Bluegrass Farmers Market

Yes they are!

One of our customers shared a recipe with me last week and I have to admit that it sounds like an odd combination but I was assured that it is wonderful and can't wait to try it. I'm going to pass it on to you so that you can add some items to your farmers market shopping list.

Watermelon Tomato Salad

5 cups seedless watermelon, cubed

1 pint grape or pear tomatoes

1 small red onion, chopped

¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

¼ cup fresh basil, minced

2 tablespoons lime juice

Combine the watermelon, tomatoes and onion in a large bowl. Mix the parsley, basil and lime juice in a small bowl. Pour this over the watermelon mixture and toss. Refrigerate for one hour before serving.

Thank you Glenn for sharing one of your favorite market recipes!

The great part is you'll be able to find the watermelon, tomatoes, onion and basil at the market during the week!

Hey but that's not all you'll find! Look for...

corn...yellow, white and bi-color!

tomatoes in all sizes and shapes...heirloom too!

peppers..hot, sweet, green, red, yellow and heirloom!

squash...Patty Pan, Magda, Cousa and even some good old zucchini!

potatoes...freshly dug in every size, shape and color!

okra...maybe a gumbo or a southern favorite, fried!

raspberries...red, yellow and all sweet!

rhubarb...think pies!

jams and jellies!

baked goods!

fresh cut flowers!

And, look for much more at our Saturday market!!!

Market Hours

Tuesday 3 – 6:30

Saturday 9 – 2

You'll find us in the beautiful tree lined parking lot of Pedal the Planet and Fast Signs, next to the Glenn Auto Mall on Richmond Rd. We're just a hop, skip and a jump outside of Man 'O War Blvd.

Thursday 4 – 6:30

We'll be set up in the parking lot of the Fayette County Health Department on Newtown Pike.

There's always plenty of free and convenient parking available. We're also very stroller and wheelchair friendly. And, don't forget to bring your four-legged friends...we're a petting bunch of farmers!

Lexington's only 1000% homegrown/produced farmers market!

We take great pride in the fact that each member is certified Kentucky Proud!

Chances are this will be the last week for strawberries. I'm gonna miss those beautiful red ripe strawberries but my mouth is watering just thinking about the blueberries that will make their first presence at the market tomorrow! Blueberries are my very most favorite of all. Here's a super simple recipe that is always a crowd pleaser.

Blueberry Crisp

4 cups fresh blueberries

1 cup all purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup mayonnaise

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place blueberries into an 8 inch square baking dish. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar and cinnamon. Stir in the mayonnaise and mix until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over the top of the blueberries. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the top is lightly browned. Serve with whipped cream. This recipe will serve 4 unless you are like me, then it will only serve 2!

Unfortunately strawberries aren't the only treat that will be making their last appearance at the market for the season. The asparagus will probably only be with us for this week and then they will be gone until next spring. Buy a bunch and freeze them for use during the winter. I just blanch mine for 2-4 minutes depending on the size, then give them an ice bath dunk. Pat them dry and spread them out on a cookie sheet and pop it into the freezer. Once they are frozen solid just put them in a plastic storage bag to keep in your freezer. That way you can just pull out the amount that you need for each meal.

The wonderful sugar snap peas and the snow peas can be frozen the same way...you'll find them at the market tomorrow too! And, don't forget about the rhubarb! Think strawberry rhubarb pie...yummy!

The Tuesday market hours are 3pm until 6:30pm...shop on your way home from the office!

Stay tuned for the Saturday market offerings and remember...

The Bluegrass Farmers' Market is 100% homegrown or produced and we are all

Kentucky Proud!

Yes, it's hard work but all you have to do is look at the smiling faces of our farmers and know that the members of the Bluegrass Farmers Market love what they do! They grow, they create, they bake, they raise and they come together each Tuesday from 3 until 6:30 and every Saturday from 9 until 2 to share all of their hard work with you. Smiles are free!

This Saturday you'll be able to find wonderful strawberries, crisp lettuce and garden greens, crunchy spring green onions, bright green spinach and broccoli, snappy peas, rhubarb for that pie and fresh cut herbs! No tomatoes or corn because we only sell what we grow and they just aren't in season in Kentucky yet. But hang in there, they're coming soon!

Want to grow your own fruits and veggies? We'll have berry plants and loads of tomato and pepper plants...even heirlooms! Think maybe you need to dress up your yard, deck or planters with some color? You'll be able to find a great variety of beautiful plants, hanging baskets and even some tropicals!

Maybe you're looking for a great loaf of home baked bread, or jams and jelly. How about some golden honey? Or maybe some herb seasoning. Beautiful dried beans ready for the soup kettle. Or maybe just some homemade soap. Heck, we even have Llama poo! Don't laugh, it's a great fertilizer for your garden. And you should see what can be created with the Llama wool!!!

The best part is we are all Kentucky Proud and we take it seriously! So plan to make a stop at Lexington's only 100% homegrown/produced farmers market this week. You'll leave smiling cause the farmer that grew that veggie or made that bread will be smiling at you the whole time. In case you haven't noticed, we love what we do and we love to talk about it. So a visit to the Bluegrass Farmers Market is also an educational trip!

Hope to see you at our Saturday market located in the tree lined parking lot of Fast Signs and Pedal the Planet, next to Glenn Auto Mall on Richmond Rd. There's plenty of parking available. I'll update and let you know what you'll find at the Tuesday market as soon as I find out what my farmer friends will be bringing.

Happy 100% local...guaranteed!