local produce

Whatever you choose to call it – canning, preserving, putting up – I’m into it. I used to be pretty intimidated by the idea of preserving food, it just seemed so, well…domesticated. So, I started out with one of the easiest things you can make: applesauce. It made me feel like, okay, wow. I did it. I didn’t realize how easy it was going to be, clearly! Then, later I moved onto jams, jellies, tomatoes and pickles. For the last few years, I’ve made some pretty darn good fig jam. I sold a boatload of it last year and didn’t save any for myself. That’s not gonna happen this year. I’ve already hoarded some… Read More

Oh, say it ain’t so…This just may be the last week or two of local strawberries and rhubarb at the farmers market. I highly recommend getting the rhubarb from Gardeners Gourmet (the folks with the lovely salad greens, herbs, cabbage and radishes…) and the strawberries from the“pea man” Thomas McCarthy of Woodside Greenhouse. (And be sure to get some peas from Mr. McCarthy. They are the best and don’t last long!)

While I can still get strawberries and rhubarb, I’m making this! My chickens will be happy – they love strawberry hulls more than anything… Read More

I love Waverly Farmers Market. It’s year round and I shop there every Saturday morning, buying everything from milk and cheese to meat, bread, eggs, potatoes, greens and more.

But…when spring rolls around, it’s lots more fun. Sorta like payback for being a faithful market shopper. You see more familiar faces and you can tell what month it is based on what’s at the farmers’ booths. Here in Maryland, shortly we’ll start seeing asparagus, strawberries, peas, radishes, blueberries. Then later, squash, corn, tomatoes, melons and so much more in between. Cannot wait. I can taste the fresh peas now.

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