Market Squash

You guys! Thanksgiving is NEXT week! That means we make the food, bring the food, or eat the food. Thanksgiving is a celebration of food as much as it is a space to recognize thankfulness in our lives. It originated with the harvest of food and what better place to honor that tradition than supporting local farmers.  The Kitsap Peninsula is home to nine Farmer’s Markets, two of which remain open into December. The Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island Farmers’ Markets are open for business.  Out of town visitors arriving this weekend or Seattleites looking for adventure, the Kitsap Farmer’s Market culture is a great opportunity to enjoy mouth-watering local eats.

In our family, because we are military, we don’t have a Thanksgiving routine per se. The only certainty is there will be turkey and we will be gathered around a table. Some years we have broke bread with friends at their tables, their parent’s tables, and we have even hosted community Thanksgiving feasts.

This year we will be gathered around MY table and we will be gathered with my siblings and their families. They will be at my farm. With my family. Eek! This has NEVER happened before. EVER. My sister, from Oklahoma, and my brother, from Sacramento. Hence, they’ve requested OYSTERS.  The only other request you ask? From my brother, the new bachelor, there must be calories! I’m the youngest among my siblings, but I am the cook. So, I got that going for me. I have already started fussing over the accommodations in our tiny farm house, dealt with glaring teenage eyes induced by Mom’s chore list, but now…I must plan the dinner!

I’m keeping it as local as possible. Thanksgiving is a special time of year, right after the harvest! Some of the meal will be fresh from our farm. The rest will be sourced as close to home as possible.  Each market has different vendors, so I will plan on visiting both to find the elements of the quintessential meal fit for my special guests.

Spring Rain Farm and Orchards

Here’s the market lineup for this weekend:

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18th 

Bainbridge Island Farmer’s Market
Town Square/City Hall
280 Madison Ave N, Bainbridge Island
9 am to 1 pm

Poulsbo Farmer’s Market
Gateway Fellowship
18901 8th Avenue NE, Poulsbo
9 am to 2 pm

Find Bainbridge Wines @ the market

Of course you can expect to find freshly harvested produce – potatoes, onions, garlic, squash, pumpkins, carrots, beets, cabbage, greens, peppers, apples, pears, honey, etc. But then, THEN…there’s cheese, smoked salmon, flowers, gifts, jewelry,baked goods, handmade soap, and tasty prepared foods.

I haven’t nailed down my menu just yet, either I’m indecisive or I’m leaving room for market inspiration. However, I have been eyeing this recipe from What’s Gabby Cooking: Brown Butter Roasted Pumpkin with Ricotta and Pomegranate.

Take a gander and I’ll see you at the market!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Farm Fresh Produce