In Season - Peaches

Few things are more quintessentially summer than a sweet peach, with it's juice dripping down your hand as you bite into it, still warm from the market stand on a hot summer's day.

We eat quite a few peaches in the summer, usually just as they are, but occasionally they are enjoyed with our morning yogurt, or on top of our pancakes, drizzled with maple syrup.

Even their colouring is summery.

I think this week I may even can some peaches. I think the boys would love a few jars of peaches with a vanilla bean syrup for over ice cream, or even some peach jam, which would be a first for me.

And speaking of canning, I've discovered that we have what I believe to be a Crab Apple tree in our yard. Not only does this mean that I will be trying to make a batch or two of Crab Apple Jelly, but it means that we will have a tree that will be in bloom in the Spring.

This weekend we stopped by a local flea market. I brought home a small little basket for $5. It's actually the perfect little basket to ripen fruit in. It's often thought that the best way to ripen tomatoes or peaches would be to place them on a sunny windowsill. But actually, these fruits ripen best when stored in a paper bag in a dark place. So far, this little basket has worked well. Right now I have some beautiful Heirloom tomatoes ripening that I can't wait to enjoy.

Looking at this photo of my kitchen, I just realized that I really need to get around to sharing more before photos. Hopefully I will be able to share more soon.

In Season

This weekend I stopped by one of the many farm stands down the road from us.

Whatever it is, be it the first ripe strawberries of late Spring, or crisp apples in Autumn, the anticipation of local fruit and vegetables being in season is always a wonderful thing.

And right now, there are countless things available to enjoy. I love being able to shop for all my produce and know that it's been grown in my own neighborhood. We live in the Niagara Green Belt, where perfect climates allow for us to grow a vast array of delicious crops.

This week, the board with the list of local produce available exceeded 25 items! 

Here's what came home in my basket.

Peaches are ripe for the picking and boy, do we love a ripe, juicy peach! Tonight we're going to try them grilled and drizzled with honey.

Strawberries are still available too. These barely make it home from the stand.

Roasted is really the only way I will eat brussel sprouts, though I have occasionally had them in a salad. I also want to try some refrigerator pickles, so I picked up some fresh dill and lots of garlic!

My Roma tomatoes are simmering on the oven with lots of garlic and fresh basil. I'd like to pick up at least another bushel and can some as tomato sauce and pizza sauce. And with all the tomatoes and peppers available, I think I might even try some salsa this year!

We also love blueberries! 

Some garlic and pretty, purple potatoes.

And lots of fragrant Basil, which was enjoyed that night with fresh mozzarella on homemade pizza.

They also had these white Begonias. They are beautiful, full baskets with pretty hanging blooms. And they were only $10!

I have a cabinet with shelves I'd like to bring in to use in our cold cellar. It will be perfect for all the canning I've been dreaming about doing!

An Afternoon in the Strawberry Fields

The boys and I spent an afternoon a few weeks ago picking strawberries at a farm down the road from us.

I had planned on picking them before we went to the cottage, so when I wasn't able to get around to it, I was afraid that by the time I got back, the season would be over.

Fortunately, though they weren't picking any more for the stand, I was allowed to head out and see what I could find.

Luckily for us, the plants were still full of plump, ripe berries, sweet from the summer's sun.

We took our time filling our baskets, sampling a few here and there. Is there anything more wonderful than a just-picked strawberry?

Next to a buffet of delicious berries, the golf cart ride out to the back field was a highlight for the boys.

Most of our berries were canned as Strawberry jam, but a few pints were frozen for a couple special desserts. Maybe a strawberry pie or a crumble?

The Market Stand

Fall has arrived at The Market Stand!

This is my sister Becki, her husband Nate, and their handsome son Levi. 

This past summer they started The Market Stand on their property in Fenwick. You can find everything from seasonal local produce, baked goods, flowers and farm fresh eggs.

Becki sources local fruits and vegetables that are in season from local farmers each day. The Niagara Region boasts an abundance of produce throughout the Spring, Summer and Fall months, so the stand is always changing.

The Market Stand is stocked with everything you need to welcome Autumn! An assortment of garden mums, pumpkins and gourds are ready to transform your porch for Fall. Apples, pears and squash are are perfect for those crumbles, pies and soups that this season calls for. Pick up a package of homemade ginger molasses cookies, or a sweet, gooey butter tart made with real maple syrup for later with coffee. Place your order now for fresh baked pies for Thanksgiving!

They're located on the corner of Highway 20 and Victoria Ave in Fenwick and are open Monday to Saturday from 8 to 6.

Stop in and bring home some Fall!

   

My mom does all of the canning (using the local produce from the stand) as well as all of the baking. What's available is always changing. There's always an assortment of cookies, and fresh butter tarts though and occasionally you can pick up a warm apple crisp or a pie, but they never last long.

My dad keeps the stand colorful with an assortment of mums and cut sunflowers, all of which are tucked among his ever-growing collection of antique implements.

Follow The Market Stand on Facebook for updates on what's in season and available!