Dog Days of Summer | July 15, 2019

Fresh & Local:

Dog Days of Summer

If you haven’t noticed yet, summer is upon us - the “dog days” are here. With temps reaching three digits, make sure you come to market with sunscreen on and a bottle of water - and if you forget, we've got them at the welcome tent. The hot weather makes now the perfect time to treat yourself to a refreshing popsicle (we love the citrus cream) or ice cold blueberry lemonade from Blue Tara Blueberry Farm (Uptown, Bywater, and Bucktown), a popsicle, fresh juice or our favorite, a perfectly delicious and refreshing peach lemonade with plenty of peachy pulp from Amanda’s Frozen Fruit (Uptown, Downtown), refreshing and vibrantly hued hibiscus beverages from CitroNOLA (Ochsner) or put a little pep in your step with an iced coffee or tea from Parish Coffee (Bucktown).

Not only is it the perfect time to enjoy your favorite summer market treats, but the hot Louisiana sun brings some of our favorite produce of the year. You can find sweet watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, peaches and figs, plus, okra, a plethora of sweet and hot peppers, summer squash, eggplant, creole tomatoes, cucumbers and tender and toothsome fresh peas and beans. Grab some grass-fed steaks from Our Family Farm (Mid-City and Downtown) or Gonsoulin Land and Cattle (Uptown, Bywater, and Bucktown) or some fresh handmade bratwurst, Italian or green onion sausage from his grandmother’s recipe at Varnio’s Italian Sausage (Uptown, Ochsner, Bucktown, and Rivertown) and you got yourself a cook-out. Happy summer folks, stay hydrated!

P.S. Regarding Barry, while some of our vendors live in affected parishes and were evacuated last week ahead of the storm, everyone fared well and no flooding or extensive damage has been reported within our network - just some power outages and downed branches here and there. Vendors appreciate your concern and will see you on Tuesday!

Picks of the Week:

Stop and Smell the Flowers

“My husband read an article that was put out by LSU, and he read about the market. He said, ‘We have to try this.’ I said, ‘You can try it. I don’t want to do it.’ I didn't like driving in New Orleans. I’m a country girl, and I would just have nightmares about crossing the river and getting lost on all the bridges. My husband started coming with me, and I got used to it and it wasn’t so bad. [laughs] The nightmares stopped, too… As the years went by, I started to get to know people at the market. I’m at the point where I’ve been doing this for years, and I like selling my product, but I also like talking to the people. I love the friendship. I don’t have to push the product as much as I did because now we are well established. I don’t have to stop people and tell them this is the best catfish because they know. I really enjoy just talking to the people now. It’s a good social life. By the time we finish work at home, we’re too tired to go out and stuff, so coming to the market is really part of my social life. I’ve got to meet great people. I was just saying the other day, ‘You know, there are really great people that shop at the market.’”

Your Seafood is Safe to Eat at CCFM

You know what isn’t cool? Algae blooms. But don’t worry too much, you can rest assured that any seafood you buy at Crescent City Farmers Market has two thumbs up. While catching seafood is no easy task these days with the storms, open spillway, and algae blooms, it’s happening. Our fisher folk are spending their days (and nights) chasing the sea-life - sometimes in the gulf, sometimes in the nearby marshes or islands - to avoid dead zones. Resident vendor and fisherman Pete Gerica says “Where the algae is, there is no oxygen and therefore no sea-life, so we have no reason to fish there. Crabs, fish, and shrimp would die. Instead we are moving with the winds and staying connected with the Department of Health and Hospitals.” Our seafood undergoes regular testing and our fisher folk know, when in doubt - throw it out. Mrs. Fonseca of Des Allemands Outlaw Katfish confirms they are not affected at all, because they always fish on the west side of the river. Seafood may be limited at the moment, but you can trust your purchase with our expert vendors at CCFM!

Vendor of the Week:

Amanda’s Frozen Fruit Bars

Whether you visit this market stand for incredible juices with the perfect balance of pulp, or for the multitude of amazing all-fruit popsicles, Amanda’s Frozen Fruit Bars has got you covered. Check out her vibrant turmeric lemonade, a powerful orange concoction that’s not only delicious, but infused with (local) turmeric, a medicinal root known for its anti-inflammatory properties and used for arthritis, heartburn, water retention, healing, stomach pain - the list of applications goes on and on. Kids might insist on the avocado cream popsicle, but don’t leave this table without trying the pineapple, orange and strawberry juice, or her seasonal fruit-filled lemonades, strawberry in spring and peach in summer. Always made from local ingredients when available, find her at our Tuesday or Saturday CBD markets.

Tuesday’s Green Plate Special:

Casa Borrega

Ay, Dios Mío! Casa Borrega is back at it again! Our friends at Casa Borrega will be serving your favorite authentic Mexican foods for the remaining Tuesdays of July. Stop by the Green Plate Special tent at the Uptown market from 9am to 1pm for your fill of tacos, tostadas, tortas and more! Deliciosa!

Recipe of the Week:

Summer Peach Gazpacho

Gazpacho, a spanish-style soup served cold, is the perfect summer recipe to prepare at home for yourself, or to impress your friends. Try this version from Taste of Home featuring peaches, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and onions - all ingredients available fresh from the market.

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!