Dawn Troutner Toledo Market Master

Market Report for September 12, 2014

Market is winding down, but tables are still full. It has been a funny growing season, with funny weather conditions. It was another wet cold market on Friday night in downtown Toledo. Come on Mother Nature, let the last six weeks of market be dry and pleasantly warm. This week at the Toledo Farmers Market Devin had summer squash, onions, cabbage, broccoli, cucumbers, peppers, kohlrabi, tomatoes, concord grapes, honey dew melons, potatoes, and winter squash. Kristi had her delicious bakery filling her table. Caryn had jams, popcorn, kettle corn, snack mixes and caramel corn.

Darold had pumpkins, cucumbers, summer squash, egg plant, tomatoes, potatoes, and onions.

Chuck and Ginger had pies, honey, popcorn, pumpkins, eggs, gourds, winter squash, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, summer squash, and hot pepper powder.

Dawn had watermelons, crushaw melons, winter squash, white grapes, okra, jams, rosettes, fresh herbs, tomatoes, potatoes, summer squash, peppers, garlic braids, fennel bulbs, Swiss chard, green beans, broccoli, and edamane. Sheryl had pot holders, dish soap aprons, towel sets, ceramics’ bottle lamps, and scrubbies.

Lois, Brenda, Ethan, and Marie had tomatoes, cucumbers, beets, green beans, peppers, egg plant, and zucchini. Vernon and Wilma had eggs and more eggs.

Jim was under his tree with his leather goods. Shirley, Michael and Freddie had Czech bakery. Joe and Barb had egg plant, kale, leeks, black walnut meats, jams, cinnamon rolls. Karen had her soy candle and soy candle products.

That end of the market always smells good. Thea and Will had gourds, tomatoes, fall wreaths, candles, bows, and soaps. And Red Earth Gardens had water melons, onions, tomatoes, ground cherries, carrots, peppers and more peppers, egg plant, potatoes.

As you can see, there is plenty of produce and more at the Toledo Farmers Market on Friday nights from 5-7 pm on the east side of the courthouse.

Tomatoes are every where at the Toledo Farmers Market. All sizes, colors, varieties, and flavor. Most of the tomatoes I grew this season were heirlooms. I love the true tomato flavor you get from an heirloom tomato.

All heirloom varieties are open-pollinated but not all open-pollinated varieties are heirloom varieties.

If you have never tasted an heirloom tomato you have never tasted a real tomato. Sometimes the heirloom tomato is far from beautiful, but who wants to look at a tomato. If I have a tomato I want to eat it in a salad, on a sandwich or just like an apple straight from the plant. Whether you like the hybrid tomatoes or the heirloom tomatoes, time is running out to get them. Be sure to come to the Toledo Farmers Market on Friday nights from 5-7 pm. The last market is October 31, 2014.

Tomato Pie

4 tomatoes, peeled, 10 fresh basil leaves, chopped, half cup of chopped green onion, 1, 9 inch prebaked deep dish pie shell, 1 cup grated mozzarella, 1 cup grated cheddar, 1 cup mayonnaise, and salt and pepper. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the tomatoes in a colander in the sink in 1 layer. Sprinkle with salt and allow to drain for 10 minutes. Layer the tomato slices, basil, and onion in pie shell. Season with salt and pepper. Combine the grated cheeses and mayonnaise together. Spread mixture on top o the tomatoes and bake for 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Enjoy, cut into slices, and serve warm.

See you at market.