August 24th, 2019

In reading the New York Times groundbreaking 1619 Project my thoughts kept coming back to okra, particularly the few pints of okra that Stoneberry Farms has on their table alongside tomatillos and shishito peppers. Many associate okra with “Soul Food,” or African American cuisine, and constrain it to a narrowly-focused preparation: fried. But okra is not bound by borders — geographical, culinary, or otherwise. Brought here from West Africa on ships carrying enslaved Africans, it has been cultivated in the Americas since the 17th century and has become an indelible part of foodways throughout the hemisphere since then. Brazilians enjoy it in frango con quiabo. Trinidadians serve it with coconut rice. Southerners use it for both flavor and as a thickening agent in Creole gumbo and in the quintessential American dish, succotash. Okra is as American as apple pie and if we’re fortunate that one of our farms cultivates it, helping it gain a stronger foothold in our regional agricultural landscape. There is a limited amount so you know they go fast-gets yours early. Have a favorite recipe? Share it with us by snapping a pic, uploading it to Instagram or Facebook, and tagging us!

We all mourned the loss of Taiim and their rich array of hummus. Along with the smoked fish, it is the most requested product and we are delighted to announce that True Food has created a special Green Goddess hummus for our Market shoppers. Made with all organic ingredients, including chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, and lemon juice, it also incorporates organic local herbs from nearby farms including blue basil, cilantro, organic, garlic, chives, and scallions. It’s packed with a lot of flavor and nutrients and can be a great school/work lunch item to pack, along with cut up raw veggies and some slices of toasted bread. Try it with Wave Hill’s peasant bread.

While you’re at Wave Hill, pick up some of their limited-run mini blueberry croissants, made the last local blueberries.

Don’t forget to swing by the Market for Barre 3 Rivertowns FREE classes. They’re leading two 30 minute sessions of conditioning, cardio, and mindfulness at 10 and 11 am! Come prepared with a yoga mat and a water bottle, it’s going to be a beautiful, sunny morning!

See you at the Market!