As you might expect from a tiny town like Mohawk, this was a tiny market, but props to them for making the effort! And although there weren't a large number of stands like markets I've visited in the Capitol Region, there were a couple of great vendors that make the Mohawk market a valuable place to visit.
The first stand to catch our eye was stacked with breads, cookies, and fudge baked by Colinda's Sweets and Treats from Holland Patent. Here we purchased cinnamon buns. At $4, I thought they were a little pricey, but they were AMAZING. These are not your Pillsbury cinnamon buns. The cinnamon and sugar formed a candy coating around the bottom, and they came with a tub of cream cheese frosting. OMG.
My mom is spreading on the cream cheese frosting... yummm!
Next, we were on the hunt for yellow beans, which are apparently hard to find in the Mohawk Valley this year, according to my grandfather. Seeking out farmstand beans during the summer has been a tradition in my family for as long as I can remember-- at least during the summers when my grandfather didn't just plant them himself.
We struck gold here in Mohawk. One stand stood out from all the rest: Miller's Country Kitchen from Richfield Springs. Stacked on the tables were piles of some of the most beautiful produce to be found... including yellow beans, which my mom bought for $2.50. It's funny that she thought this was expensive, because then I saw them this weekend in Saratoga for $4/box. So stock up while you're in Mohawk!
Check out the delicious produce from Miller's:
Here's our yellow beans! (And some green ones, too!)
It's zucchini season.... brace yourself! (Also notice the picture perfect cherries to the right.)
Miller's apparently makes their own jam.. we didn't buy any, but it looked good.
It's worth it to stop in Mohawk just for Miller's veggies and Colinda's dessert. And it's pretty convenient that it's during the week, so you can stop by to pick something up for dinner. I also hear that Herkimer has a market on Thursdays, and it would be my guess that many of these same vendors would be there, too. I'm excited that the Mohawk Valley has gotten involved in the farmer's market concept, especially considering we are surrounded by so much beautiful farmland. I remember as a kid having to drive out on the highways looking for the farmstands... it's convenient that they're now collecting in one place!
Yes, Zucchini season! I'm growing some in my garden in queens and am testing out new recipes to use it. Any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteThe quickest way is skewer it up and grill it with some olive oil, salt and pepper if you have skinny ones. Or you can batter and pan fry it.. always delicious! (Though not as healthy..)
ReplyDeleteAnother option is to make a zucchini stew... chop up your zucchini and saute it with a little chopped garlic, onion, mushrooms, and if you want, some sausage to give it a little spice (you can use chicken or turkey sausage to be healthier). Then once the meat is brown, add in your tomato sauce, season it as you normally would (basil, salt, pepper, cinnamon, sugar), and simmer. Eat it with a crusty bread.
Finally, you could look up a recipe for zucchini bread... try allrecipes.com. I've never made it myself, but I've eaten it, and it's delicious (add chocolate chips, yum).
Enjoy!