Charlevoix Farmer's Market occupies Charlevoix's downtown East Park every Thursday from 9am - 1pm through October 1. Fall harvest is especially abundant, varied, and hardy. Shoppers find greens and squash, cabbages and carrots, and apples and tomatoes — lots of apples and tomatoes. "August and September mean over 50 gorgeous and nutritious items to harvest each week," explains market vendor Andrea Romeyn of Providence Organic Farm. Enjoy the harvest now, and in the months to come, with these tips from Andrea:
Most items, such as root vegetables (greens removed) and cabbages can store for two months, or more, in plastic, placed in the refrigerator.
Pop whole cherry tomatoes into freezer bags with NO work at all, or core large tomatoes to freeze. The bonus is that when you thaw them in the fridge or microwave, you can easily pull the skins right off!
Greens such as kale, chard, and collards can be rinsed, patted dry and frozen in freezer bags for a few months to be used raw in smoothies, but tend to lose their color and flavor if stored much longer. However, all greens can be preserved 8 – 12 months if blanched first! Throw them in already boiling water for 2-1/2 minutes, give them a 3-minute ice-bath, then drain well and place in a freezer bag with most of the air squeezed out.
Herbs, such as basil, can be successfully frozen by packing tightly and adding a little bit of your choice of water or oil into either ice-cube trays or right into zip-type freezer bags for later use in soups and sauces.
And the Charlevoix market also hosts flower vendors, cooking demonstrations, and children's activities.
Happy Harvesting!
