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Berry picking was always a summer activity for me growing up. It was not going to local farms and paying to pick in manicured rows, but more like a scavenger hunt. My father would notice “a good patch” while fishing or someone would “secretly share” an abundant location. My mother then preserved our bounty in Balls and Masons to enjoy for the upcoming months. Shelves in our cellar resembled the jarred table at Wrights Farm, though we never topped ours with fabric bonnets and our labels were primitive. Seeing the currants at the market brings back these memories.
Currants are members of the gooseberry family which you’ll soon be seeing at the market also. They are known as “superfruits” for their naturally high antioxidant capacity due to the pigmented polyphenol, cyanidin, which is found in their skin. They are also a good supply of vitamins C and K, manganese and potassium.
Naturally high in pectin, the sweet-tart berry lends itself to sauce and jam or jelly, but can also be enjoyed fresh in salads, baking and garnishes.
Make this simple red currant jelly to enjoy with meat, cheese or bread.
Red Currant Clafoutis is another eggy, sweet and fluffy way to showcase your currants.
Pick up some lamb chops from R&M Farm and market herbs for these Grilled Lamb Cops in Red Currant and Rosemary Sauce.
Other CURRANT IFM things of note:
FarmEats BBQ now has Farm Eats Grass-fed Beef hotdogs on Wave Hill brioche buns, along with their pulled beef, pork and chicken sandwiches. Accent with Doc Pickle condiments and a side salad from Anthi’s Greek Specialties, Nutmeg Bakery and Cafe or Wild Radish, for a market picnic.
DoughNation is back with their new pizza truck. What will they create this week from the tents as their “market pie”?
Jody’s Kitchen has also returned from vacation. This week’s soups are Chilled Cucumber + Herbed Yogurt, Zucchini Vichyssoise and gazpacho. Grain Bowl choices are Quinoa, Lentils, Cherry Tomatoes, Olives w/ Caper Parsley Vinaigrette and Farro, Chickpeas, Corn, Arugula + String Beans w/ Lemon Basil Dressing.
It’s the 4th Sunday of the month so Matt with Ready Set Sharp is back to sharpen all your blades. Also Mama Lam’s returns with her Malaysian curry paste and hot sauce. These Curried Shrimp Salad Cucumber Bites sound like a perfect appetizer or could easily be served as a summer salad, with Pura Vida shrimp and market cucumbers.
A reminder that the wonderful volunteers of the village’s Green Policy Task Force are at the market most weekends to oversee the collection of compost and provide information to those who want to start composting at their own homes.
Finally, CONGRATULATIONS to Milton and his wife Ereni whose daughter Eva Elizabeth Rosenthal was born July 17th. He’ll be in the music tent this week so stop by with your Mazel Tovs.
