Stocking up for the Holidays
For most of the year, most of the Crescent City Farmers Markets are food only markets. We make an exception in December however, to expand the range of items you can purchase at the farmers market, so you can continue to support local agriculture and local small businesses, and get your holiday shopping done at the same time. For the entire month of December, current CCFM vendors are invited to bring non-food items to the market, so long as they meet at least one of the following criteria. Non-food items must be:
So come on down, pick up hand made goat’s milk soaps and lotions, quilted casserole carriers, potted poinsettias and paperwhites, veggie celebrity t shirts and stationery, tallow based soaps, wreaths and boughs for decorating, and so much more.
|
 |
Picks of the Week:Happy Hanukkah, Y’all!
Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days when the Maccabees defeated the Syrian-Greek army and re-dedicated the holy temple in Jerusalem over 2000 years ago. Miracles are great and all, but the real reason to get excited that it’s Hanukkah time is for the food. It is traditional to eat foods cooked in oil to celebrate. Cue the latkes and jelly-filled doughnuts. While we don’t regularly advise it, this is the time of year when it’s perfectly acceptable to eat fried potatoes smothered in applesauce or sour cream eight days in a row. If you find yourself tiring of your bubbe’s recipe, fear not, there are dozens of alternative latkes to try out. What you’ll definitely need are some ingredients from the market to inspire you: sweet potatoes, spaghetti squash, beets, and so much more. Happy frying!
|
 |
 |
Not Your Grandma’s Fruit Cake
It’s stollen time! Stollen is a german loaf made with spices, nuts, rum-soaked raisins, and coated with powdered sugar or almond paste. It’s traditionally eaten during the Christmas season, and pairs great with a cup of coffee or hot tea. It also makes a lovely holiday gift. Stop by Tuesday or Saturday CBD markets to pick up your festive loaf from J&D Blueberry Farm, who use Captain Mueller’s famous recipe.
|
Pecans
While pecan harvest can fluctuate with peak volume usually occurring every three years, this year marks the first in at least four years where many vendors have a good volume to bring to market, and we’ll soon be welcoming back seasonal pecan vendor, Inglewood Farm from a years long hiatus from market. At our markets you’ll find whole pecans in the shell, or cracked which can be just what it sounds like where the shell is lightly crushed making it easier to get into, or sometimes cracked also involves blowing off the shell pieces that come away in this process yielding an almost completely shelled nut. And if vendors know someone with a sheller (an expensive piece of equipment) or have one themselves, or have some extra time on their hands, you might be able to find shelled halves or pieces. Pick yours up from Peeps Farm, A&K Citrus, Williams Produce and more to satisfy your snacking and holiday baking needs.
|
 |
 |
Vendor of the Week:Niyama Mama
New to the Rivertown Farmers Market lineup this season is Niyama Mama, a certified yoga instructor! Andrea Wimberly found her affinity for yoga over 15 years ago, strangely enough through Wii Fit. She has taken classes all over the world, but decided to settle down in the town of Kenner to spread her love for the practice by way of a small class at the Boat Launch and the backyards of her friends. Andrea believes that “Peace on Earth IS possible… But it begins with inner peace. Niyama Mama’s goal is to share that knowledge with everyone here in Kenner… One person, one yoga class, at a time.” You can find Niyama Mama every Saturday morning at the Rivertown Farmers Market where she offers FREE YOGA (donations welcome). Perfect to center yourself through the holiday drama and the extra carbs.
|
Tuesday’s Green Plate Special:Chef Aaron Burgau
We’ve got farm-to-grill for you this Tuesday at the Green Plate Special tent. Former CCFM market manager, Chef Aaron Burgau of Patois and Central City BBQ will be mastering the pit and serving up smoked chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, pastalaya and more for us. He will only be here the first week of December, so stop by and grab a plate while you can - tis not something you want to miss! See ya for lunch tomorrow and catch Gabrielle Restaurant next week.
|
 |
 |
Recipe of the Week:Beet and Beet Green Latkes
Even if you aren’t celebrating Hanukkah, you’ll want to try this recipe for beet and beet green latkes by Cooking Light. This recipe combines regular potatoes with beautiful and bright beets, which will add some visual interest to your table. Plus, any vegetable that has been grated and fried is likely to be a hit. Grab your beets from Two Dog Farms, Monica’s Okra World, and others. Or substitute in any number of root vegetables found right now at the market, like butternut squash, sweet potatoes, or carrots.
|
 |
   |
