Podcast from April 18, 2009 market

Athens resident Bob Stewart spent yet another part of a Saturday talking to folks at the market. Here's the podcast:



Or download the mp3.

Podcast captures sounds of the market

Athens resident Bob Stewart spent part of Saturday (April 11, 2009) talking to folks at the market. Here's the podcast:



Or download the mp3.

Neil Cherry's Tree

Fruit from a 120 year old Apple Tree

Planted in the 1880’s by Solomon Spring, my great-grandfather, this tree has produced fruit for people and animals for over 100 years . . .during wars and depressions . . . Good times and not so good.

Birds nest in its hollow trunk and during the ice storm this winter deer came at night to paw the grass eating the dropped fruit.

The next day as I looked out my window – juncos,
titmice, woodpeckers, bluejays, etc. were feasting on the leftovers the deer had uncovered.

As I look out my window at the ancient tree I looked
beyond to the trees my father planted nearly 60 years ago and on to the next ridge where we planted over 100 new trees just last year.

What’s your definition of sustainability?


(This was hand lettered on corrugated cardboard in the crate of apples at Neil Cherry’s stand, April 2009, Athens Farmers Market. Printed here with his permission.)

Official Opening Day

Hail to the green things! This past Saturday was a happy and exciting day for me. It was great to be back with the Athens Farmer's Market family. So many beautiful green things (like these gorgeous herbs from Companion Plants), so many vendors, so many customers!

The sunshine, blue skies and comfortable temperatures (albeit just a wee bit nippy) made me want to share and old Casa recipe with you. Plus, Sarah begged me to find something delicious and green (since green is the new black, by the way), and I'm happy to oblige; spring makes me hungry for green things!

Right now at the restaurant, we are preparing a delicious Fresh Spring Herb Vinaigrette to dress your salad. In fact, you can buy it at the market, or at least, feel free to come by and sample it! I have a special salad dressing that we've done at Casa in the past for you to make at home. Can I interest you in Casa's Green Garlic Vinaigrette? It's simple, easy and elegant.

Casa Nueva's Green Garlic Vinaigrette

1/2 cup Red Wine Vinegar
1 1/2 cups Olive Oil
1/4 cup chopped fresh Green Garlic (I know Rich Gardens Organic Farm has this!)
1 Tbs. fresh Lemon Juice (juice from 1/2 lemon)
1/2 Tbs. Honey (Cantrell's Honey is most delicious)
1/2 tsp. Sea Salt
1/2 tsp. Black Pepper

Use an immersion blender or whisk it until everything is combined thoroughly. Then it's done! Use immediately on spring lettuces from Sassafrass Farm and Green Edge Gardens. Or try it on some delicious Ramp Pasta from Integration Acres with a little Parmesan cheese! Lip smackin' springtime goodness!
I wanted to take this moment to say thanks to all of the folks that came to market this past Saturday and that always grace the aisles with their presence. Way to support your local economy by buying that fresh, local, delicious food! And those smiles. Y'all know how to make the Casa folks feel good. Thanks for saying you missed Casa; we missed you too! See you next Saturday!

Anticipation!

If you don't live in Athens, Ohio, or haven't even heard of it, we are home of one of the best farmer's markets in the United States. And I get to be a food producer there! How lucky am I?

Market day for Bruno and me is SO MUCH FUN. We start out at the restaurant early and get together all of the fresh salsas and baked goods (prepped by a collective of folks) we can. Sometimes I get excited 'cause I made that sesame soy salad dressing or the guacamole that you're about to buy. I jump up and down and say to Bruno, "See, look what I made!". Anyway. We head to market in Bruno's comfy, yet loud vehicle, and everyone makes fun of it, but we don't care. We've made it to the market!

I put my shades on. The sunny mornings are the best. The fresh morning air (even in the dead of summer), EZ-Ups going... well... up, producers piling tables high with gorgeous products, and the conversation. The conversation makes it for me-- the happy "Good mornings!", the smiles from other producers, all the little jokes. I feel like I'm a part of making this unique community.

After Bruno and I set up our salsas, biscuits and Scrabble letters, we shop for Casa. Anything we can get our hands on this spring will be used with love and pride in our restaurant (that asparagus was MINE! gimme those strawberries! oof!). Then Bruno is on a coffee mission and I'm on a mission to shop for home. I have to hurry, though, 'cause...

THE BELL RINGS! And they're off! I race back to our stall because customers from all over town, all over the county, all over Southeastern Ohio (who have never been to the AFM before? Really? Let me tell you about this place...), they are burning rubber to get the goods. We are busy ladling salsa verde and red chile roasted garlic salsa into containers all morning long. Our favorite brownie customers come by, and so does the lady who always buys sesame soy dressing and black bean salsa (you know who you are, wink wink). Our customers comment on the lovely products we got for the restaurant. Oh, you see those beautiful baskets of fruit behind me? Yeah, those are for the restaurant and we got them from Cherry Orchard. Yes, we are having a lovely time sampling all these delicious jars of jam that we bought from Shew's Orchard. Yes, isn't that box of bright orange habaneros crazy? Cowdery Farm always hooks us up with the awesome peppers.

Then, before we know it, it's 1:00. Where did the day go? Where did all the salsa and veggies go? Shiny happy customers all over Athens County have taken them home to enjoy, and I breathe a sigh of relief and happiness. Another successful day at the market.

And by the way, hello! My name is Michelle and I'm one of the food coordinators at Casa Nueva. Welcome to my first post as a guest here at the Athens Farmers Market blog.

I cannot wait to get back to the market. See you in April!