Summertime and the Livin’s Easy | July 1, 2019

Fresh & Local:

Summertime and the Livin’s Easy

Unpopular opinion: summer is the best season of the year here in the Big Easy. We’re cooling off and hydrating up with the best fruit Louisiana has to offer. Sweet, tangy peaches, tender cantaloupe and honeydew, and watermelon so juicy you can’t help but drip down your shirt. And the fun doesn’t stop there-- peppers, corn, eggplant, summer squash, cucumbers, and oh boy the tomatoes, okurrr. Our fridges and countertops are overflowing with tasty things to snack on at all hours of the day. And you know what else? Everything is grillable. Too hot to turn on your stove? That’s fine, fire up the grill, whip up a festive sauce, and dinner practically makes itself. Grass-fed steaks from Gonsoulin or Our Family Farm, corn on the cob elotes style, blistered shishito peppers, and grilled peaches for dessert.

Picks of the Week:

Stop and Smell the Flowers

“My grandpa started out the dairy, and my dad helped him before he got his own place. Me and my husband went back in ‘93. Milk prices were so bad, we started doing this part of it instead and making cheese. Family is so important at the dairy. I have two grandsons. One likes the milking part, and the other likes the cheese making part, and then they both come to the market with us. Growing up, I had to work, had to milk, before school, after school, the whole nine yards. We’ve done it all our lives. I always tell customers, text me, put your boots on, and come to the farm. Come watch, come help out. Every kid that grows up needs to work on a dairy farm for at least two weeks to learn and really see what it's like and the kind of work it is. It’s a lot of hard work.”

Double Your WIC FMNP Coupons!

Each year, WIC offices distribute a limited number of Farmers Market Nutrition Program coupons. Similar to the program for seniors, these coupons come in booklets containing $20 worth of coupons to be spent like checks on fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs with certified local farmers. This year, as part of our efforts to increase affordability of fresh, local foods for all families, we are offering to match these coupons. WIC recipients may spend their $20 coupons with our vendors and then we will provide an extra $20 in vouchers to be spent on fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Contact your local WIC office for more information, and stop by the welcome tent to pick up your $20 match now through August 31st!

Market Closed - Happy 4th!

It’s time to get your red peppers, white squash, and bluebs together folks! The fourth is just around the corner and markets are loaded with treats to keep you cool and goodies for the grill. Stop by the Uptown, Ochsner, and Bywater markets to make your groceries ahead of time because the Thursday, Mid-City market will be closed for the holiday. Just a reminder to those of you shopping with Ms. Chauvin at the Tuesday market, Blue Ribbon Pies is taking orders for delicious, seasonal strawberry and blueberry patriotic flag pies. To reserve one for yourself call her ASAP! (985) 320-1188.

Enjoy your 4th of July! Markets will resume at the Bucktown market on Friday, July 5th.

Vendor of the Week:

Spicy Lady

If you ever need the perfect spice mix or high quality seasoning, we know the place to go. Cheryl, the Spicy Lady herself, has been selling spices with CCFM for about __ years. All of her spices are non-GMO, salt-free, sugar-free and gluten-free. In addition to spices, you’ll find infused olive oils, flavored chocolates and dips, and the occasional keto-friendly dessert at this vendor’s stand. You can catch Spicy Lady or her son, Chris (Spicy Boy) at our Uptown, Bucktown, and Downtown markets.

Tuesday’s Green Plate Special:

Kinoko

We liked her light, vegan sushi so much, she’s back for an encore. Sticking around for the first two weeks of July will be Chef Kelseay Dukae and her sushi pop-up Kinoko. Offering a creative and healthy take on sushi, using ingredients such as jackfruit for “sneauxcrab” for her spin on the traditional crunchy roll, Chef Dukae was recently a contestant on the Fox Network show Masterchef, owned a health food concept and ran a sushi bar here in the city. We look forward to two more weeks and another chance to enjoy the Creole Roll. Just what you need on a hot summer day.

Casa Borrega will join the market for the last three weeks of July.

Recipe of the Week:

Veggie Kebabs

Add some local flavor to your Fourth of July cookout with this recipe for veggie kabobs from Country Living. Grilled in-season zucchini and squash alongside a flavorful lemon vinaigrette make a delicious and healthy side dish that will steal the show at any summer barbeque.

What’s your favorite dish to make after visiting the Crescent City Farmers Market? Share your recipes with us on Instagram or Facebook or even Twitter and it might be featured in our weekly newsletter!