October 31, 2020
Did you see the story in the New York Times today about the national spice shortage? So many folks are cooking at home these days due to the pandemic, national spice retailers can't keep up.
Not a problem at the Hastings Farmer's Market where Food is Med Farm sells freshly-ground Indian (and other) spice blends, in addition to his aromatic, medicinal herbal teas and fresh sprouts and micro-greens. (Don't forget to pick up some of Muru's pumpkin pie spice mix for the holidays.)
Speaking of food as medicine, our dear friend Nancy from Honey Locust Farmhouse, (now called "Pharm" House) is paying us a long-overdue visit, with bottles of her popular elderberry elixir in tow. It's dangerous to talk about miracle cures these days, but there's a reason so many local moms serve this delicious nectar over their kids' yogurt or ice cream, or straight up, come flu and cold season. Nancy is also bringing her elderberry-cider vinegar and her elderberry Assam Tea as well as a new tea: Hojiso cranberry spice, with its hint of heat from the guajillo pepper. Yes, she is bringing her coveted collection of dried culinary herbs.
R&M Farm is now bringing lamb to market. All this talk of herbs and spice has me dreaming of Persian lamb stew. Here's a pared-down version of this classic Persian dish.
If lamb isn't your jam, try this try this West African stew with chicken and spinach. No doubt the tender spinach at Sun Sprout Farm is looking to branch out.
This will probably be Stoneberry Farm's LAST weekend with us as they don't think their field crops will withstand the upcoming cold snap. They are building high tunnels for next year! We've loved having them looking so pretty under the bridge this summer and fall. Make sure to say goodbye (and grab some of their bok choy and baby kale!)
Heimat Liqueurs went traipsing through a cranberry bog near the Canadian border to get the cranberries for her seasonal liqueur. How can you not buy some? Especially since she won't be back before Thanksgiving. Stock. Up.
You didn't think we'd have a Halloween market without some extra special treats, did you?
Brooklyn chocolatier Shimon Pinhas is back spreading his Raw Chocolate Love. Something special parents can indulge in while the kids tear through their Halloween haul. Blondery is bringing her teensy Blondies. Small in size, big on flavor. And, for something that's new and different, try her cake in a jar. Pre-ordering highly recommended!
And just because you're gluten-free, doesn't mean you should miss out on all the treats! Enter Food Cure by Eve (do you sense a theme here?) with her gluten-free cookies (tahini chocolate, pumpkin chocolate) and muffins (PB&J, pumpkin spice and savory garlic and kale for the ultra righteous). She will also be selling cranberry cardamom spice cake by the slice and a gingerbread "skeleton" cake.
We have a special treat that isn't sugary. Leslie Noble, the MOM/head baker behind Noble Pies will be paying us a visit to meet all of the customers who have so enjoyed her handiwork in the last few months. She misses talking to customers face to face. Let's show her some Hastings love! You might want to pre-order their special savory pie this week: it's 12-hour slow-roasted pork, with a home-made barbecue sauce and a thick-cut lattice bacon top. Their sweet special of the week is French Apple: Hudson Valley apples, organic raisins and sour cream.
Finally... we would really love it if you wore a costume to the market on Saturday. Need incentive? The first 100 people who come to the market in costume (and just a mask doesn't count) get to choose between a complimentary apple-cider donut or a miniature decorative gourd.
See you at the market!