August is perfect for swimming… zucchini and popsicles!
Somehow it’s almost mid-August already, the J-months of summer have gone by in a flash and now only the dog-days are ahead of us. Already, vendors and I are chatting about how much we’re looking forward to the cool autumn air, but for now, I’m soaking up the last of the heat and trying to make sure I hit the one thing left on my summer bucket list: going swimming! The last time I was in the water was the Headless Horsemen Charity Plunge … in February. The Hudson River in winter was — to put it mildly — invigorating. (Anyone interested in a bit of charitable insanity should note that this is an annual tradition).
And while I actually remember that day fondly, I’m hoping for more of a dip-and-then-bask-in-the-sun vibe sometime soon. So drop by the market tent if you have ideas of where I should go — I’m partial to a lake, but will take any and all suggestions for favourite swim spots!
As for staying cool at the market, last Sunday we put up an audience tent next to the music and the seats filled up instantly. We’ll be doing the same for this week’s singer/songwriter/guitarist, Ben Hulbert, so grab something hydrating and delicious from our friends at Teagevity or Fairy Juice Bar, and have a seat in the shade while you decide what to eat for brunch/lunch. As you know - the options are endless at the IFM, from authentic crèpes at L'Escargot Voyageur, to bright Banh Mi chicken sandwiches from the Kinwich Food Truck, to kale salads from Wild Radish.
If you’re in the mood for something more unusual, Halal Pasture’s intriguing cucamelons are well worth a try — a small grape-sized fruit with a tangy refreshing taste, they’re perfect snacking material, and they’re adorable too!
From corn to eggplant to peppers and tomatoes and zucchini, all of summer's produce all-stars converge in the produce bins in August. Pick up some zucchini and fresh herbs from Madura or Titusville Farms and try this delicious and simple summer pasta— I made it for a friend the other night, and it was a big hit. Or make these delicious chicken zucchini meatballs with feta.
Of course such vegetal convergence calls for ratatouille, Alice Waters' in particular.
Or if you want eggplant to shine on its own, try this grilled eggplant finished with a drizzle of olive oil infused with garlic and jalapeno. Serve it with whipped Maplebrook feta and pita bread, or focaccia from Wave Hill Breads.
Speaking of bread...Shhh-our-Dough is taking a few weeks off this summer so we've invited Hudson Valley Breads to fill the void with their tangy, beautiful sourdough loaves. Please give them a warm Irvington welcome!
Also new: Le Roux Trading Co. will now be selling FRESH, not frozen, cuts of beef from Highland Hollow Farm. If you do buy some fresh beef, to throw on the grill, make sure to make a pitstop at Channery Hill Farm to find truly addictive farm-to-bottle condiments.
For a delicious and refreshing homemade dessert, try these peach melba popsicles. They mix raspberry sauce, peaches and vanilla ice cream into a spin on a creamsicle - sweet, sour, creamy, and oh-so festive.
And for those of you who aren’t feeling the urge to bake in August but are still craving a sweet baked treat, we’re delighted to have Red Barn Bakery at the IFM this Sunday. Randell will be bringing her ever-popular organic scones (she has a new blackberry scone I want to try), her savory tarts and sweet berry pies, and many of her gluten free options which I'm eager to peruse.
I’m hosting a small get-together this weekend and my plan is to dazzle people with farmers market goodies and then drag them outside to howl at the moon while they’re too full to resist me.
This weekend’s full moon is a Sturgeon Moon, named by the Algonquin people for the abundance of sturgeon caught during the month of August in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain. Most of us won’t be able to participate in our own harvests to that same level (though thankfully on this front we can outsource to Pura Vida Fisheries), but one of the things I love about the farmers market is how it connects us to place and season, to the passage of time. So look up at the moon this Saturday, before you come to hang with us this Sunday.
See you at the market!
