this week: TOWER FARMERS MARKET RECIPES

Editor’s note: This week the folks at Tower Farmers Market shared with us some fabulous recipes that take advantage of our garden bounties this summer. Enjoy! - Jean

Blueberry Buckle

The cook is: Jane Sakrison Chilcote

Janna Goerdt got this recipe from family friend Jane Chilcote. It’s a great way to use wild blueberries, or tame ones.

For the bottom and top:
• 1 ½ cup dry oatmeal
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1 ½ Tsp. baking powder

• 1 cup butter, melted

Combine dry ingredients, then mix in butter. Press half the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 8 by 8 inch baking dish, reserve the rest.

For the filling:
• 2 cups blueberries
• 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
• ¾ cup sugar, or a little more or less to
taste
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
• ¼ cup water
Mix the cornstarch and sugar, then add berries, lemon juice and water. Cook over medium heat until thickened. Spread blueberry mixture over the oatmeal crust, then sprinkle the remaining oatmeal mixture over all. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, or until light brown. Enjoy plain, or with vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream.

Raw Beet Salad

The cook is: Mickey White, Embarrass

Mickey is looking forward to making this salad, which is reported to appeal to even those who “hate beets,” according to the New York Times, which recently published the recipe.

• 1/2 pound beets
• 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange
juice
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoon minced chives, mint or parsley
(or a combination)
• Salt to taste
• Leaves of 1 romaine heart
Peel the beets with a vegetable peeler, and grate in a food processor fitted with the shredding blade. Combine the orange juice, lemon juice and olive oil. Toss with the beets and herbs. Season to taste with salt. Line a salad bowl or platter with romaine lettuce leaves, top with the grated beets and serve.

Uncle Harold’s Chili Sauce

The cook is: Suzanne Winckler, Embarrass

Suzanne shares her uncle’s famous chili sauce recipe. Uncle Harold is “99 years old and still gardening in Ohio!” Suzanne said.

CHOP & MIX:
• 24 tomatoes
• 3 green peppers
• 3 onions
ADD:
1 Tbsp. each:
• Salt
• Ground cloves
• Nutmeg
• Ginger
• Allspice
• 1 quart vinegar
• 2 cups sugar
Cook everything for about three hours. Ladle sauce into sterile canning jars, and process according to the instructions for your canner or pressure cooker. Or make up a huge pot of chili and enjoy immediately! Grilled Summer Vegetables The cook is: Ann Flannagan, Tower Ann has been enjoying this simple, fresh recipe lately.
• Assorted vegetables, including green, red,
and/or yellow bell peppers; onions, peas in
the pod; and carrots
• Olive oil
• Red wine vinegar
• Basil
• Salt and pepper
Wash and cut veggies into bite-size pieces. Baste with mixture of olive oil, red wine vinegar, basil, salt and pepper. Saute all over the hot charcoal. We use an iron wok made by area blacksmith Stephen Menart, the blacksmith, who will be demonstrating and selling his wares at Depot Days, July 23, 24 and 25 in Tower.

Italian Sausage and Breakfast Sausage

Mary Ann Wycoff, Embarrass

Mary Ann of Bear Creek Acres in Embarrass, and her husband Shannon, recommend these recipes for using their fresh ground pork.
Shannon’s Breakfast Sausage:
• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 tsp. ground sage
• 1 tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. black pepper
• ¼ tsp. ground red pepper
Mix all the spices, then mix thoroughly into the meat. Shape into five or six patties, and fry until cooked through.
Mary Ann’s Italian Sausage:
• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 tsp. salt
• ¾ tsp. black pepper
• ¼ to ½ tsp. ground red pepper
• ¾ tsp. garlic powder
• ½ tsp. ground fennel
Mix all well and shape into five or six patties, and fry until cooked through. Or try making the patties larger and serving them on hamburger buns with fried onions and peppers. This recipe also makes great meatballs, by adding egg, bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese.

TOWER FARMERS MARKET SPECIAL EVENTS

The Tower Farmers Market is open every Friday from 4-6 p.m., and is located just off of Highway 169, next to the train depot. Come visit us!

BLT Night at Good Ol’ Days

The Tower Farmers Market is also hosting a few special events this summer. On Friday, July 30, join us for BLT Night at the Good Ol’ Days Bar & Grill at 316 Main St. in Tower. The bread, bacon, lettuce and tomatoes will be supplied by market vendors and cooked up by the folks at Good Ol’ Days. Enjoy a tasty, locally-grown sandwich for $5, beginning at 6 p.m. until we run out.

Tomato Tasting at the Market

On Friday, August 13, attend an heirloom tomato tasting right at the market! Taste the difference between a Wapsipinicon Peach tomato, a Black Cherry tomato, a Roman Candle tomato, and many more. Cost is $5 a person for the tasting, which begins at 6 p.m. at the market. A portion of the proceeds from both events will benefit the local food shelf. Call 749-2186 for more information on either event.