By Sue Davis
Master Gardener Volunteer
Brown turkey figs are available at many vendors this week at the Salisbury Farmers Market. Dawn Bartlett at Dawn’s Greenhouse says the figs are heavy on the trees. Blueberries, watermelons and peaches are also plentiful. Cantaloupes are less plentiful than in years past, but Correll Farm has some exotic melons.
The market is full of color. A bouquet of fresh flowers to bring the colors of summer inside is rivaled by the beautiful reds, greens and orange of tomatoes, the green of fresh-picked corn, green beans and okra.
All the summer favorites are all available in quantity. A feast for the eyes inspires the creativity of the local home chefs. Stuff an eggplant or squash. Make a gratin from tomatoes and onions or a pasta dish with a sauté of fresh vegetables.
Wild Turkey Farm had freshly packaged, local, pasture-raised lamb last week. Contact them to see if your favorite lamb cut is available or reserve one for the next packing. T&D Charolais Beef and Wild Turkey Farms both have pasture-fed beef and pork. Fresh pasture-fed chicken is a week or two off for both. Domisty from Wild Turkey Farm reminded me that hot dogs are available. Their popular pepperoni and salami will be available in a couple of weeks. All meat found at the market is hormone-free and locally raised.
Our three bakers, The Bread Basket, Carla Anne’s Cookies and How Sweet It Is!, provide an amazing variety of baked goods. All three offer sugar-free treats. All three offer sweets and savories including loaf breads, rolls and sweet breads. Emma Martin from The Bread Basket is offering gluten- free products. Her gluten-free carrot cupcakes are moistened with a hint of pineapple. This makes her gluten-free treat a step ahead of normal, drier gluten-free products. Carla from Carla Anne’s
Cookies is making pimento cheese, as is McCombs. Each one has its own flavor and is a good treat for a light lunch or snack.
Saturday at 9 a.m., the Rowan County Master Gardeners will host the annual blind Tomato Tasting. Will Cherokee Purple win again or is there another tomato that has appeared at the market this season that will present a challenge to the local favorite?
The Farmers Market is located in downtown Salisbury at the corner of South Main Street and Bank Street. Visit the Farmers Market on Wednesday from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. until noon.