Soup fixings and a costume swap at the market this week!

It’s official: my red Staub Dutch oven has taken its place of honor on the rear “simmer” burner of my stovetop, where it will happily preside from now through mid-April, my favorite vessel for all things soup.

The sun stuck around longer than expected but the temperatures have definitely taken a dip to the point where socks are required (the Californian in me waits until the very last moment) and now, when I see the last of the tomatoes and peppers at the market, I’m dreaming of belly-warming “soup” not salad. Salads feel so yesterday.

What’s on my list of soups to make soon? For starters this chicken noodle soup. Yes, it’s the perfect soup to make at the first sign of the sniffles, but it's also your go to soup for comfort and who couldn't use heaping bowls of comfort right now?

Believe it or not, I’ve never been to an Italian wedding (!) nor have I ever tackled classic Italian wedding soup. The latter is easier to solve and I look forward to making this Southern Italian soup in which meat and vegetables are “married” together. Head to R & M for your ground pork. Harlem Valley Homestead also has pork and, by the way, they are having a 20 percent sale on ALL of their meat this week, fyi. HVH and Morgiewicz Produce both have escarole and Morgiewicz’ celery is the talk of the stalks. (important celery side note: if you like Bloody Marys, Bloody Good Mud is here this week).

Pick your favorite bread from Wave Hill or Bien Cuit for dunking.

You can’t beat the beets at Sun Sprout Farm. Grab a bunch to make this gorgeous soup made with beets dill and orange zest. 

Speaking of beets... Jenny from AYA Hummus will be bringing her popular beet lemon spread in a pretty shade of pink, perfect for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

You’ll need the perfect small bowl or vessel for that hummus so be sure to stop at the Chloe Sikirica Pottery tent. 

On the sweet side of market offerings, 3x3 Kitchen is now making pistachio chocolate swirls that are gluten-free. La Petite Occasion is bringing their popular caramel apples which tend to fly, so don’t dawdle. 

Do you have old Halloween costumes at home you don’t know what to do with? Please bring them to the market early Saturday (or drop them off in the bin in the driveway at 56 Sheldon Place before then) for our annual costume swap. You don’t need to bring a costume to take a costume though it helps if you do!

Also, pumpkin carving is in your future: bring your carving knives to our knife sharpener. This is the week we ask our shoppers to donate seasonal produce to our food pantry. We’ll have a big basket set up at the market. Feel free to drop in some potatoes, carrots, celery and other soup fixings!

See you at the market!