Bluegrass Farmers Market

Well, it looks like another year is about to be behind us. It's been an exciting year for the Bluegrass Farmers' Market! Azur Restaurant & Patio welcomed us for a second market location. Pedal the Planet and Fast Signs welcomed us back with open arms. We thank them both for the opportunity they gave our farmers to make homegrown goodness available to our customers. Looking forward to 2015 at both locations!

New Year's traditions...does your family have any? Our family always made sure that pickled herring was the first thing you put into your mouth on January 1^st. That meant a cracker and herring right after the stroke of midnight. Have to admit that as a child I wasn't to fond of the idea. Lol I have no idea where this tradition came from but I guess it had something to do with my family being Swedish. I can even remember when my grandparents moved to North Carolina and they couldn't find any at the local Piggly Wiggly. My mom had to mail them a “care” package from Long Island...heaven forbid you should start the new year without the dreaded pickled herring! Lol

I asked a few of my friends if their families had any traditions and I got some great answers. Just thought I would share a few of them with you. This one comes from an internet friend of mine across the pond...England! I got a big kick out of it! In her exact words... “We have First Foots (or Lucky Birds as they are known in Yorkshire). These are men who go around knocking on doors after midnight on New Years Eve/New Year's Day. They give you a piece of coal to symbolise that you will have warmth all year, some salt which symbolises food (preservative), and a coin to symbolise riches. In return you give them a glass of whisky to toast the family with.  Traditionally they should be tall, young, handsome, virile young strangers and must be the first person over your threshold after midnight..

After the first foot has been around people usually congregate in the street to celebrate, joining arms and dancing in a ring whilst singing Auld Lang Syne.

Another tradition, although I don't know how widespread it is, is to send the children outside to look for the man with all the noses - telling them he has a nose for each day of the year. They have to spot him before twelve noon. They usually fall for this for years before they realise that as it is now the first day of the year he only has one nose and not the 365 they were expecting. It does get them out of the house and from under your feet while you are making lunch though.”

Another friend shared her families tradition with me and this one sounds like a great way to spend New Year's Eve! “What we do during the year is write down the fun things we've done (movie stubs, etc.), put them in a bank in my room, and open and read them New Year's Eve. Brings back good memories of what we've done during the year.”

I do know that many New Year's Day meals follow a tradition too. Pork, sauerkraut and black eyed peas are a must have in many homes, ours included. Thought I would share a recipe from Herb'n Renewal...

Hoppin John

1 lb. Dried black eyed peas, soaked in water overnight and drained.

2 qts. Water

1/2 lb. Country ham, cubed

14.5 oz. Can of diced tomatoes, drained

1 Tbsp. Bacon drippings

1 medium onion, diced

1 cup white rice

2 Tbsp. Rub'n Season Herb'n All

In a 4 quart pot, bring water, peas and ham to a boil; reduce heat, stir, cover and simmer for 1 hour. Saute' onion in bacon drippings for 5 minutes. Add to pot along with rice, tomatoes and seasoning. Return to a boil; reduce heat, stir, cover and simmer for an additional 20-30 minutes or until rice is tender. Let stand for 5 or 10 minutes before serving. This recipe makes about 3 quarts. New Year's tradition...peas for luck and rice for prosperity!

Wishing you all a very healthy, happy and prosperous 2015,

Karin, your friendly BGFM blog gal

~*~ We'll see you in the spring! ~*~

Which by the way is only 78 days away!