Painted Goat Chèvre is BACK…and the magic of Elderberry!
dear shoppers, If you're like me, you've got one foot in winter and one foot in spring. Yesterday's frigid temps had me roasting parsnips and potatoes for dinner. But my mouth is craving all the delicate greens that come with it.
And, if you ARE like me, you get to feeling a little "punk" with the change of season as your body adjusts to time changes and erratic temperatures. That's when I drop some of Honey Locust Farmhouse's Elderberry Elixir on top of ice cream or Sohha yogurt (it's not savory, but it's got a slightly bitter edge), in my morning O.J. (or evening cocktail). Full of flavonoids, elderberry has long been credited for curing the common cold, clearing up sinuses and when applied directly to the skin, for healing wounds.
Honey Locust Farmhouse will have plenty on hand tomorrow, as well as her delicate honey and her first precious greens of the season.
Perfect timing: Painted Goat Farm is bringing their first batch of FRESH goat cheese of the season. I see a spinach, goat cheese salad in my future (with roasted Tierra walnuts and caramelized Healthway onions).
Painted Goat cheese-makers Ilyssa Berg and Javier Flores moved upstate in 2006 with a tent, a chainsaw and a dream. They were soon joined by 39 pregnant goats. You can read about their cheese-making journey in this profile of the couple.
This is a good time to clean out your pantry and cupboards and replace your faded spices: Spice Revolution Check out This Week's Recipe for Spring Pea Falafel with Marinated Radishes and Minted Yogurt that calls for lots of spices - as well as market honey, yogurt and herbs.
In honor of Holi, India's festival celebrating spring, which lands on March 17 this year, Samosa Shack will be bringing an agave cardamom lassi, and a basil, cumin, and turmeric infused savory lassi, both made with artisanal Indian yogurt. Holi, also known as the festival of colors, is a raucous event in India that symbolizes the triumph of spring over winter and of good over evil. For many it is considered a day to repair ruptured relationships, to forgive and forget.
And speaking of new beginnings...
I know all of you have come to love Raghoo Farms and their wonderful chicken. I am very sorry to say that due to health reasons Anand Raghoo has decided to move to warmer climes and give up the difficult life of farming in New York.
It's always hard when a vendor we love leaves, but as I keep reminding myself, everything about farmer's markets is "organic." Just as the produce and fruit change with the seasons, so, too, does our market keep reinventing itself. And, just as we came to love Anand and his gorgeous eggs and spatchcock chicken, we will embrace another chicken farmer again.
Until then, I know you all join me in wishing Anand and his family a very happy HOLI.
See you at the market!
Pascale