Last PT Wednesday Farmers Market Today and Fall is Here!
Welcome Autumn
It is official; autumn has arrived. So too has the fall produce. While a couple of our farm vendors miraculously had strawberries at market last Saturday, apples, pears, winter squash and leafy greens are replacing many summer crops as we head into the cooler, wetter fall months. If you needed a push from the elements, here it is.
Take advantage of the last of the summer tomatoes, melons and other treats now while they are still available from our local farms. Are you reluctant to say goodbye to tomatoes, tomatillos, peppers and other summer crops? Consider buying in bulk at our local farmers markets and preserving some of your favorite summer fruit and veggies by canning, dehydrating and freezing.
Today, we are celebrating the Season Closing of our Port Townsend Wednesday Farmers Market from 2pm to 6pm at the Jefferson Transit Haines Place Park and Ride. Join us for live music by Anne-O and Her Band as well as Corinne Adams and stock up on late summer treasures as well as fall crops. You can also find some tasty summer produce grown and preserved by Hopscotch Farm and Cannery, artisan bread and pastries from Pane d'Amore Artisan Bakery as well as yummy kombucha from BluJay.
Tomatillo Salsa
Here is a fun, playful recipe to try at home. You can replace tomatillos with tomatoes or use a mix. The number of peppers, onions, garlic cloves and tomatoes or tomatillos used can be adjusted every time you make this recipe based on what you bring home from the market or have available in your garden. This salsa is great as an enchilada sauce or enjoy it on chips or eggs. You can keep in in your fridge for up to a week or freeze it for a taste of summer this fall or winter.
Prep and cook time about 30 minutes.
Ingredients:
One pint of tomatillos or a combination of tomatillos and tomatoes, any variety
4-6 sweet peppers, stems and seeds removed
*Optional 2-4 spicy peppers (helpful hint-- cut one pepper in half and eat a seed to judge how hot they are before you decide how many to use.)
1 Onion, coarsely diced
4-8 Cloves garlic
1 Bunch of cilantro
About 2 tablespoons of your favorite cooking oil
Salt to taste
Juice of 2 limes
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 450F. Pour your cooking oil into the bottom of a large glass baking pan or cookie sheet. Peal the husk off of the tomatillos and wash all of your veggies. Remove the stems and seeds of your sweet peppers. If using, remove the stems but keep the seeds of your hot peppers. The heat is strongest in the seeds so you want to keep those if you like spicy salsa. Place the whole tomatillos, tomatoes, peppers as well as peeled garlic cloves and onion onto your baking sheet or pan. Use your hands to coat them in the cooking oil. Sprinkle all of the veggies with salt and place in the oven. Bake for about 20 minutes. The veggies will be slightly charred on top and juicy. Place the baking sheet/pan on the counter to cool for 10 minutes or longer. Once cool, put your roasted veggies as well as a full bunch of cilantro into a Cuisinart or blender. Add lime juice. Pulse or blend for 10-20 seconds, taste to see if you want more salt. Finish blending to the consistency you prefer.
From our vendors
Hopscotch Farm - It's the last Wednesday market and Meghan will have her full array of pickles, preserves, and relishes available. Be sure to stock up so you have plenty for winter (because what could be worse than running out of locally crafted pickles and preserves?). And don't forget - she is offering 10% off the purchase of 3 or more jars. Meghan will also have lots of bell peppers, chili peppers, melons and the first of the winter squash.
One Straw Ranch is excited to announce a new item: The Farm Pack Beef Box. This 30 lb box is sold at a discount over retail pricing and contains an assortment of steaks, a roast, ground beef, stir fry, sausages, stew meat, and other tasty beef cuts. Stop by the booth to pick up an informational flyer and place your order - a limited number of boxes are available. Boxes of ground beef (20 lb or 50 lb) are also available at a discount.
New Vendor
Blue Summer House, Anya Koultysheva, is joining the Port Townsend Saturday Farmers Market this weekend with hand-made linen produce bags, garden/art smocks, hand towels, and more. Born in Russia, Anya recently moved to Port Townsend. She has been sewing since childhood.
Last year, Anya started making things out of linen and fell in love with this fabric. Linen is not just beautiful, it has so many amazing qualities. Linen is natural, has anti-allergen and anti-bacterial properties, as well as acts as a natural sunblock. It is only becomes better and softer with time.
In addition to sewing, Anya creates her own designs. Come meet Anya and learn about why she loves linen this Saturday.
POP Club
Today is the final day of POP Club at the Port Townsend Wednesday Farmers Market. Our farmers market team will lead a fun with bubbles from 2:30 to 4:30pm for our Close of Wednesday Market Season POP Club.Also, visit the Chimacum Farmers Market on Sundays through the end of October for fun with POP Club!
Registration for kids five to 12 years old is still open. Kids of all ages are welcome to participate in POP Club. Registered kids get $2 for fresh fruit and veggies after they complete the week’s POP activities. Learn more at the farmers market info booth.
Upcoming Events
Today, Season Closing of the Port Townsend Wednesday Farmers Market, Haines Place Park and Ride, 2-6pm
2:30-4:30pm POP Club with JCFM
2-4pm Live music by Anne-O and Her Band
4-6pm Live music by Corinne Adams
Saturday, September 29th Port Townsend Farmers Market, 9-2pm, Tyler Street
10am-1:45pm Live music by Samara Jade and Tom Fenelosa
Sunday, September 30th, Chimacum Farmers Market, Chimacum Corner Farmstand, 10am-2pm
10:30am-12:30pm POP Club with JCFM
Saturday, October 6th, Port Townsend Farmers Market on Tyler Street, 9am-2pm and Give Jefferson Nonprofit Fair in the Port Townsend Community Center, 10am-2pm
Saturday, October 13th, Apple and Cider Day at the Port Townsend Farmers Market--part of the Olympic Peninsula Apple and Cider Festival, 9am-2pm, Tyler Street.
Chef demo with Arran Stark featuring local apples and cider
Tasting with Finnriver Cidery, Eaglemount Wine and Cider and Port Townsend Vineyards
Give Jefferson
On Saturday, October 6th, United Good Neighbors’ Annual Campaign, Give Jefferson, will be hosting a Nonprofit Fair. The fair will take place in the Port Townsend Community Center, immediately adjacent to the market. Check out the diverse landscape of Jefferson County nonprofit organizations! Over 50 local nonprofits will be represented, showcasing the fantastic work they do for our community. The Jefferson County Farmers Markets are one of the Give Jefferson beneficiaries for our food assistance matching programs. Visit the Nonprofit Fair to learn more about all of the great work nonprofit organizations do in our community.
New Sponsor Highlight
We are pleased to have the support of our new sponsor, A Fare Story. Have you seen some of the great photos we have been sharing with you recently via our newsletter and Facebook? Many of these are by Rod Just and Naomi Jade of A Fare Story. Learn more about their mission to support and celebrate our vibrant community through photography and social media outreach. Thank you to A Fare Story and to all of our sponsors for supporting our vibrant farmers markets.
See you at the Market! Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. ~ Amanda
Photo by A Fare Story. Fall produce is here!