Shopping the Owosso Farmers Market in JuneBy Denise Davidson, Owosso, Michigan June at the Owosso Farm Market yields many delicious special treats in the produce department. Fresh asparagus spears, green onions, succulent spinach and beautiful varieties of lettuce flourish from warm Spring rains. Soon to arrive are juicy ripe strawberries, ready to eat fresh, to freeze or process into jams and jellies. Asparagus is available at the market all through May and into June. Choose spears with tightly closed top buds and stalks ½ inch to ¾ inch around. These are the most tender. Refrigerate asparagus, upright, standing in an inch of water until ready to use. This sweet delicacy is best served when cooked tender, yet crisp, and topped with a pat of sweet butter. Lettuce loves cool Spring weather and will yield bountiful beds if planted early. Lettuce is available at the market all season. You will find sweet fresh mixed lettuce varieties in shades of green to red. There are Boston, Bibb, Buttercrunch, Oak leaf, Romaine and many other varieties of loose leaf lettuce to choose from. Often times these mixed varieties will offer up to 10 different types of lettuce with a delicate and delicious range of flavors. Look for crisp firm leaves and be sure to refrigerate as soon as possible. A small cooler in your car will keep your produce fresh until you get home. Please remember not to let ice touch your produce though, as it will damage the areas in contact & cause them to rot quickly. Fresh market lettuce will keep up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator. A simple salad of lettuce greens may be topped with grape cherry tomatoes, sweet onion, cucumbers, boiled egg slices and small wedges of a baked red potato. Top with your favorite salad dressing. This makes for a perfect lunch plate served with a slice of warm garlic bread or baguette. Organic & non organic mixed lettuce is available at the market all season. Spinach also thrives in cool Spring weather. During warmer months it will bolt quickly, leaving you with a long wait until next year. Buy your spinach while it lasts, as the season is relatively short. Spinach at the Owosso Farm market is tender, succulent and crisp, unlike what is commercially grown. It is very perishable and does not travel well, the reason commercial growers raise tougher varieties. Local Spinach need only travel through Shiawassee county to get to the Owosso farm market. Dark green succulent leaves abound in cool Spring weather, making them perfect for fresh salads. Spinach is also delicious steamed or blanched and used in your favorite recipes. Make your visits to your local farm market regularly to experience many unique items throughout the season. You will find fresh farm eggs, pure maple syrup, Sweet honey, Specialty mustards & Horseradish, Navy beans, Specialty beans, Baked goods, Jams & Jellies, Doggie biscuit treats, Dried & Fresh cut flowers along with Fresh & Dried Herbs. Produce is available organically and conventionally grown. Crafters items include handmade birdhouses, knitted & crocheted items, yard ornaments, handmade rag rugs, Hand painted china, Handcrafted Jewelry, Soaps & Handcrafted Furniture to carry home or made to order. There is also a huge assortment of plants for landscaping including trees and a nice assortment of ornamental shrubs. Perennial & Annual flowers are plentiful along with hanging baskets. There are many experienced vendors at the market to answer your questions regarding plants. Saturday mornings at the Owosso Farm Market are a pleasant way to begin your weekend fun. Experience the unique flavors of fresh Michigan produce at the market. See you there! Spinach and Strawberry Salad 5-7 ounces of fresh Spinach, torn into salad size pieces Combine spinach and strawberries in a large bowl. Mix the remaining ingredients together and pour over the spinach mixture. Toss lightly to combine. |
|
|
|
|