This is the last week of operation for the Salisbury Farmers Market for 2009. The market will close at noon Saturday. Take advantage of the many items still available.
I have feasted on fresh, homegrown produce for the past six months. Whatever was in season determined my menu. There are still lots of seasonal fruits and vegetables at the market as well as delicious homemade baked goods and beautiful plants and crafts.
Fruits and vegetables
Eagle Farm will have plenty of mixed greens and turnips as well as sweet potatoes, red skin potatoes, onions, several varieties of apples, mountain cabbage, tomatoes and fresh peanuts.
Duard Cress decided to go fishing on Saturday but he will be at the market Wednesday with a large selection of apples. In addition, he will have some potatoes and cabbage and probably a few tomatoes.
Larry Pruitt will provide you with some good-looking collards and mixed greens, turnips, sweet potatoes and pie pumpkins. Bobby Oxendine still has tomatoes, fresh peanuts and a new crop of honey.
Baked goods
Kris at the How Sweet It Is booth will have Halloween cut-out cookies of ghosts and pumpkins for your Halloween treats.
There are also pumpkin pound cakes and pumpkin pies as well as her usual variety of muffins, fruit pies, cookies, cakes and breads.
Emma at The Bread Basket has a large selection of loaf breads including sourdough, whole wheat and seven grain. She will also bake some of her great sandwich cookies in pumpkin and oatmeal. Try her unusual candy apple pie, apple cake and dinner rolls.
Hand crafts
Dot at Frogholler Farm has really cute trick-or-treat bags in fabric that are reversible, just in time for Halloween. She will be putting together some gift baskets that will contain lavender sachet, lavender wands and lavender eye masks and maybe a lavender candle if you would like.
Ruth Booker will be displaying her handiwork and will be taking special orders for Christmas.
Mary Owens has some gorgeous baby quilts and some unusual handmade tree ornaments as well as hand embroidered pillow cases.
Plants
Joyce’s Flowers has a large selection of pansy plants in many colors as well as beautiful mums.
Also, there are butterfly bushes, jams and jellies and honey.
Other notes of interest
Many of the vendors will accept special request or orders for their products. T & D Charolais will be offering their beef selections throughout the winter.
When you visit the market this week, ask the vendors for their business cards in case you need to contact them for a holiday order or just to indulge in a favorite dessert.
These people can help you with your menu plans for the upcoming holiday season.
Katherine Jones is a master gardener volunteer for the Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County.
For more information about the Farmers Market, go to 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.