Buy Pie and make Irish Stew

k, we’re usually not ones to revel in holidays like Pi Day and St. Paddy’s....but this week’s sunshine has made us giddy. And the state of the world makes us look for any excuse to celebrate.

So, yes Saturday is actually Pi Day, the day math nerds everywhere recognize the mathematical constant pi. This is the best reason to pick up a chicken pot pie from Letterbox Farm this week and enjoy it with spicy salad greens from Obercreek Farm, or some of those baby red leaf lettuces from Halal Pastures. Why not make a pie from scratch  on Saturday afternoon when the temps will have dropped again, using apples from the Orchards of Concklin?

Or, if time is an issue, Noble Pies is here with their many pie offerings. It’s nice that they offer smaller size pies, too,  so that there are no leftovers  to pick at the next day, or, so that you can try two flavors instead of just one.

Whether you bake it or buy it, you can go crazy and make it à la mode, with some Unofficial Ice Cream. Abby’s flavors change every week, and this Saturday include: brown sugar toasted rice ice cream; roasted strawberry ice cream and grapefruit thyme sorbet.  This week, Abby is bringing back scoops and introducing toppings. Knowing Abby, they will not disappoint. Yes, Abby’s  ice cream is expensive, but so are the ingredients she selects, and you can’t beat her creativity. 

You might need a little creativity in the kitchen right now as we’re in that in-between stage: winter squash are making their exit,  but it’s still too early for spring produce and the tunnel offerings are scant. Remember, patience is a virtue. And there’s always cabbage!

Consider this recipe for roast cabbage steaks. Head straight to Titusville for your cabbage (they’ll also have their final harvest of kale, (with kale rabe still attached and lots of carrots and potatoes which you’ll need for your stew recipes below). While you’re under their warm orange tents, ask about their new CSA.

You’re on your own for goat cheese this week: Sugar Shack Creamery has the best excuse for missing the market: their mama goats are kidding this weekend. No they are not doing standup, though they do stand while giving birth. Sugar Shack will be back by the next market with fresh goat milk on offer. 

If you’re considering making Irish Stew for St. Patrick’s Day, make it a David Tanis stew, won’t you? Ryan will have plenty of lamb stew meat. Or, if you prefer beef to lamb, try this: traditional stew, rife with cabbage.

This week, we are thrilled to introduce a guest herbal tea vendor, American Herbal Tea Co. Alexandra Maniglia believes in the power of a perfect cup of herbal tea to work miracles on your health and psyche. She sources her tea blends from organic farms in Vermont.  Please give her a warm Hastings welcome.

And Saturday also marks the return of Villa Emilia empanadas. Did you know they also sell traditional gaucho knives with wooden handles from Argentina. Just the thing to make a clean cut to those leggy stems of tulips from Thousand Leaf Garden Farms. They promise to bring more of those astounding tulips on Saturday. Did you know that they offer a flower CSA? You get 12 bouquets throughout the growing season for $300. You get to pick the days you pick up your bouquet at the market so you can plan around dinner parties, houseguests, birthdays etc. Brilliant! Find out more at thousandleafgardens.com

Tomorrow, March 13,  is the deadline to vote for HFM as the best Farmers Market in Westchester. You can do so here here. (Tired of being the bridesmaid, folks). And, while you’re at it, please support the many other Hastings businesses on the ballot.

Once you’ve voted, put your knives and pruning shears by the front door or, better yet, in your car, lest you forget them, because Matt, our trusty knife sharpener is back this week.

Everyone at the Hastings Farmers Market joins me in bidding farewell to In2Green, the store, which is closing its doors this weekend. I know many of our shoppers overlapped and enjoyed popping in after the market to admire their beautiful curation but also to say hi to Deirdre, who always had the best advice. Silver linings? Deirdre won’t have to rush at the market on Saturday mornings to go open the store. Make sure to pop in this weekend and say goodbye.

See you at the market!