Celebrate Mardi Gras with Gumbo

Dark, Rich Gumbo

Mardi Gras Day is this Tuesday, February 21. Ashevillians can parade today (Sunday) at 2 p.m. ~ starts on Wall Street and wraps around down Haywood Street and back around by the Grove Arcade. For those who don’t already know – Mardi means Tuesday, and Gras means Fat – which is why it is also called Fat Tuesday. Fat Tuesday indicates the last day of feasting before you must start fasting during Lent (a period of fasting with the purpose of cleansing yourself, physically and spiritually, to prepare for the celebration of Easter).

If you can’t make it to New Orleans or some other town that celebrates Carnival, you can at least cook up a pot of gumbo. Today’s weather is perfect for blasting some Mardi Gras classics while getting down with some roux on the stove. Since the basis of good gumbo is a good roux, allot at least a half hour to 45 minutes for getting your roux right before proceeding on to the next steps. In other words…relax into it and don’t hurry it. If you make gumbo today, it will be better tomorrow and even better on Mardi Gras Day.

Here is my gumbo recipe (give or take a little), along with some instructions about making good gumbo and making stock:

http://tailgatemarketfanclub.wordpress.com/2010/03/29/seafood-gumbo-recipe/

http://tailgatemarketfanclub.wordpress.com/2010/03/29/cooking-good-gumbo/

http://tailgatemarketfanclub.wordpress.com/2010/03/28/seafood-stock-for-gumbo/

Keep in mind that gumbo is a personal thing – meant to be elaborated on by the cook (that’s you!). Can’t go wrong with lots of onion, green peppers, and celery sautéed into that roux. And remember to wait to throw the more delicate seafood in at the last minute, so it doesn’t get tough. Serve with LOTS of good French bread and butter. And of course (no-brainer), serve gumbo over rice. Gumbo HAS to have rice, or it’s not gumbo.

Here is another recipe and additional advice from Foodista:

http://www.foodista.com/recipe/Z2KPLCN3/jean-s-seafood-gumbo#

This recipe calls for both okra and file…which some consider a really big no-no. And certainly, if file is involved, it is added at the very last. (I don’t know how to add the accent mark, but this word is not “file” as in file cabinet…it is pronounced like fee-lay.)

Note: I would eliminate #11. Why would you want to cool down your gumbo? And why would you want to be messing around with a big heavy pot of hot gumbo in the sink? That sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

Markets & Snow…It’s February!

WINTER TAILGATE MARKETS ~ Saturday, February 11

WINTER TAILGATE MARKET at the Neighborhood YMCA at Woodfin (located indoors in the YMCA’s Multipurpose Room) from 10 to NOON.

WHO? Here is the vendor list through March:  Farm & Sparrow Bakery, East Fork Farm, Sweetheart Bakery, Spinning Spider Creamery, Mudlucious Gardens, Lady Luck Farm, Rio Bertolini Pasta, Hickory Nut Gap Meats, Asheville Coffee Roasters, Creasman Apple Farm, Pixies Pockets Infused Honey, and Full Sun Farm switching off with Mountain Harvest Organics.

Get there early! If you wait until 11 o’clock, your choices will be slimmer. Last week I got there too late to get any baked goods (but the bakers are promising to make more this week).

MADISON COUNTY FARMERS’ & ARTISANS’ MARKET ~ Feb.11 from 10 to 2 at the Madison County Extension Office (the Extension office is on Carolina Lane just off 25/70 in Marshall). In addition to all the other good stuff, Mackey Farm will be bringing barbeque!

https://www.facebook.com/marshilltailgatemarket

DILLINGHAM FAMILY FARM, Winter Market on February 11 from 10-1 in Barnardsville. Look for fresh eggs, fresh-brewed coffee and roasted coffee beans, a wonderful variety of beautifully-raised meats, baked goods, jewelry, crafts, and more – plus Reva and Matt.

Will the snow this morning affect market openings? Sorry, but I am not sure about that. I am sure the farmers and vendors have prepared for today’s markets, so it is highly probably they will show up at the markets. Roads look clear at the moment.

Politics of Lettuce

“She started life in the lettuce fields

Up in Salinas where the farm work is done

You go streaking by in your automobiles

You don’t even know where your lettuce comes from”

Song by Ry Cooder, Dirty Chateau from the album Pull up Some Dust and Sit Down

Vintage Postcard of Salinas Lettuce Fields

 My plan was to just post the words from this song that underscore how unaware we are – when we grab that head of lettuce in the grocery store – of the realities in giant industrial-sized lettuce fields. In looking for a picture to include, I discovered that just this one subject (women picking lettuce) brought with it a whirlwind of complex agricultural issues. If you care to read more, here are a few links that show the tiny tip of the iceberg (get it?), including a modern picture of lettuce harvesters that illustrates this “gringo woman’s” report of her experience in the fields.

 

This article, http://theweek.com/article/index/105762/the-last-word-a-gringo-in-the-lettuce-fields is written by a white woman who spent two months cutting lettuce in the fields of Yuma, Arizona. The article quotes John McCain on picking lettuce:  “Arizona’s own Sen. John McCain created a stir in 2006 when he issued a challenge to a group of union members in Washington, D.C. “I’ll offer anybody here $50 an hour if you’ll go pick lettuce in Yuma this season, and pick for the whole season,” he said. Amid jeers, he didn’t back down, telling the audience, “You can’t do it, my friends.”

 

CLICK on this PHOTO link: I could not find a copyright-free photo of current lettuce picking methods as described in the above article but here is one you can click on: ©Lorena Cassady  http://www.flickr.com/photos/yaxchibonam/210820199/

 

 

A little about the United Farm Workers of America: “On August 22, 1966, the United Farm Workers Organizing Committee (UFWOC), later renamed the United Farm Workers of America (UFW), was formed… Before the rise of the UFW, working conditions were harsh for most agricultural workers. On average, farmworkers made about ninety cents per hour plus ten cents for each basket of produce they picked [In 1965 the minimum wage was $1.25 and in 1966 was raised to $1.40]. Many workers in the field were not provided even the most basic necessities such as clean drinking water or portable toilets…On February 14, 1968, UFW President Cesar Chavez began the first of many fasts in protest of the treatment of farmworkers…In 1970, Chavez was jailed for defying a court injunction against boycotting….Through these dramatic moves the UFW won many important benefits for agricultural workers. It brought comprehensive health benefits for farmworkers and their families, rest periods, clean drinking water, sanitary facilities, and even profit sharing and parental leave. The UFW also has pioneered the fight to protect farmworkers against harmful pesticides.”

Read more at: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/aug22.html

And this article about dangers to women harvesters:  “The next time you sit down to a fresh, healthy salad, consider this: The contents may have been picked by one of the 400,000 women toiling in U.S. fields, nurseries, and packing plants. Attracted to the U.S. by jobs that pay about $11,000 a year — three times what they can make in Mexico or Central America — these women are frequent victims of sexual harassment and rape…[Women are outnumbered 20 to 1]…Workers in Salinas, CA, refer to one company’s land as the field de calzón, or “field of panties,” because so many supervisors rape women there; in Florida, some workers call the farm where they work “the Green Motel,” because they are expected to lie down between rows of plantings.” Read more at: Field of Panties: Immigrant Workers – Marie Claire

WINTER TAILGATE MARKET at Y ~ Grand Opening Saturday

This Saturday (February 4) is the grand opening of a NEW, yes new WINTER TAILGATE MARKET at the Neighborhood Y in Woodfin (located indoors in the YMCA’s Multipurpose Room) from 10 to Noon.

That’s right. The market is only open for two short hours late on a Saturday morning. But isn’t that about perfect? You can sleep in, and then snuggle into your sofa sipping hot coffee and pondering the mysteries of the universe…or maybe watch a few cartoons. And then finish out this leisurely morning at the Winter Tailgate Market indoors ~ enjoying another cup of coffee and munching on some sort of wonderful pastry. Wander the other booths and fill your bag with all the tailgate goodies you have been longing for since Christmas. Goat cheese…fresh eggs…crusty bread…local meat…homemade pasta, and more. Sounds fabulous, right? Ends at noon!

Here is a stab at the vendor list:

Farm & Sparrow Bakery (great bread and baked goods), Hickory Nut Gap Farm (meats), Spinning Spider Creamery (goat cheeses), East Fork Farm (meat and eggs), Sweetheart Bakery (sweet and savory baked goods), Lady Luck Farm, Pasta Mama (fresh pasta), Asheville Coffee Roasters, and more!

A portion of the vendors’ profits will benefit a good cause ~ the Y’s Healthier Communities Campaign. The YMCA is located at 40 Merrimon Avenue.

The market will run through the end of March.

 

Do you live near Barnardsville in North Buncombe County? Visit Dillingham Winter Market on Saturday too…from 9-1.

They will have honey, fresh coffee and coffee beans, romaine and spicy salad mix, crafts, knitted scarves and hats, fresh eggs, beef, chicken, lamb, and more.

Farm & Sparrow Loaf

Shrimp, Scallops, Flounder…Fruit of the Sea

This Wednesday (February 1) CAROLINA WILD SEAFOOD will be in Waynesville from 8-Noon in the HART parking lot, and in Asheville at the entrance to the French Broad Food Coop (on Biltmore Avenue) from about 2-6.

It all sounds tasty!

Shrimp, Scallops, Tuna, Black Sea Bass, Flounder, Sea Mullet, Catfish, Perch, Oysters, Salmon, and Rockfish.

Place your order by calling or texting Bernie at 828-768-2376.

Black Gold…And It Ain’t Oil!

Finally, finally, finally…my worms are back in gear with nice new bedding and some munchies to enjoy. In the hot of summer, my worms crank through kitchen scraps…turning out compost in no time. BUT it’s nearly February and activity in my worm bin was indiscernible. My friend Stacia recently sent me home with a bag-full of worms just in case dire things had occurred in my

Chunk of "Black Gold"

worm bin. Despite the mild winter, I was worried that my worms were dead or dying. Today though, I turned the contents of my worm bin out onto some plastic – nice big chunks of black gold and plenty of worms were evidence that the worms are hanging in there!

NEXT STEPS:

(1)   I examined the black compost chunk-by-chunk looking for worms. I dropped the worms into a small bucket, and the compost into a five gallon bucket. Lots of people use a screen to separate the finished compost and worms – which is more time efficient. I don’t like the idea of squashing the worms accidentally.

(2)   I left lots of uncomposted eggshells in with the good compost. Worms love calcium (found in eggshells) but they don’t have teeth – so they can’t really break it down much. I crush eggshells with my hand before adding them to my worm bin, but my Uncle Tanny would pulverize his eggshells in a blender so that his worms could enjoy them to the max.

Separating the finished compost, unfinished compost, and the redworms

(3)   Most of my bin was full of finished compost (it filled two five gallon buckets!). I put the food that still needed composting back in the bin and added a layer of bedding. Bedding can be dried leaves or shredded paper or cardboard. James McGee, local worm expert, likes using nutrient-dense leaves rather than paper. Another friend likes to add Nature’s Helper. Stacia uses shredded paper as bedding, and she has an awesome little compost project going on under her deck.

Two Types of bedding for the Worms

(4)   Next I added Stacia’s worms and the compost/bedding layer they were living in. Then I added a bit more bedding and some more food bits. My leaves and the uncomposted matter were very moist so I did not add additional moisture. If the bedding and other material are very dry, you should moisten it a bit…but you don’t want it overly wet. The idea is to get the carbon (leaves, shredded paper, etc.) and the nitrogen (food scraps) ratio just right for maximum compost production. If things are moving too slow, you probably need either more nitrogen (most likely) or more carbon.

The Wormies Look Happy!

(5)   Also redworms don’t like temperatures below 50 degrees. In cold weather they are trying to stay warm so don’t expect them to crank through compost until the weather warms up. They can die outside in the wintertime, and it is best to put them in your basement for protection. Some folks even keep worm-bins under their kitchen sink – which would mean zero excuses for not “taking the compost out”.

(6)   I topped the bin off with a black plastic bag full of leaves as a winter blanket. If it gets really cold, I will move the wormies inside. “Black gold” was successfully collected for my spring gardening projects AND the worms are back to making more compost. Mission accomplished!

A Blanket of Leaves

For the record…worm compost is NOT worms that have been composted. Worms eat your kitchen scraps and – as the scraps pass through the gut of the worm something magical happens  – “black gold” (or vermicompost) comes out the other end. So we are talking about worm poop. It does not have an odor and cannot burn your plants. Worm compost has mega-microbial activity, is super-beneficial, and makes a great addition to any garden. I conserve my “black gold” to put directly in the planting holes or for making compost tea.

The Worm Bin has Holes on the Side and Bottom

Redworms are a non-native worm. Some gardeners choose not to use them due to concerns that they will create an imbalance in our native ecosystems. This may be a worry in warmer climates, but personally, I am not currently concerned because of the cold temperatures typical of the Asheville area. My perspective could change if our climate becomes noticeably warmer.

 

© Ruth Gonzalez 2012

City Market South Open Indoors Now! And More Market Info

Get your tailgate market fix! Asheville City Market South is open indoors now. It sounds like they had a fabulous turnout last week (their first week indoors). Goat cheese lovers – I saw on their Facebook page that Spinning Spider Creamery will be attending this week. It is from 2-6 every Wednesday at Biltmore Park Town Square (near REI).

https://www.facebook.com/AshevilleCityMarket

Other Market News:

Wednesday, January 25 – Carolina Wild Seafood will be in Waynesville at HART parking lot from 8a.m. to Noon and in Asheville by the entrance to the French Broad Food Coop from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Call or text Bernie prior to that to place an order at 828-768-2376, or you can email him on his smart phone at bsmolnik@msn.com .

Saturday, January 28 – Madison County Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market will be open at the Madison County Extension Office from 10 to 2. (the office is on Carolina Lane in Marshall).

https://www.facebook.com/marshilltailgatemarket

Saturday, January 28, Barnardsville – Dillingham Family Farm Winter Market on Saturdays from 10-1

 

Saturday, January 28, Spruce Pine Farmers’ Market, 12-4 at Mountainside Wine.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Spruce-Pine-Farmers-Market/10150116875830514

Do You know of other markets open now? Please leave a comment with info about them.

Last HOLIDAY MARKETS before Christmas ~ TODAY!

LAST CHANCE! Your still have time to pick up some local goodies for Christmas baskets, and artisans will be selling perfect gifts…check off that Christmas list. Think ahead and get your Holiday hors d’oeurves. Both of these markets are INDOORS, so don’t worry about the drippy weather. You will be inside and comfortable.

Weaverville Tailgate Market is operating in the same location BUT INDOORS in the rock building where it is cozy. They have most of the regular vendors, especially the meat, cheese, and baked goods & breads…plus some additional artisans for holiday gift giving. 2-6 p.m. Wednesdays ~ Dec. 7, 14, and 21.

White Horse Farmers Market will feature the Black Mountain Tailgate Market vendors and extra Holiday vendors. INDOORS with holiday goodies and local food. At White Horse Black Mountain from 3-6 every Wednesdays ~ December 7, 14, 21, and 28.

Historic Haywood Farmers Market is operating on Wednesdays, December 7 and 14, and possibly longer. They are located INDOORS at 449A Pigeon Street, 276 South, on the corner of Craven and Pigeon in Waynesville. They also are open on Saturday.

 Click here for entire 2011 Holiday Market Schedule:

http://tailgatemarketfanclub.wordpress.com/2011/11/19/thanksgiving-holiday-markets-stock-up/

Tis the Season to Love LOCAL! Saturday Holiday Markets

There is a big, incredible moon rising…look outside.

Yikes! Saturday is two weeks from Christmas Eve, and it’s time to get cracking on those Christmas gifts. Local preserves and honey & sorghum molasses are perennial favorites, and I love to give handmade soaps too. Most people would be thrilled to receive truffles or sweet treats. But in addition to the foods, there are all sorts of artisans selling wonderful things they have crafted…pottery, blown glass, jewelry, cards & prints, woolens, sculpture, ornaments, trees & wreaths, paperwhites, and so much more. You simply have to see for yourself.

Consider going on a market marathon this Saturday. Check out each Market’s hours (listed below) and make a plan to find a gift for everyone on your list by the end of the day. Take the Challenge!

I love paperwhites!

Organize and stock up for your Holiday parties  ~ trout, goat cheeses, possibly salmon, crackers, breads, baked goods that will blow your mind, veggies, meats, and eggs etc. Get creative and cook up something local to bring to your parties…or hey, just buy that pie and be done with it. Save yourself hours of time. Don’t show up grumpy because you spent your day off cooking and feel like you have ten million things still to be done. Just buy something at the market and grin; knowing that it will be amazing AND you can make headway on your never-ending holiday to-do list.

H O L I D A Y   M A R K E T S   &   S E A F O O D    I N F O

IMPORTANT Seafood Announcement:

Carolina Seafood will be taking PRE-ORDERS ONLY for Friday, December 23. Send in the order as early as possible. For Waynesville & Asheville orders call Bernie at 828-768-2376. For Black Mountain orders call Becki at 828-775-9251. Carolina Wild Seafood will not be at the regular markets, you will need to pre-order for the December 23 pick-up if you want to get seafood from Bernie and Dave.

SATURDAY HOLIDAY MARKETS:

9^th Annual Holiday Bazaar

The 9th Annual Holiday Bazaar will be held this year at the Montford Farmers Market location ~ behind the Asheville Chamber of Commerce at 36 Montford Avenue ~ on December 3, 10, and 17 from 11-3. (This is the same Holiday Market that was at UNCA the past few years and at the Wednesday Coop Market location before that.)

Asheville City Market

Holiday Markets on December 3, 10, and 17 from 10 – 1, market located at 161 S. Charlotte Street (note holiday hours change).

Madison County Farmers & Artisans Market

Located INDOORS at Fiddlestix in Mars Hill by the public library, on December 3, 10, and 17 from 9-1. Hot lunch available from Mackey Farm.

Dillingham Family Farm Winter Market in Barnardsville, on Saturdays from 10-1. Turn right on to Dillingham Rd. and go about 5 miles to the end of Dillingham Road ( look for red sign that says “Fresh Eggs”).

Haywood’s Historic Farmers’ Market in Waynesville

Located INDOORS for the Holiday Markets at 449A Pigeon Street, 276 South, on the corner of Pigeon & Craven Streets. December 3, 10, and 17 (possibly longer, and also on Wednesdays in December).

Flat Rock Christmas Market

Christmas Market on December 10 from 2-5, located behind Hand in Hand Gallery in the courtyard in front of Hubba Hubba Smokehouse along Little Rainbow Row in Flat Rock. Listen to holiday music while you shop and enjoy a complimentary sample of Paul Shoemaker’s Fall Squash Bisque. On December 10 only!

Bakersville Farmers Market, Holiday Market on December 10 from 10-2 at the Historic Courthouse in Bakersville…plus winter market Jan – April on the second Saturday of the month. Only time!

Historic Marion Tailgate Market   

Holiday Markets on December 10 from 3-5:30, AND December 17 from 10-12 (note different hours for each Saturday).

Jackson County Farmers Market

INDOORS at the Episcopal Church, 18 Jackson Street in downtown Sylva on December 3, 10, and 17 from 9-12.

Spruce Pine Farmers Market

Join them for a winter market Jan – April on the last Saturday of the month from 12-4.

Transylvania Tailgate Market

Market open on December 10 and 17 from 8-12.

Yancey County Farmers Market

INDOORS at the Burnsville Town Center with special Holiday Markets on December 3 and 10 from 9-3. Last chance!

CRAFT MARKETS:

Madison County Arts Council ~ Holiday Sale, Artists and Crafts

In the Arts Council building on Main Street in Marshall on Saturday, December 10 from 10-5. Only time!

Handmade Wreath...and LOCAL!

Wednesday HOLIDAY MARKET Schedule ~ REMINDER

I was “makin’ groceries” last Saturday, so I wasn’t able to go to the Holiday Markets, but by mid-afternoon on Sunday did I manage to show up at the The Big Crafty. It was crazy-crowded, but great fun, and very inspiring to see all the various creative ideas and art. I even found a few Christmas presents (can’t post any pictures though or I would spoil a surprise).

Don’t let this Wednesday slip by without attending one of these Holiday Markets…before you realize it, they will be over. FYI ~ All three of these markets are INDOORS…so weather won’t be a concern.

Weaverville Tailgate Market is operating in the same location BUT INDOORS in the rock building where it is cozy. They have most of the regular vendors, especially the meat, cheese, and baked goods & breads…plus some additional artisans for holiday gift giving. 2-6 p.m. Wednesdays ~ Dec. 7, 14, and 21.

Historic Haywood Farmers Market is operating on Wednesdays, December 7 and 14, and possibly longer. They are located INDOORS at 449A Pigeon Street, 276 South, on the corner of Craven and Pigeon in Waynesville. They also are open on Saturday.

First day! White Horse Farmers Market will feature the Black Mountain Tailgate Market vendors and extra Holiday vendors. INDOORS with holiday goodies and local food. At White Horse Black Mountain from 3-6 every Wednesdays ~ December 7, 14, 21, and 28.

Click here for entire 2011 Holiday Market Schedule:

http://tailgatemarketfanclub.wordpress.com/2011/11/19/thanksgiving-holiday-markets-stock-up/