You’re Invited – A Community Potluck and Blues Jam

The season for farmers markets has come to and end, giving us the blues. Our souls are hungry for sustenance, and we think that community is the refreshment!

The Kennett Square Farmers Market and the Kennett Flash kindly invite you to our Community Potluck & Electric Blues Jam. We encourage everyone to bring a dish – it’s time to bust out your favorite cookbook and whip up your specialty! You’re also welcome to bring your musical instrument of choice – a house band will be set up for anyone daring enough to jump on stage and jam! For those of you who are both musically and culinarily shy, we welcome a $5 donation to help cover expenses!

Where: The Kennett Flash – 102 Sycamore Alley
When: Monday, November 23 6:30 PM for potluck, 8 PM blues jam

Here are some photos from last year’s potluck at Inverbrook Farm – it was a blast! We can’t wait to move to the Flash this year for more space and great accoustics!

 

Check out this article on last year’s potluck from Main Line Today! We promise this year will be even better than the last!

BYOB!
Please RSVP either by email, by comment, or ‘attending’ the event on Facebook!

 

I Don’t Know Why You Say Goodbye, I Say Hello

Well folks, tomorrow marks our last market day of 2009, to round out one entire “Decade of Delicious.” We hope you’ve enjoyed all of the season’s bounty, and are well on your way towards a well-stocked root cellar, hoarding away the fruits of the summer for the merry winter ahead. But wait– don’t go into hibernation just yet! We’ve got a big market day ahead of us tomorrow. In addition to our regular vendors, we’ll also be welcoming to tomorrow’s market…

• Chester County photographer, Red Hamer
• Art by S & S
• Dahlias by L&L
• Handmade soaps by EllenApril
• K-9 Kraving Dogfood and Treats will be arranging a monthly winter buying club. Beginning Friday, December 4th, Melissa and Jeff will be dropping off pre-ordered dogfood in Kennett Square. Contact Melissa and Jeff Massey at mmassey19@comcast.net, to place your orders, and receive more information.  
• Amazing Acres artisan goat cheese (Have you tried their crottin? It’s literally to die for. Well, almost.)

Also, the fields and gardens might be put to rest for the winter, but that’s no reason for us to. Be sure to check our blog throughout the winter, as we post such opportunities and special events as winter buying clubs, potlucks, concerts, workshops, pertinent articles and news, and of course, our winter book reviews. Stay tuned, and stay warm. Why say goodbye, when we’d rather say, “Hello, hello!” Thank you, for a lovely season.

Hold summer in your hand, pour summer in a glass… change the season in your veins by raising a glass to lip and tilting summer in.

–Ray Bradbury, Dandelion Wine

 

Why are carrots so real?

We’ve extolled the virtues of one Andrew Bird countless times, but this original tweeting Bird has won us over once again. Abby & I packed up and headed for the Electric Factory this past Sunday to bask in the brightness that Bird gleams – and we were not disappointed! It was great to get out of the countryside for a few hours and enjoy the lights and sounds of the city, and the special treat of seeing St. Vincent perform before, and alongside, Andrew was the icing on the cake!

What was that? What were our favorite moments? Well, don’t mind if I do!

In the middle of the set, the Bird Roadie came out to gift us a performance dance piece

He also finished with one of mine & Abby’s favorite songs, Fake Palindromes (Abby is our resident market dewey-eyed Disney bride!)

and last, but certainly not least! We’re sure all of our faithful followers remember the adventure in which Abby and I went to Lancaster on market site visits, and created the ‘music’ video for Bird’s beautiful tune, Imitosis? No? Well, here’s a refresher! We also sent this video along to Andrea, the lovely lady behind the informative newsletters. We think she sent it his way!

Well, during the set, Bird went into playing Imitosis – it was beautiful, we loved it, nothing could be better, right? That’s what we thought, until he got to the line of “How can kids be so mean?” and he changed it to “How can carrots be so real?”

Suffice it to say, your two farmers market managers can die happy, satisfied girls.

On a completely unrelated note, we hope to see you all out for our very last market this Friday! We’ll be posting pictures from last weeks market, including mini-pumpkin decorating snapshots!

See you tomorrow, 2 pm – 6 pm in the farmers market alley!

 

A Big Fermentation Thank You!

 Can it be, that an entire week has past since the Fermentation Festival? Who knew there could be life after Fermentation! Wow, what a beautiful event. So many thanks to all who participated to make this event truly shine! We’d like to especially thank our absolutely fabulous volunteers, without whom this event would simply not have been a possibility. Introducing, an all-star cast of characters…

Event Volunteers

 

Ann, Runner and Market Table Powerhouse. Am I allowed to say the best mom ever?

Katherine, Fermentation Alley Chief and Market Table Powerhouse. Isn’t she a wonder?

Lisa, Runner and Short-Order Volunteer Master. She makes it look so darn easy, but without her it just wouldn’t have been the same!

Dan, Insanely Talented Professional Tattoo Maker. If only they were permanent!

Claire, Tasting Area Manager and Co-Fermentation Festival Event Planner. Did we mention Superhero? Yes folks, it’s true.

Hillary, Tasting Area Volunteer and Guest Photographer. Did we mention cabaret singer?  

Wiley and Mavis, Cupcakes for Kimchi Runners. Also, KSQFM Unofficial Mayors.

 

 

 

Mary, Twin Lakes Brewery Stand-In. Pinch hitter phenom!

Fermentation Demonstration Volunteers

Jess, Kimchi Demonstrator and High School Biology Teacher: “I believe Industrial foods cause a need for industrial remedies…   Most people would like to do something good in their lives… some people donate money to various organizations, others donate clothes or volunteer at non profits.  What I do is vote with my money.  I support the community of farmers who in turn provide me and my family with a strong foundation of health and therefore happiness.  I can not express in words the amount of gratitude I have for those who grow my food.” Also has magical kimchi powers…

 

 

 

Martha and Jerry from Highland Dairy & Kristian from Doe Run Farm, Yogurt Making Demonstrators and Leaders of defined Curd Cult Following

Tim, Seed Saving Demonstrator and Happy Cat Organics victory man

 

Dr. Tim Watkins, “Fermentation 101,” Victory Brewing Co. Director of Quality Assurance

 

 

 

 

 Thomas Hitner, WCU Professor and Potter, Ongoing Mug Throwing Performer and Absolute Young Person Magnet. A completely mesmerizing phenomenon.

 

We hope you all had a lovely time. Don’t forget to check out your photos on the Fermentation Festival page. Lots of killer candids. We are eager to hear from you! Please email us at: ksqfarmersmarket@gmail.com, with your suggestions, comments, quotes, memories, photos, ideas for next year, etc. Once again, thank you, from the bottom of our crocks!

 

Fermentation Festival Line-Up

Here we go, down the Fermentation Festival Rabbit Hole! This Friday at the Festival, you’ll experience the KSQ Farmers’ Market like never before. In order to facilitate an ideal experience for you fermentation fanatics, we’ve decided to take advantage of some neighboring spaces that are seldom used, yet quite lovely and enchanted. Other familiar spaces of the market will be transformed the day of the Festival, in order to suit our extensive list of participants and guest vendors. Please see below for a complete Festival Line-Up, Orientation, and “Who’s Who.” We are so thrilled at this high caliber cast of specialty characters (Homebrew Kits and tools, handmade mugs, books, fine chocolates, probiotic salsa, fruit…), that we know you will be too. Please don’t forget to bring your check books, since most vendors won’t be accepting credit card. There is also an ATM right in front of the BBQ, in the kiosk adjacent to the Genesis building) We can’t wait to see you there! (“Where? Oh! At the KSQ Farmers’ Market-cum-Fermentation Festival on Friday, October 9th, from 2-6pm!”) Also, this event is rain or shine. In the case of rain, we will be re-locating to the bottom floor of the Parking Garage. Please stay tuned for an update. Thanks!

Where:  The “Fermentation Alley” (Brick alleyway across State St. from the KSQ Market, in between Bedbugzz and Newton’s) 
What: Fermentation Demonstrations & Special Vendors

Who & When: 2:30 Kristian Holbrook and Martha Pisano, Doe Run Farm & Highland Farm– Sheep Yogurt-Making
3:30 Tim Mountz, Happy Cat Organics — Tomato Seed Saving
4:30 Jess Meginley, Biology Teacher and Foodie/Chef Extraordinaire– Kimchi demo & Kombucha “display”
5:30 — Dr. Tim Wadkins, Director of Quality Assurance of Victory Brewing Company– “Fermentation 101″

Special Vendors and Free Tastings

• Live, probiotic relish, salsa, salad dressing, ketchup etc., from Zukay Live Foods
• Fine chocolate confections from John and Kira’s
• A complete “Fermentation Station,” by Harvest Market, featuring free tastings of GT Dave’s Synergy Kombucha, apple/gotu kola cider, food and beverage recipes, books and know~how aplenty…All to jump start your starter (lactic acid, of course) and move you smoothly into the wonders of the ferment!
• Handmade pottery by Lyla Kaplan
• Live pottery throwing with WCU Professor, and local artist, Thomas Hitner
• All the hard-to-find homebrewing tools and Start-up Kits, in addition to Root Beer tastings, by Home Sweet Homebrew
• *SPECIAL NOTE*: Three Springs Fruit Farm will be joining us for the Fermentation Festival, bringing over 15 varieties of apple, including: Honeycrisp, Gala, Jonagold, Jonathan, Empire, Cortland, Granny Smith, Mutsu, Grimes Golden, Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty,  & Nittany. In addition to their IPM apples and pears, onions and taters, famous applesauce, canned peaches and pumpkins, they’ll also be featuring UV Pasteurized Apple Cider, “Homebrewer Approved!” Perfect for the homebrewer, a fine fermenter. Ask Ben, the owner, all about homebrewing, he’s a pro! Three Springs will be flanking the market on State St., closest to Broad. Don’t miss them!

What: Fine Philly Folk Music, brought to you by “Excited Light Productions,” in the form of… The Spinning Leaves, and Hezekiah Jones

Where:  The center of the brick alleyway adjacent to the Genesis Building (usual market music location)

When:

3:00-4:00pm — Hezekiah Jones

5:00-6:00pm — The Spinning Leaves

What: Tiny tastings from the “Drinkable Garden” (Local beer, wine & spirits). Tiny cups and $3 bracelets are available to all over 21 (we’ll be checking i.d. at point of purchase). Please remember that these are indeed truly tiny tastings. For a more substantial “drink,”grab a coupon at the Festival, and skip on down to the Half Moon Saloon, where they’re featuring a Fermentation Special, of Local Appetizers and Draft Tastings, for $1!

Who:

• Local beer from Victory Brewing Co. and Twin Lakes Brewery
• Rootbeer and Stoudt Floats, Beer Jeopardy and Prizes, from Rolling Barrell Events
• Local wine from Stargazers Vineyard & Winery
• ROOT, a certified organic spirit made with North American herbs and pure cane sugar, from Art in the Age.

Where: In the brick alleyway adjacent to the Genesis Building, closest to the Parking Garage

Special Note: This area will also be hosting Talula’s Table, featuring their Cheddar Beer Dip, Kombucha Kits, Hard Cider tastings from Home Sweet Homebrew, and other finely fermented fare.

When: Ongoing, from 2:00-6:00pm

• Another feature of the Fermentation Festival is the photography of Chester County artist, Red Hamer

And, of course, we’ll have all of your favorite usual market vendor suspects…

Happy Cat, Amazing Acres, Ellen April, Nick’s Succulents, Elkdale Vegetables, Shadygrove Flowers and Plants, Northcreek Nurseries’ veggies and plants, EarthArt, Big Sky Bakery, Highland Sheep Dairy, Papa’s Pastries (featuring caramel apples, pumpkin soup, assorted autumn pies, and myriad pumpkin fare!), L&L Dahlia’s, Countryside Bakery, Country Meadows Meats and BBQ, Betty’s Buttons, Great Harvest Bakery, God’s Country Creamery, K-9 Kraving Dogfood, & Blade Sharpening by Clarke Green.

 

Autumn Song

Summertime is just so darned glamorous. Boasting seemingly endless days, sunshine and freedom, not to mention a cornucopia of delicious roots, shoots and fruits practically leaping from the ground into your mouth, one could say that Autumn has a pretty tough act to follow. For sure, I’ve always been a hopeless Summertime romantic, somewhat leary of the shortening days and Southbound migration patterns, not to mention the end of farming season and weekly Farmers’ Markets. But recently with these golden crisp days, slanted afternoon light, increasingly prolific songbirds, and the herald of a new food season (hey there cool crops, what’s up Springtime? Lookin’ good, Lactobacilli!), it is the months of September and October that I’ve come to relish most. Hey, speaking of relish, did you know that the KSQ Farmers’ Market goes into the last week of October? With First Friday and the Fermentation Festival to forge our way into October, tell your friends and grand-friends to come out and enjoy the market and all its fine fare. Just for fun, see how many people YOU can get to come out on Fridays; here in KSQ, it’s a collaborative game, everyone wins! Here’s a look at all the early Autumn has to offer, at the Farmers’ Market that loves you the most– you needn’t inquire which one…

Heirloom Winter Squash from Elkdale and Countryside (do endeavor to whip up this Borlotti Bean Mole with Roast Winter Squash recipe.)

Cool Greens, in the way of Asian Salad Mix, arugula, lettuce, Maiche, spinach, dandelion greens, etc, from Happy Cat, Sunny Girl, and Inverbrook Farms.

Expert Blade Sharpening by Clarke Greene

Roots revisited– sweet and spicy!

Coolest of Crucifers!

Handmade Salsa and Guacamole by Mauricio and Misha with Anita’s Guacamole– check out those food safety guns!

Pastured Meats: The last call for fresh chicken from Country Meadows is this week (you must try this Tajine recipe from Tanis’ Platter of Figs. Pastured poultry is also available from Inverbrook Farm, please contact them directly for more info.), hereafter it’s all frozen. Also plenty of pork, sausage, beef, bacon, etc.

Curds and Whey, in Sheep, Goat and Cow form, from Highland, Amazing Acres, and God’s Country, respectively.

Alpaca Knitwear and Yarn from Joan at Butterfly Hill Alpaca

Rustic Baked Goods, from Big Sky and Great Harvest

Flora and Succulents, by way of Daniel from Shadyside, Nick of Castelli’s, and Lynn from L&L…

Arts & Crafts from Earthart and S&S…

Handmade soaps by Ellen April…

Lavender everything, by Chris at Fat Spike Lavender Co…

Sustainable dog food from Jeff and Melissa from K-9 Kraving…

A wildly diverse array of prepared foods from Thomas at Papa’s Pastries…

Artisan Fudge and Confections by Betty’s Buttons…

Serendipity-by-book, from Senior Center Used Books

See you Friday!

 

A Fervere, Forever!

Harvest Market Natural Foods and the KSQ Farmers Market are pleased to present the first ever Annual East Coast Fermentation Festival, to be held on Friday, Oct 9, from 2-6pm. A merry prelude to the Enchanted Evening, join us as we herald the end of one season and the beginning of the next, by celebrating fermentation as a life-giving means of enjoying the season’s bounty after the crops have gone to bed!
Festivities include…

Demonstrations:

• Yogurt Making with Martha Pisano of Highland Farm and Kristian Holbrook of Doe Run Farm
• Tomato Seed Saving with Tim Mountz of Happy Cat Organics
• Kimchi and Kombucha Making with Jess Meginley
• Fermentation 101 with Dr. Tim Wadkins, Director of Quality Assurance at Victory Brewing Company
• Mug Making with Thomas Hitner, Professor of Ceramics at WCU
• Homemade Herbal Medicines with Local Herbwyfe April Coburn http://www.flowoflove.blogspot.com/

Tastings by:

• Zukay Live Food
• GT Synergy Drinks
• Root
• Twin Lakes Brewery
• Stargazers Vineyard
• Victory Brewing Company
• Rolling Barrell Events

Special Vendors:

• Harvest Market Natural Foods
• John and Kira’s Chocolates
• Home Sweet Home Brew
• Lyla Kaplan Pottery

Music by:

• The Spinning Leaves http://www.myspace.com/thespinningleaves
• Hezekiah Jones http://www.myspace.com/hezekiah11

 

Looking for more fermentation merriment? Stick around town after the Fermentation Festival and join An Enchanted Evening,where you will enjoy a beautifully crafted spread of local fare, by Talula’s Table, along with the best of beer and wine pairings. Then, fall into bed with visions of effervescence projected upon the backs of your eyelids, and awake to attend Saturday’s Kennett Brewfest . Enjoy a day of sipping local and domestic brews in the heart of Historic Kennett Square.

Special thanks to our sponsors:

Harvest Market–Presenting Sponsor
Zukay Live Food-Supporting Sponsor
GT Dave’s Synergy Drinks-Product Sponsor
CCDwell-Media Sponsor  (check out this great article on some of our local breweries)

 

Blades Sharpened While You Shop!

 

Are your kitchen knives feeling the wear of a summer’s worth of produce-centric meals? I doubt I’m alone in my discovery that my blades are simply no longer cutting it. The other night I practically killed myself in my attempt to chop up some cabbage for a batch of saurkraut. What had at one time been a fairly effortless, I’d even romance to say blissful, ritual– initiated by that clean, close slide into the life-giving walls of cellulose, followed by the lovely back and forth rhythm that would unfailingly produce a beautiful chiffonade, or perhaps a  JULienne, had somehow by summer’s end become more akin to some ghastly, brutal sacrifice. Breaking a sweat as I wrestled the innocent crucifer half-way to the kitchen floor, I came to the absurd realization that my knife, at long summer’s last, for all intents and purposes, had been rendered useless but for its straight edge.

           Enter stage left: Clarke Green. For those of us that aren’t equipped with our own means to sharpen our household blades (pruning shears, kitchen shears, kitchen knives, serrated knives, pocket knives… anything sharp), Clarke will be setting up at market this Friday, September 11th, to assist. Clarke will be located straight across from the Genesis entrance way, along the brick pathway, right next to another superhero of sorts, Adam Borkowski, of the Whisky Swillers (more on that to come, stay tuned!). In preparation for his service, Clarke has been kind enough to lend some wise words…

KSQFM: How can I cart my blades safely to the market?

CG: I suggest that folks wrap their knives in newspaper to bring them to the market safely. Do this the same way you’d wrap a hoagie: lay the knife diagonally on a corner of the newspaper and roll it up, then fold the ends over and tape them up. Alternatively, tape the knives between two pieces of cardboard to make a sleeve.

KSQFM: Yum, I just love hoagies! I have a variety of different things with sharp blades. Do you think you’d be able to sharpen them for me?

CG: I’ll be able to sharpen kitchen knives (plain and serrated edge), pocket knives, shears and scissors. I’ll be happy to sharpen any tool that needs it, so bring them along.

KSQFM: Excellent. What’s your going rate, so I know how much cash to bring?

CG: Sharpening a normal kitchen or pocket knife up to 4 inches long costs $2.00. Longer knives will cost an additional .25 cents for every inch over 4 (for example, an 8″ knife costs $3 to sharpen). Shears and scissors cost $4 each, up to 6″, and an additional .30 for every inch over 6″. Serrated knives are $2 each and .40 an inch. Pruning shears are $3. If your knives or scissors need extensive re-conditioning, be prepared to spend $3-$5 extra.

KSQFM: Wow, that’s a steel! Ha ha, get it? Okay, last question: Why is it better to work with sharp blades, instead of dull ones? Isn’t it dangerous to have blades be so sharp?

CG:  Besides being easier to use, a sharp blade is safer than a dull one. People tend to put a lot of force behind a dull knife and are more likely to slip. Once sharpened, the blades will be  literally razor sharp ; they will give you a nice clean shave (not that I recommend you try).

KSQFM: Wow, that makes perfect sense! And thanks for the heads up about the shave. We look forward to seeing you on Friday, perhaps you’ll be whistling while you work!

CG: I look forward to seeing you on Friday.

 

Sunday in the Park with Kennett

This past Sunday felt truly like the last day of summer – a cool breeze was rustling both hair and leaves, the last of the bumblebees were humming around, sitting on the lips of plastic cups, and the sun was shining vibrantly while two tremendous music acts were performing quiet sound checks. Anson B Nixon park was empty save a few early birds, but by the time 3:00 pm rolled around, the small clustering of cars in the parking lot had grown from a few to five hundred!

Flying Fish Brewing Company had provided the brews for the afternoon in the park, and volunteers from the Longwood Rotary, along with the usual KSQ volunteer group (Dan McShane, Mary & Lizzy Hutchins, me, Abby Morgan, Claire Murray, etc) were eagerly checking IDs and pouring drafts of their Octoberfish and their Summer Ale – yum! We all had a lovely seat at the top of the hill, perfect for sipping beers, chatting and snacking on melon with basil, salsa and quacamole – all from the Kennett Square Farmers Market!

Birdie Busch and her West Philadelphian band went on first and killed it – her voice is fun and playful and at times, so energizing that I felt a little bit of euphoria wash over me. Abby made a beeline for the WXPN table to buy her newest album, Patterns of Saturn – that’s next on my ‘cd’s to purchase’ list! We tried to get a few photos, but they’re a bit blurry – we’ll make sure to scoot closer next time!

Birdie Busch

Here’s a video of Birdie and the band playing a pretty little tune – I should also mention that I am quite possibly the shakiest videographer of all time.

Next up was The Low Anthem, a Rhode Island based trio composed of Ben Knox Miller, Jeff Prystowski, and Jocie Adams. The three dabble in the usual tri-band suspects, but also throw in a little banjo, clarinet, trombone, and cell phone feedback for good measure. During their warmly welcome set, the cool wind picked up and the light hit its peak and the entire park was glowing – the combination of slow, lingering melodies and the warm sun on everyone’s faces made for a perfect afternoon.

Beautiful day

Jocie & her clarinet

cellphone frenzy

The Low Anthem

And our lovely volunteers – everyone worked together very well and we were all very grateful for such an amazing opportunity to come together once again in this lovely borough and support one another. Thanks, everyone!

KSQ 09

 

Rain, Rain, Go away

Although I have to say, the cool breeze that this late summer thunderstorm brought along has made the heat a bit more bearable! This weekend will be jam-packed with fun, as always, and we kick off the festivities today with the farmers market! Start planning ahead for your Sunday picnic – The Low Anthem and Birdie Busch are playing a free concert at Anson B. Nixon park in our very own Kennett Square!

Birdie Busch

Pack a lunch for the concert – throw in some fresh guacamole from the guys at Anita’s Guacamole, a pretty salad with greens and veggies from our Amish buddies, and top it off with a treat – perhaps a pile of whoopie pies to share with everyone around you!

The Low Anthem

Even though it’s supposed to rain, all of the Farmers Market ladies will be in attendance, feet kicked up and relaxing underneath umbrellas – it’s like the anti-beach! We’ve been very excited to take a day off and drink some of the Flying Fish beers that are going to be available for sale – delicious! The Low Anthem and Birdie Busch have been separately receiving tremendous accolades for their work in the music world, and Birdie is from West Philadelphia – represent! Rush on over to the market today at 2 and we’ll help you plan the perfect picnic for a perfect day in the park!

Don't forget to bring your umbrella today!