Yay...It's May!
May is that awkward “in-between” month when we are still on our winter market schedule and yet, with nature leafing out and bursting into bloom all around us, it feels like we should be in summer mode. This is the month we say goodbye to our guest winter vendors, like Obercreek Farm, whose spicy Hot Shot salad mix literally got me through those winter blues and blahs.
This is Obercreek’s last Saturday so make sure you hit them up early because you know how fast those greens fly. Starting next week Obercreek will be back at the Chappaqua Farmers Market for their regular summer residency.
We have just the thing to turn that frown upside down.
As the Obercreek door closes (until next winter), the Thousand Leaf Gardens door opens, because that’s how we roll here in Hastings. We are nothing short of thrilled to bring you this sweet, strictly organic/biodynamic and low-till regenerative farm from Gardiner, NY that grows heirloom varieties and specialty vegetables as well as head-turning flowers, including over a dozen varieties of tulips.
Mary Kate Chillemi and Chris Hausman met and fell in love while working together on an organic farm in 2014. In 2017, they founded Thousand Leaf Gardens. Over the winter, they moved to a larger piece of land (11 acres) in Gardiner and in April they had their first baby, a little buttercup named Clara, so, needless to say, their spring planting was minimal this year. They will be starting small... flowers mainly, but come summer, you can expect such market lovelies as Badger Flame beets, fava beans and field-blanched frisée. This week, expect lots and lots of foraged ramps!
Consider making a ramp omelet or, since Wil-Hi Farm is here, some sauteed lamb chops with ramps anchovy, capers and olives (oh hello, flavor!). We look forward to watching Thousand Leaf grow with us, and baby Clara, too. Please give them a warm welcome.
Speaking of motherhood...
Our next market is not until May 18th, after Mother’s Day, so if there is someone in your life who mothers and deserves to be fêted, you MUST do your shopping this weekend if you want your gift to be made locally (and with love).
So many options this week: any kitchen vessel or vase from Chloe Sikirica Pottery, a sleek and modern cutting or serving board at the KHEM Woodworking tent. Or, let Ash Hopper Botanical Skincare put together a little gift bag for you.
Frederique from Ici et Là is also here with her hand-sewn creations in cool fabrics, many from Liberty of London. And if mom likes to knit, Wil-Hi Lamb will be bringing their quality wool from their award-winning Rambouillet sheep.
Don Carvajal just “birthed” his first sit-down cafe in Irvington! We’re so happy for Héctor who has worked very hard for this. Now, you can enjoy his Bronx-roasted coffee any day of the week.
No Place Like Home will be cooking up shrimp, calamari and chorizo paella at the market again! If you want to pre-order paella or other items from their menu you can do so here until 3 p.m. tomorrow. Harlem Valley Homestead wants you to know they are bringing more tulips this week and they are having a sale on their pork sausage so you can make this
Guess who is popping by for a guest appearance: Dora, of Marcelina Orange is back for a spell with her bittersweet orange peels coated in dark chocolate and her tangy orange marmalade both spicy and sweet.
Please consider bringing donations for PAWS Crossed Animal Shelter in Elmsford who will have a table at the market this week. Attached is a flyer listing their needs! Thank you in advance.
Oh, and speaking of pooches... meet Penelope, the farm dog at Thousand Leaf Gardens.