Sweet corn now plentiful at Farmers Market
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, June 24, 2009
By Katherine Jones
For The Salisbury Post
Summer is officially here and, along with the heat, we get to take advantage of all the wonderful fruits and vegetables this season yields. This past Saturday Country Garden, Correll Farms, Cress Farm, Eagle Farm and Miller Farm all had numerous selections of locally grown produce available. Among the choices were tomatoes, corn, onions, squash, cucumbers, green beans, peppers and potatoes.
Over the next few weeks, corn will be plentiful. This will allow me to dig out an old recipe passed along by my grandmother and I will prepare what has become a summer ritual, corn pudding. This slightly sweet dish is a great side with all other fresh vegetables.
Corn Pudding
2 C. fresh tender corn cut from cob
1/4 C. all purpose flour
3 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
2 C. whole milk
2 eggs, beaten
2 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
Combine corn, flour, sugar and salt; stir well. Combine remaining ingredients, mixing well, then stir into corn mixture. Pour into a lightly greased 1-1/2 quart casserole. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour, stirring twice during the first 30 minutes.
Another staple of summer is Indian Jack, a fresh relish that is quite tasty with green beans, lima beans, cabbage, okra or most any other vegetable.
Indian Jack
1 C. green pepper
1 C. chopped onion
2 medium tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
Ground black pepper to taste
1/2 C. vinegar
1/2 C. cold water
At least 3 hours before serving, combine all ingredients; cover and chill. Use a slotted spoon and serve with cooked vegetables.
There are many delights waiting for you each week at the farmers market. I invite you to visit and enjoy the friendly vendors as well as the products they provide.
Fruits and vegetables
There are a great many choices available to you from Country Garden, Correll Farm, Cress Farm, Eagle Farm and Miller Farm. Erica Miller promised “lots of corn this Saturday.” Landis Gourmet Mushrooms grow their products in an old mill in Landis without using chemicals, fertilizer or pesticides.
Flowers and plants
The newest vendor, Lee Ly, has some beautiful cut flowers. Bluebird Acres also has a large selection of cut flowers as well as containers and plants for transplanting. Dawn’s Greenhouse is offering patio plants in containers and fresh cut herbs. Joyce’s Flowers expects to have mixed flower baskets, ornamental peppers, hummingbird vines and fig trees.
Meat
T&D Charolais provides beef that has been raised without the use of growth hormones or antibiotics and are all natural grass fed. Wild Turkey Farm offers beef, pork, sausages and eggs; all from free range animals.
Crafts
Ruth Booker and Virginia Alexander are usually on hand with their creations. In addition, Joshua Childers of Childers Bird Homes displays some of his handiwork. You have to see these works of art to appreciate their beauty.
Breads and desserts
How Sweet It Is, The Bread Basket and Posh Pasta and Cakes all offer a tantalizing array of breads, cakes, pies and pastries.
Join me this week at the farmers market and take advantage of the delights of summer.
For more information about the farmers market, visit www.salisburyfarmersmarket.com. The farmers market is located in downtown Salisbury at the corner of South Main and Bank streets. It is open from 7 a.m. to noon each week on Wednesday and Saturday.nnn
Katherine Jones is a Master Gardener Volunteer for the Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County. She and Sue Davis will be providing a farmers market update each week.