will make sure to have them ready for you, they freeze great!  For our Green Chile fans this is a great time for us to do big orders as we have a lot and they are really nice.

All of the peppers are here in all colors and heat levels.  Sweet Red Bells; Corno di Toros in yellow, orange and red; lime green Italian Cubanelles.  Ashe County Pimentos, long and sweet Jimmy Nardelos and a few Spanish Piquillos.  Shishitos and Padrons for appetizers and Aji Dulces the Habanero flavor without the heat.

Hot peppers from mildest to hottest- Passilla, Anaheim (New Mexican), Poblano, our own Picante Pimento, Serrano, Jalapeno, Guindilla from Spain, Cayenne.

Fall salad crops with Summer Crisp Lettuce, Japanese Salad Turnips and Red Radishes.  Callaloo, Jamaican spinach, our favorite hot weather green, with just a quick sautee.  Cilantro is back too.  Lots of beautiful Eggplant with Heirloom Italian, striped Nubia and Fairy Tale.  Spaghetti and Butternut Winter Squash.

The Crested Celosia wave continues, big felt like heads.

As a reminder if there is anything that you would like for us to hold for you at market just let us know by e-mail, by the evening before, and we will be glad to put it aside for you.  Just so you know, sometimes not everything listed will be at the Wednesday market.

Hope to see you all at the market!

Alex, Betsy and Jennie

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