Note: As we come down the home stretch of BFM Season #7 with only 3 market days left, including today, our regular guest blogger and newest BFM board member, Heidi Nawrocki, is here to give us some ideas on what to expect the next few weeks. She also shares some ideas on what to do with all that wonderful autumn produce. As a reminder the last day of the outdoor market is October 11. I’ll be back on duty the last two weeks with a “Season in Review” blog as well as the ever-popular season ending Top Ten list.

 

“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

--Anne of Green Gables

 

Ah, yes, October. Football games, fall festivals, corn mazes, beautiful foliage, crisp cool days, and pumpkin EVERYTHING it seems. A lot of people mark the beginning of fall with the infamous pumpkin spice latte. And it seems like everywhere you look, food makers are injecting pumpkin somehow: toaster pastries, yogurt, bagels, and even breakfast cereal.

 

Luckily, you won't find any of that at the Farmers Market. Why do I say luckily? Because what you'll find at the market is much, much better! Once you adapt to seasonal eating, you'll find your taste buds start craving butternut squash soup, potato soup, pumpkin muffins, and even salad. Yes, I said it...salad.  If you've never tried a fall (or winter!) salad, you're missing out. As the days grow shorter and the temperatures start to fall, plants begin to concentrate their sugars. Lettuce and other greens tend to be much more flavorful after they've been kissed by a frost.

 

Tomatoes and summer squash are on their way out, making room for the winter squash line up. Winter squash are great because of their versatility and storage qualities. Try roasting up some butternut squash and pairing it with black beans for a wonderfully delicious burrito. Butternut squash is also great in soups – especially with a dash of heavy cream. And it can also take on a sweet quality and take the place of pumpkin in some recipes!

 

Some other things that you'll find at the market on those chilly Sunday mornings – beets, carrots, potatoes, apples, sweet potatoes, and cabbage. Those apples are transformed into apple cider and even a hot mulled cider, an excellent beverage choice to keep you warm as you walk around and fill your bags with produce.

 

Perhaps you'll pick up some potatoes and bacon for a warming Sunday afternoon meal of soup. Or maybe you will pick up a pie pumpkin and some honey for a nourishing breakfast muffin treat. Or beets and carrots to roast up alongside of the pork or beef roast you'll pick up. Whatever it is, I hope it warms your body and soul as you enjoy the natural rhythm of seasonal eating.

 

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Thanks, Heidi!

 

Executive Chef James DeCarlo of Vintage Restaurant and Wine Bar in Elkins will be on hand today under the Chef’s Demo tent. Chef James is a veteran of our Demo tent and always brings a fresh take on a Mediterranean influenced dish. Be there at noon and stick around for the free samples.

 

Remember, only two Market Sundays left after today. After that we’ll take a brief hiatus and return to the Bridgeport Conference Center for the first Winter Market on Sunday, November 8, and then every second Sunday of the month up to and including April.

 

Until next week, Stay Fresh!

 

The Bridgeport Farmers Market Association is the seven member all volunteer board of directors that governs the Bridgeport Farmers Market. It is supported by a wonderful group of community volunteers who help in the setup and maintenance of the market. For more information on the Farmers Market or to see how you can help please e-mail us at bridgeportfarmersmarket@yahoo.comor, better yet, LIKE us on Facebook and follow us on both Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out the Market’s own YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/BridgeportFarmersMktor for more BFM video content you can now go to http://vimeo.com/bridgeportfarmersmarket/videos

Go here to see all of the entries in the Let’s Get Fresh blog: http://tinyurl.com/kdv4mhl