Robert's Market Report

An occasional report on food finds in Philadelphia & environs
 

This page updated Sept. 20, 2003

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Lycopersicon Esculentum's
 
Last Stand

The curtain is about to fall on the 2003 tomato season, as the sign at L. Halteman Family Country Foods makes clear. Heirlooms, their numbers waning, are showing the scourges of skin cracking and insects (corn is also susceptible to insects late in the season). Still, plenty of non-heirloom varieties are ripe and ready for sauce-making and cooking fresh along with chicken and fish.

Photo by Robert Libkind

More Apple Varieties

Fresh apple cider can be had along with an increasing variety of apples. Visit the South & Passyunk farmer's market or the Reading Terminal for seasonal selections.

Excellent with Cheese

Simple but sophisticated and tasty: A fresh sweet apple and sharp cheddar cheese. Check out the cheddars available at Reading Terminal cheesemongers and in your supermarket's dairy case.

Photo by Robert Libkind

Report from the Paw Paw Patch

Okay, sing after me (repeat the first line of each verse three times before going onto the last:

Where, oh where, of where is Susie?
Way down yonder in the paw-paw patch

Picking up paw-paws, put 'em in a basket.
Way down yonder in the paw-paw patch

Come along, boys, and let's go find her.
Way down yonder in the paw-paw patch

She's a queen of old Hawaii.
Way down yonder in the paw-paw patch

She can teach you how to hulu.
Way down yonder in the paw-paw patch.

 

I remember singing this awful lyric (or at least the first two verses) back in first or second grade. But I didn't know what a paw paw was until a couple years ago, when Earl Livengood starting bringing them to the Reading Terminal Market. These native American fruits will be available for only one or two more weeks at Livengood's Reading Terminal and South & Passyunk stands.

Fair Food Farm Foray

The folks from the Fair Food Project (which brings agricultural products created in a sustainable manner to the Reading Terminal Market every Friday) are off to pick pumpkins Saturday, Oct. 4, at the farm of one of its suppliers. You can join them. The $35 tab includes coffee and muffins before departure from the White Dog Cafe (founding benefactor of the FFP), transportation via school bus to Fred DeLong's Chester County farm, and a box lunch. The price of pumpkins picked and produce purchased at Phred's pharm come from your personal pocket. To make reservations (space limited) call (215) 386-5211.

Thanksgiving Alert

The South Jersey cranberrry harvest starts the first week of October!

Oops!

We goofed in the Sept. 12 update identifying the location of this cornucopia of winter squashes as the Italian Market. Instead, the sweet Delicata, Golden Nugget and Butternut squashes can be found at Earl Livengood's, either at the South & Passyunk market on Tuesdays, 2-7 p.m., or at the Reading Terminal Market on Saturdays.

Photo by Robert Libkind

 

Recipes

Guacamole
Serves 4 as appetizer

The hardest part of making Guacamole (and it's not really hard) is picking out the avocado. With Haas avocados, you want to select fruit that, when gently pressed, gives slightly. If it's totally soft, it's probably turned into battery acid; if it's rock hard, it's indigestible. Prepare this dish immediately before serving. If you must make it in advance, don't hold it for longer than two hours in the fridge, with plastic wrap firm against the surface of the guacamole. (Don't believe the advice to place the pit into the guacamole to keep it fresh; it doesn't work.)

Haas Avocados, 2
Onion, minced, 1/4 cup (optional)
Garlic, minced, one clove (optional)
Juice of one lime
Caynne pepper, dash
Salt, pepper to taste
Cilantro, chopped, for garnish
  1. Mince onion and, if desired, garlic.
  2. Cut avocado in half lengthwise, going around the large pit in the middle. When sliced, gently hold both halves and twist to free. Remove pit.
  3. Place avocado in mixing bowl with onion and garlic, pour juice in. Mash with a fork until it reaches the desired consistency – which is any way you like it. Some want it very smooth, others like it a bit chunkier. Add caynne, salt and pepper to taste, stir to mix.
  4. Top with cilantro garnish and serve immediately.

Another possible garnish: chop a seeded tomato.

 

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Unless otherwise noted, prices are per pound, and all reports and comments are based on personal visits. Prices, of course, are subject to wild fluctuation, and what's here today at 49 cents may be unavailable at any price tomorrow. So don't sue me if you don't see it at the price quoted here, because it will cost you lawyers' fees.

If you have a report you'd like to add, or any comments about the usefulness (or lack thereof) of this site, just contact me. I would particularly welcome reports on the various small farmer markets around the city and nearby suburbs.

If you would like to receive an e-mail to notify you when updated reports are available, just contact me.

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© Robert Libkind, 2003
rlibkind@yahoo.com