tea – A Slice of Southern Illinois

Posted on February 5, 2022February 5, 2022 by Maracuya 87 — Leave a comment

Farmer’s Market Finds

As you’ve likely heard before, farmer’s markets are a great local shopping adventure. Some are practically one stop for your grocery needs. Even in winter months, the Carbobdale area is blessed to have a couple of farmer’s market options. The Community Farmer’s Market is open December through March from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the movie theater wing of the University Mall at Carbobdale. L.E.A.F. Food Hub is an online farmer’s market with pick up locations in Carbondale, DuQuoin, Carterville, Marion, Herrin, Cobden, and Tunnel Hill. Some home delivery is available.

*Herbal Teas by Mustard Seed Sowers. My favorite is the Holy Basil. Licorice Mint is also good. My daughter loves the Chocolate Mint*.

*Honey & Shrooms has local honey and beeswax.*

Glacier’s End has many wonderful shrubs and products like hickory and elderberry syrups. The Mexican Mocha Hot Sauce is wonderful. Cordials such as their Honeysuckle are great additions to drinks.

*Honeysuckle Cordial complements the flavors in a homemade sparkling raspberry sp*ritzer.

*A large variety of bison products are available.*

*If you have SNAP/Link, it can be used to double your buying power on eligible food products at the Farmer’s Market*

If you have stayed away from Farmer’s Markets because you are concerned about prices, I can tell you that there are various price points. Some gourmet local items may run a bit more than you would spend but can be used sparingly to add flare to your dishes. Many things really don’t seem any higher than national chain store prices. For example, I actually paid less for cube steak at the Farmer’s Market than I would have paid at the larger chain store. Actually, there was a better variety of meat available at the farmers market than at the chain store . Please keep in mind that if you can’t find something on bare shelves at a larger store, you might find an even better local product through one of the local markets or stores.

*Flyway Family Farms has a great variety of mushrooms like shiitake, oyster, and lion’s mane. They also have seasonings and Mushroom Jerky.*

Warm potato and green bean salad made with a vinaigrette containing Glacier’s End’s Apple Butter Ginger Shrub. The Shrub helped to add a bit of acidity to the vinaigrette while echoing the freshly grated ginger root.

Gallo Pinto (Costa Rica’s national breakfast dish) made with brown rice by Cahokia Rice. They also have white rice. Both are available through L.E.A.F. Food Hub.

*Baked Vegetable “Stir Fry” with shiitaki mushrooms from Flyway Family Farms.*

*Marinated shiitaki mushrooms (Flyway Family Farm) and chicken kabobs on Rosemary BBQ Skewers from Flora Bay Farm*

*L.E.A.F. Food Hub goodies delivered to our home.*

Watermelon radish from River to River Farm and Basil Microgreens from Autumn Ridge Farm kick this salsa garnish up a bit. Both were ordered through L.E.A.F. Food Hub.

Big Muddy Hogs in Hurst also carries many local items, such as bread from Baked on Division and Steam Shovel Coffee. They are located at 300 Adams Street. Many of the local farms and vendors give product updates and advise where you may find their products on Facebook and Instagram.

Links:

Big Muddy Hogs https://www.facebook.com/BigMuddyHogs/

Carbondale Community Farmer’s Market https://www.facebook.com/communityfarmersmarket/ http://www.carbondalemarket.com/

L.E.A.F. Food Hub https://www.facebook.com/LEAFFoodHub/ https://www.leaffoodhub.com/

Posted on August 12, 2018August 12, 2018 by Maracuya 87 — Leave a comment

Sunshine and Market Fresh

It was still pretty warm this morning, but the weather was perfect for the Carbondale Farmer’s Market. Despite a late start, I still arrived in time to snap some photos, shop a bit, and get my iced holy basil tea.

Many dogs enjoy walking around the market each week with their humans.

Beautiful fresh flowers from a Carbondale vendor paired with some iced holy basil tea from Mustard Seed Sowers.

Lots of yummy choices from Leepy’s Gourmet Foods.

Southern Que was on site with delicious barbecue.

Mario’s Mama continues to be a favorite among canine shoppers.

One of the talented musicians that entertain shoppers at the market.

Posted on January 26, 2018January 27, 2018 by Maracuya 87 — 1 Comment

The TOSI Challenge Meets the Carbondale Community Farmer’s Market

Last Saturday, I was finally able to spend a little time at the Carbondale Community Farmer’s Market, also affectionately referred to as the winter farmer’s market and indoor market. As many of you know, I’ve been dealing with cancer treatments and restrictions for the past few months that limit my ability to get out and do these kinds of things. Being back at a farmer’s market, even if only for a little while, was a real treat for me.

With so many great ingredients and foods from which to choose, it was the perfect place to resume the TOSI (Taste Of Southern Illinois) Challenge. Instead of eating hazardous household products or engaging in harmful behaviors, this is a more tasteful challenge (pun intended.) Quite simply, The TOSI Challenge is to create foods or meals from ingredients made or grown in Southern Illinois. Use #TOSIChallenge when sharing your creations on social media and when possible, tag or at least identify the Southern Illinois ingredients.

One of my first purchases was a ready-to-bake pizza from Tonight, Pizza Italiana.

These are made in Carbondale and can even be ordered online. I opted for the Margherita pizza. My son has requested to try the Americana version next. Its toppings include hot dog and French fries.

One of my next stops was at Mustard Seed Sowers Farm for some iced holy basil tea. They had other choices, but that was my favorite. Mustard Seed Sowers Farm also had boxes of tea available for sale.

One of the benefits of shopping at the farmers market, besides supporting your community, is that you can speak directly with someone who knows the product. For example, at Honey & Shrooms, you learn the difference between the light and dark honey.

This week, I combined some of the honey I purchased from Honey & Shrooms with shiitake mushrooms from Flyaway Family Farms in a chicken stir fry over rice. I also used some red scallions and garlic that I bought from the nice lady in between Mustard Seed Sowers and Dierks Family Farms.

Fresh dill from All Seasons Farm went into a salmon en papillote weeknight meal over thinly sliced potatoes. I also used some of the red scallions, lemon zest, olive oil, and butter.

Fortunately, my taste buds were working better last Saturday (chemo really wreaks havoc on them,) and I worked up an appetite. Southern Que was the perfect solution. I opted for the half slab of ribs with baked beans and slaw. It was wonderful.

I didn’t leave my fur babies out of the TOSI Challenge. Mario’s Mama was there with treats for dogs and even a few for cats. So, Pokey got a canine-safe iced cookie, and the kitties got tuna melt.

There were many things to see, and even a fitness class. (I was already tired from walking more than usual for now, so I did not participate…) I didn’t manage to get pictures of every vendor, but there is a nice variety.