Tag Archives: Spinach

Local Farmers providing Fresh Lettuce, Spinach and other Vegetables this Winter!

December 30, 2013

Fresh lettuce from the Norton Family Farm

Salads are a summer treat, right? So how can there be fresh picked lettuce and spinach at the Franklin Farmers Market on a cold winter’s day? Just ask the market’s reigning lettuce master, Jim Norton. This past Saturday at the market, it was cold. Very cold. But the Norton Family Farm had beautiful tasty lettuce and spinach. How was that possible?

Norton Farm’s tender fresh spinach

You can find lettuce and spinach from the Norton farm practically year-round at the market because of the loose-leaf varieties of lettuce and spinach that Jim plants in succession and the use of hoop houses and row covers to protect the lettuce crops from weather and insects. So even though we’ve had plenty of cold days this December, the Norton lettuce and spinach crop continues to thrive.

There were also plenty of winter veggies at the market this past Saturday too, such as winter squash, sweet ‘taters and Brussels sprouts.

Winter Squash

Delvin Farm’s cabbage

Winter veggies from Paradise Produce Farm

Checking out the vegetables from Pilgrim’s Produce

A wide variety of winter veggies to choose from

Freshly baked!

Soups from Lucy’s Kitchen

Lots of yummy jellies from the Norton Family Farm

Tasty Brussels sprouts at the Franklin Farmers Market

Put some green in your diet!

The market’s “Eating in Season” cookbook

Eating vegetables year round is a healthy way to stay in shape. But maybe you are not quite sure what to do with a bunch of beets or a head of cabbage. You can find an easy solution to fixing meals with winter vegetables at the market. Pick up a copy of the FFM’s cookbook, “Eating in Season”. It has recipes for each season of the year. Let’s say that you picked up a turnip at the market but were not quite sure what to do with it in the kitchen. The Eating in Season cookbook has a recipe for Baked Turnip Fries that will leave you begging for more. You can pick up a copy of the Eating in Season cookbook through the winter season at the Norton Family Farm booth. It’s just $15 (plus tax) and it can make every meal, year-round delicious.

Lots of goodies from Lucy’s Kitchen

On this Wednesday, we say goodbye to 2013 and hello to the New Year. And with the new year, come a couple of changes at the Franklin Farmers Market. Starting January 4^th, dogs will no longer be allowed at the market, so please leave your pets at home when visiting the market. Secondly, the market’s winter hours will change. As of January 4^th, the Franklin Farmers Market will begin opening at 9am and close at noon. Those hours will remain in place until the start of the spring/summer season at the market.

As we close out this year, the farmers and the vendors at the Franklin Farmers Market want to express their appreciation to everyone who came to the market and made 2013 a record-breaking successful year. We are very grateful for your support of local farms. Thank you!

Tom the Barn Wood Sign Guy’s unique creations

Antlers natural treats for your four-legged friends

Loading up on a great variety of freshly baked breads from Jones Mill Farms

Christmas Shoppers buy up Winter Greens, Baked Goods and Artisan Crafts

December 23, 2013

Leave a comment

Beautiful fresh produce from Paradise Produce

With the extremely windy weather, it’s a thousand wonders that spinach and other winter greens were not flying across the shed at the Franklin Farmers Market this past Saturday. It was a challenge for the farmers and artisans to get their booths set up and ready to go without blowing across the parking lot, but it was worth it as many people came out to do the last minute shopping for Christmas.

Lots of bundles of carrots and radishes, along with spinach, green onions and garlic were picked up to prepare special holiday dishes.

Sweet Tennessee Carrots from Paradise Produce

Fresh picked Green Onions from Gardner Grove

Organic Garlic, Radishes and Spinach from Delvin Farms

New Stone Ground Cornmeal and Grits from Beaverdam Creek Farm

And Beaverdam Creek Farm’s new stone-ground cornmeal and grits were very popular items too. Then there were all of the absolutely delicious baked goods. Flying S Farm special decorated holiday cookies were a big hit. So was the incredible Polish bread and Stollen from Jones Mill Farm and the special sweet pastries from Lucy’s Kitchen.

Fresh baked muffins from Lucy’s Kitchen…Hi Lucy!

Flying S Farms’ home baked Christmas Cookies

Lots of stocking stuffers were snatched up too, like the Totty’s Bend Farm Goat Soap and Creekbend Herbs lavender sachets. The beautiful jewelry from Rockin’ Robin was also picked up by many.

Totty’s Bend Goat Milk Soap

Hand made artisan jewelry from Baya Designs

Beautiful beaded necklaces from Rockin’ Robin

Soy candles in recycled hand cut wine bottles

Miniatures by Philip

Custom made signs from Tom the Barn Wood Sign Guy

Elevated Gardens for small and large places

Handcrafted artisan jewelry from Antlers

Wooden kitchen cutting boards from Cody’s Woodworks

Several people stopped by the info booth to ask what name has been given to the little calf at Triple L Ranch. He’s still without a name, but you can change that. Take a look at the top seven names chosen for the little fellow and vote for your favorite. We’ll announce the winning name for the calf on January 19^th, so vote for his new name now by clicking here.

Local customer picking up their final CSA for 2013

And for those of you asking if we are taking off the weekend after Christmas and before New Year’s Eve, the answer is no. The Franklin Farmers Market will be open this upcoming Saturday and every Saturday throughout the winter (and summer!) for you. The only change will be the winter market hours in 2014. Saturday December 28^th, the market will be open 8am – noon. In January, the winter market hours will change to 9am –noon.

Despite the windy weather, this past Saturday was a good day at the market. But perhaps the best thing of all was the many holiday hugs and Christmas greetings, making it a very special day. From our family to yours, we wish a very Merry Christmas!

Santa visits Children and Shops for Farm Fresh Vegetables

December 16, 2013

Leave a comment

Fresh cabbage and garlic from Delvin Farms

From beets to carrots and sweet potatoes to spinach, there were plenty of winter veggies at the Franklin Farmers Market this past Saturday and people were stocking up for the big Christmas dinner.

Tasty winter greens from Zadock the Natural Farmer

You don’t have beets at Christmas? Why not? The winter veggies along with the meats and baked goods at the market can make your holiday meals a tasty present for your taste buds. For example, if you had picked up some beets, spinach, garlic, bacon and goat cheese while at the market, you could have created a roasted beet salad that is a true treat. We’re giving you a second chance.

The market’s “Eating in Season” cookbook is a great stocking stuffer for your favorite chef!

Click here to get that recipe and then make your shopping list for the market.

There was also a lot of shopping for presents at the market too.

Gifts such as beautiful jewelry from Baya Designs and Lovely Beads by Brenda; great barn wood holiday signs from Tom the Barn Wood Sign Guy and cute little “animal” purses made from felted wool sweaters along with stuffed ‘creatures’ from Upcycled Accessories could be found at the market on Saturday.

Lovely Beads by Brenda

Find unique gifts at the FFM

Tom the Barn Wood Sign Guy knows how to get Santa’s attention.

Unique jewelry from Baya Designs.

Expertly crafted gifts from Mark Alan Artisan Woods

There were also great stocking stuffers such as lavender sachets from Creekbend Herbs. You could have even bought a garden! Elevation Gardens’ whiskey barrel garden container with 10 different herbs would have made a terrific present for the green thumb or the chef in your family.

The Whiskey Barrel Herb Garden is perfect for the chef in the family.

Candles by Intoxicating Aromas

Gift certificates available from Peaceful Pastures

Beautifully detailed Miniatures by Philip

Enjoy organic grits from Beaverdam Creek Farm

Dogs love presents from Antlers!

Smile! It was a jolly good time with Santa.

It’s not too late to get the perfect gift, but time is running out. Get the Santa list together and head to the market. December 21^st is the last day at the market before Christmas! Click here to see photos of all the great artisan gift ideas available now each Saturday at the FFM.

Speaking of Santa, the big man showed up at the market this past Saturday, bringing smiles and handing out jingle bells for all of the kids. Some were very excited to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas, while others were a bit shy. And then there were the big “kids” who sat on Santa’s lap and told him what they wanted for Christmas! Check out the Santa photos in the market photo gallery by clicking here.

Take a look at the calendar – Christmas is just around the corner, so make your list and check it twice, then head to the market this weekend for your last chance at great fresh food and unique presents for the holiday. You’ll find it all at the Franklin Farmers Market!

Roasted Beets and Bacon Spinach Salad

December 16, 2013

Leave a comment

Newly Harvested Beets from the Market

Farm fresh Beets, Spinach and Bacon are all available now at the Franklin Farmers Market along with many of the other local ingredients. Using recently picked farm fresh vegetables and cheeses from the farmers market adds a wonderful fresh flavor! Here is what you need for a farm fresh holiday salad.

Plan a little extra time to roast the beets in the oven. You could roast them a day in advance, then dice and refrigerate until you’re ready to make the salad. Pecans or walnuts are also great in this salad, and add extra texture.

Roasting Beets: 1 hour

Yield: Serves 4 to 6:

Perfect for a Holiday Salad

1 pound beets, trimmed, roasted, peeled, and diced.
4 cups baby spinach leaves.
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion.
2 to 3 thick slices bacon, cooked, diced.
goat cheese or feta cheese, crumbled, optional.
walnut or pecan halves, optional.

Dressing:

1 clove garlic, crushed and minced.
1/2 teaspoon salt.
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper.
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard or a similar gourmet mustard.
4 tablespoons honey.
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar.
2/3 cup olive oil.

Preparation: To roast beets: Wash whole beets; trim off leaves, stems, and roots. Sprinkle with a little vegetable oil, salt, and pepper; wrap in foil and bake at 375° for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until tender. The time varies depending on the size of the beets.

Salad:
Arrange spinach leaves on 4 salad plates. Top with diced beets, diced bacon, red onion, and cheese and/or nuts, if using. In a bowl or blender, combine the garlic, salt, pepper, mustard, honey, and balsamic vinegar. Whisk or blend in the olive oil in a steady stream. Drizzle the dressing over the salad or serve on the side.

We hope you enjoy this farm fresh recipe for the holidays!