Farmers Market Minute

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Mirliton Madness in Harvey Jul 21, 2012

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The Louisiana mirliton is disappearing. But, there is hope. In recent years, Lance Hill has become an unexpected mirliton midwife. He has assembled a fleet of farmers, backyard growers, and foragers to search for and propagate disappearing heirloom varieties of this unique vining, chayote squash. They scour farmers markets, garage roofs, storm fences and other places where fruit can still be found. I just viewed video footage of an incredible mirliton orchard in Harvey. West Bank micro-farmer Leo Jones has taken over one city block for trellising mirlitons. It supports a canopy of 300 shoots. Thanks to Lances efforts, this huge concentration of mirlitons will seed future gardens. Click here to see the video footage yourself . For the Farmers Market Minute, this is Richard McCarthy.

Celebrate Bastille Day Jul 14, 2012

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Today is Bastille Day. In celebration, head over to the West Bank. You can drive on an avenue named for a French head of State, Charles De Gaulle. He actually visited New Orleans in 1960. And while you are there, why not pop over to the Gretna Farmers Market to purchase a bottle of Henry Amatos orange wine. With it, you can prepare a refreshing French cocktail in honor of the occasion. Heres what you need: four ounces of Amatos wine, two ounces of NOLA dark rum, six cubes of ice, one ounce of vanilla simple syrup, and one ounce of lemon juice. In a cocktail shaker, add all liquid ingredients and shake vigorously for fourteen seconds. No more, no less. Pour into two highball glasses with ice. Serves two. Heres to the revolution! For the WWNO Farmers Market Minute, this is Richard McCarthy.

Grilling Fruit Jul 07, 2012

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If your holiday barbecue embers are still glowing with heat, consider joining the throng of chefs who have discovered the joys of grilling fruit. A decade ago, it was exciting to simply taste savory salads that feature watermelon, peaches and figs. Today, that seems pedestrian. I marvel at how chefs are finding ways to grill summer fruit and how to pair them. Among the surprises is grilled watermelon. Its a thing of beauty to see melon etched with grill marks. Imagine the sweet, liquid smoke of watermelon juice atop a green salad or served with grilled meat or cheeses. While figs and pork are often paired together, charbroiled figs take tenderloin dishes to an entirely different level. Whichever fruit you choose, grill in volume. The more healthy, summer fruit you consume, the better. For the WWNO Farmers Market Minute, this is Richard McCarthy.

Louisiana Cantaloupe Jun 30, 2012

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This time of year, all eyes are on watermelons, and for good reason: local farmers grow stars and stripe melons just in time for the July 4th weekend. This year, melon fans should be especially grateful for the spring drought. It has yielded an expectedly good run of cantaloupes and musk melons. Annually, local farmers battle overwhelming humidity and regular showers to grow these delicate orange flesh melons, but this year is different. Just ask Garyville farmer Christine Monica. Her family farms in the sandy River soils of St. John Parish, and this year it’s cantaloupe country . Last week, she sold two trucks worth of musk melons at the side of the road in just two days. So, the next time you curse the drought, be thankful for it bearing fruit: memorable Louisiana cantaloupes. For the Farmers Market Minute, this is Richard McCarthy.

Eat Local Challenge Jun 09, 2012

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Each year, food system solutionaries attempt to eat within 200 miles of New Orleans as part of the Eat Local Challenge . This is a marvelously interactive addition to our local food revolution. However, the Challenge triggers deeper questions about local self-reliance. While you may find Louisiana rice on sale, why is it you dont find local rice vinegar? Rice wine or rice syrup? The same could be said of pecans and sugar. This raises questions about economic development priorities at the state level. For example, I marvel at the ingenuity of farmer Henry Amato, who processes Ponchatoula strawberries for Abitas strawberry ale. But, consider the entire bottle of beer. Which other ingredients could be grown and processed here? This is where you, the consumer, come in. Talk to farmers. Make your voice heard. For WWNO, this is Richard McCarthy.

Cookbook Swap at the Farmers Market Jun 02, 2012

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With farmers market tables piled high, watch the produce fly. These are peak season weeks crying out for fun in the kitchen. But, if the fresh aroma of peaches, blueberries and basil is not enough to inspire you to cook, consider next Saturdays annual cookbook swap. Bring a book, take a book. If you tire of old recipes, seek inspiration from other, published voices. So, scan your bookshelves for cookbooks in need of new homes. Bring them to the Crescent City Farmers Market and pick up a few new finds. One year, I snagged this amazing Catalan cookbook that introduced me to Romesco sauce for the first time. During the height of pepper season, I cant live without it. Another year, I landed a signed copy of a noted chefs cookbook. Out with the old, and in with someone elses old. In your kitchen, make it new.

Eula Mae Doré May 26, 2012

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At the Saturday morning market in the New Orleans Warehouse District, festivities centered around the launch of the 2012 wooden token. At market, this is how shoppers convert plastic credit and debit currencies into market money. Last year, the market converted almost $400,000 in wooden coins.

A blossom in hand… May 19, 2012

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I noticed this morning at market a most welcome site: squash blossoms for sale. I dont know whether you grow vegetables. I do. Well, let me correct myself: I try to. Mostly, I seem to raise snails. Yes, I too have tried to grow squash. Unfortunately, the squash borers appear to be in cahoots with my snails. They eat them before I can. SO, heres the rub. Since winter never showed up this year, all gardeners face more bugs than usual this spring. Follow the farmers lead: A squash blossom in hand is worth more than fruit on the bush. Just ask chef Alon Shaya at Domenica. He deep fries blossoms ever so lightly, stuffed with cheese. Or you can roast them in your oven at home. Drizzle olive oil, salt, pepper and stuff with cubes of Bill Ryals feta cheese. Delicious! For the WWNO, this is Richard McCarthy.

Mother’s Day at the farmers market May 12, 2012

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I spoke with several mothers today at this mornings markets. In each case, the women are farmwives managing, or having just managed, to look after ailing husbands.

Mayhaw Apr 28, 2012

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Are you familiar with a traditional food thats just come into season: Mayhaw. It is so named for May Day, its peak season. According to mayhaw mythology, this wild, apple-like cousin of the hawthorn tree thrives in swampy coastal Louisiana and Texas. The fruit is often harvested heroically by young foragers riding pirogues. After battling water snakes and mosquitos, they deliver enough mayhaw for grandmothers to cook up jelly and syrup to last the year. But, with the mayhaws native habitat increasingly endangered, will this traditional Southern flavor disappear? Heres where you come in: Ask for mayhaw fruit and products at farmers markets. Serve it to friends and family; and to those who have the power to preserve coastal wetlands, vocalize your desire to protect our taste of place. For the WWNO Farmers Market Minute, this is Richard McCarthy.

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