What's "big" at market?

Well.....

The Nolts have lots of sweet (!!!) corn, black cherries and melons on display, along with the various squash, tomatoes, and other fare. Joyce has her flavored angel food cakes and beautiful iced tea ring.

On the 18th, Weaverine Traditionals was at market, where Nancy Duffy will demonstrate and weave rag rugs once a month. She’ll be back again next month, on August 15th. On that day, anyone bringing in 6 old sheets (no jersey knits) gets a free rug (while supply lasts).

Over at the Sugar Flower & Cake Company, the cupcakes were delightful! Beehives w/bees, butterflies, and bouquets topped the treats, while boxes of muffins lined up beside them.

Prescott’s Patch had their own strawberries! In mid JULY! We are so lucky to have such delightful produce. Fingerling potatoes, patty pan squash, and red raspberries also played a starring role on their tables.

Grandma’s Kitchen featured lemon sponge pie, apple dumplings, and brownies with peanut butter. She had pretzels, too.

J&J Growers brought a full complement of hanging baskets. A favorite is the Mediterranean Vinca, a trailing plant that loves hot weather and full blazing hot sun! Other standouts were hostas and giant hibiscus.

Maryanne’s lampwork glass beads and various soaps were looking good at Lancaster County Soapworks. The Git Spritz is a top seller.

The Essential Herbal sold out of holy basil and passionflower tinctures, and the hand blended teas are a hit too.

The Sunflower Lady did indeed have beautiful sunflowers, amaranthus, stargazer lilies, and straw hats.

Hartz Farm had lots of summer squash, gourd art, and is beginning to branch out into wood work.

Creekside Produce brought a giant bucket of gladiolas along with their lettuce, onions, beets and other produce.

The Main Street Mount Joy table has the giant umbrellas for sale at $15 ($3 savings!) as well as tote bags, insulated coolers, and lots of information for the taking. Back issues of the newsletters are available there too!All the wonderful fresh and local produce is coming in now.

Here is a salad idea that's a little different that uses some of those luscious tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and basil:

Panzanella
3 T good olive oil
1 loaf French bread cut into 1-inch cubes (6 cups)
1 t kosher salt
2 large, ripe tomatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 cucumber, unpeeled, seeded, and sliced 1/2-inch thick
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 small red onion, cut in 1/2 and thinly sliced
10—15 large basil leaves, coarsely chopped
3 T capers, drained (you can skip them, but I like their flavor)
1 small can jumbo black olives, drained

Heat the oil in a large sauté pan. Add bread and salt; cook over low to medium heat, tossing frequently, for 10 minutes, or until nicely browned. Add more oil as needed. In a large bowl, mix tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper, yellow pepper, red onion, basil, olives and capers. Add bread cubes.
Mustard Vinaigrette
Whisk together :
1 t finely minced garlic
1/2 t Dijon mustard
3 T White wine vinegar
1/2 C olive oil
1/2 t kosher salt
1/4 t freshly ground black pepper
drizzle over the salad, toss and allow it set for about half an hour for the flavors to develop.

Did you know that you can find many local experts on hand at Market? It’s true!

Several of the growers would be more than happy to help out with advice for your own garden. When I lamented over the small size of my garden to Steve at Prescott’s Patch, his reply was, ‘Anything is good! At least you’re doing something—do what you can.”

Of course the Main Street Mount Joy booth can give you information on what’s happening around town.

J & J growers wants to be sure your plants grow as they should, and Tina and Maryanne at the soap and herb booth can help you with herbal questions.

One of the great benefits of buying and eating locally is that you can talk to the people who grow and make what you are buying.

Take advantage of that benefit and talk to your neighbors!
You never know who you’ll see at market!

Do something good for yourself, your family and your community... Come out to market this week! It's a fun way to spend a Saturday morning.