Who's Coming to Market? Rebert Farm/Benny's Produce Stand and Golden Leaf Farms

Rebert's Farm/Benny's Produce Stand will be with us for the final Market of our regular season (don't forget about our two special Markets in November and December!) They'll have a fantastic selection of apples -- this time with the addition of fuji and granny smith varieties. They'll also have pears, a variety of winter squash, gourds, Indian corn, and fresh pressed cider. We love Rebert's apples -- we've tried all sorts of varieties in the past weeks and there hasn't been anything we've disliked. Make sure to pick up some squash, as well as some indian corn and gourds for decorating! We're also very excited about the return of Golden Leaf Farms! The bees have been busy, and we'll be enjoying the fruits of their labor this Saturday. Here's your chance to do your best Winnie the Pooh imitation!

See you at the Market!

What to do with...chestnuts

At the last Cheverly Community Market, Al Pong had some real treasures: gorgeous, juicy Asian pears, lovely plants and...chestnuts. For people who have lived in New York City, the smell of roasting chestnuts embodies the holiday season -- many a child has swooned at the smell emanating from corner vending carts as they get pulled through crowded streets. Personally, I'll always associate this -- one of my favorite odors -- with field trips to Lincoln Center in 5th and 6th grades. Heaven!

Chestnuts have been a treat since the 1450s, when they were eaten in the Piedmont region of Italy. In Louis XIV's court, they were made into marron glace -- glazed, candied chestnuts -- that are still enjoyed today. They're also commonly used in stuffings, preserves, puddings and sauces. Low in fat and calories, chestnuts are the only nuts that contain vitamin C.

There are a lot of great sources of information about chestnuts and some great recipes, too. Try cooks.com for a start and see where that leads!

We love to hear from our vendors! Here's a note from Eileen Shlagel of Shlagel Farms...

Hello Cheverly! The sun is finally shining again. I hope that it lasts until Saturday! We have covered up some of the more tender produce to protect it from these chilly mornings, so we will have all of the usual: collard greens and kale, turnips with greens attached, beets, cabbage, limas; shelled and unshelled, green beans, tomatoes, large and small, green, red and yellow, summer squash, winter squash to include butternut, acorn and spaghetti, broccoli, cider, mums, peppers; red, green and speciality, eggplant, and maybe a small amount of corn. If anyone would like a straw bale at $6.00 each to decorate their yard with, let me know and I'll bring them on my truck. See you on Saturday; rain or shine.

Shlagel Farms has great pumpkin patch activities through the month of October. Visit Saturday or Sunday, 10:00am-5:00pm (or during the week by appointment). For just $6/person, enjoy hayrides, a petting zoo, and a straw maze (for the kids). Bring old clothes and make a scarecrow, or pick your own pumpkin and paint it! Seasonal produce, mums and -- of course -- pumpkins are also available. Stop by their stand this weekend for a coupon for $1 discount off every admission, or go to their website for more details about this fun fall activity!

See you Saturday for our last regular Market of the season!

(and remember, we have two special Markets in November and December)

Who's Coming to Market? Simple Pleasures Ice Cafe!

This is Baruck. He's a big fan of ice cream. Market regulars Simple Pleasures Ice Cafe, to be specific. Well, Baruck is in luck this Saturday (and so are we)! Simple Pleasures will be with us for the final regular season Market this Saturday (remember: two special Markets coming up in November and December!) They'll have some very special fall flavors, including Sweet Potato Pecan, Sweet Potato, Pumpkin, Pumpkin Ginger, Apple, Sracciatella, Vanilla, Strawberry, and Chocolate. The pumpkin, sweet potato, and apple are produce from Shlagel Farms. Simple Pleasures will also have take -home container specials.... Five scoop sampler $5.00, Quart $8.00, and 1/2 gallon $16.00. Advance orders are available via email or telephone (301-809-6988).

See you this Saturday at the Market!

Who's Coming to Market this Week: Pax River Alpacas!

The alpacas are coming! The alpacas are coming!

Pax River Alpaca Farm is back for our final regular Market of the season (don't forget -- we have two special Markets in November and December!) The weather is finally right for these lovely animals to be comfortable outside at our Market. They're always popular with the kids! Pax River brings absolutely gorgeous yarns to us -- both natural and hand-dyed (some kool-aid dyed, too -- the process makes for vibrant colors). A few skeins of Pax River Alpaca yarn would make a lovely gift for any knitter on your list...and if you're a knitter yourself, this is the perfect time to get supplies for those hand-made holiday gifts. Pax River also has a wonderful children's book, hand-felted items (look for their tiny pumpkins!) and other wonderful treasures...it's definitely not too early to work on your holiday gift list!

See you Saturday at the Market!

Who's Coming to Market: Elk Run Vineyards!

Elk Run Vineyards joins us again for our last regular Market of the season (remember, we still have two special Markets -- Thanksgiving and Holiday -- left this year!) We are thrilled that they're joining us this Saturday. Elk Run Vineyards, named one of the Top 100 Wineries on the East Coast, has recently won many awards, including the 2009 Silver Ranking in the Maryland Governor's Cup and Gold Ranking in the World Wine Competition for their 2007 vintage Cabernet Franc, as well as 2009 Gold Rankings from the International Taster's Guild and the Winemasters Choice for their 2007 vintage Cabernet Sauvignon (see their website for a complete list of prizes.) Located in Mt. Airy, the vineyard has regular wine tastings and many other events, including the upcoming Annual Champagne Release (November 15) and Dickens Open House (December 5-6). Visit their website for details and tasting room hours. And keep an eye out for State Delegate Jolene Ivey and Market Manager Crystal Lal on Prince George's County Cable. They're being interviewed about the Market and legislation that Delegate Ivey is working on to improve rules concerning special permitting laws for wineries and their ability to sell at markets such as ours.

See you Saturday at Cheverly Community Market!

Chestnut Hill Honey available exclusively at the Market's ChvBrew

Our favorite coffee guy, ChvBrew's Dan Scott (a true foodie in his own right), loves family businesses. Last summer, his young daughter had a great lemonade stand at the Market. This year, we've been treated to another Scott family creation, Chestnut Hill Honey. Delicious, and available only at Cheverly Community Market. Stop by ChvBrew at the Market this Saturday -- enjoy a cup of delicious Mayorga coffee and pick up a jar or two of the best honey around!

(I'm enjoying some drizzled over Greek yogurt, nuts and dried fruit for breakfast!)