HILLSBOROUGH — Dave Ramirez is no superhero, although he was in control of the “flame-on” command at the pepper roaster and he was quite popular among those who wanted to be rescued from the dastardly clutches of the summer food doldrums.

Read more: The Herald-Sun – PEPPERFEST HEATS UP ENO RIVER MARKET

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 pts. cherry tomatoes, stemmed, rinsed, and dried
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Heat the oil in a heavy skillet. Add the tomatoes and raise the heat. Shake and roll the tomatoes around in the oil until they are shiny and heated through, not more than 5 minutes. Do not overcook. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

When I heard the Eno River Farmers Market was offering online ordering, I was super excited. I love getting fresh, local produce, but I can’t often make the Saturday market hours offered by the bevy of local farmers markets. But ordering what I’d like Sunday or Monday and picking it up during the Wednesday market between 4 and 7 p.m.? That sounds perfect. So, once ordering opened, I decided to give it a try. Well, that’s not quite true. I waited until almost the last minute Monday evening to give it a whirl.

But it was awesome.
more…

• 2 leeks, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup thinly sliced potatoes
• 2 1/2 cups chicken stock
• salt and pepper
• 1 cup heavy cream

Directions

Over medium-low heat, saute the leeks and the onion in the butter until soft and translucent. Do not let them brown. Add potatoes and stock to the saucepan. Add salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, very gently for 30 minutes. Puree in a blender until very smooth. Cool. Stir in the cream before serving.

Eno River Farmers Market offers kids organic fun

Published On 06-02-2010 , 10:07
Bugs, Butterflies & Root Crops to Star in “Enchantment Under the Soil” at the Eno River Farmers Market

The Eno River Farmers Market in downtown Hillsborough is unearthing the secrets of the soil on June 12. As potatoes, onions, and other favorite subterranean vegetables start to surface, the market will celebrate bugs, caterpillars, all the creepy-crawly helpers that make their homes in organic soil.

Soil life is the foundation of sustainable farming; the complex eco-system of worms, bugs, butterflies, and micro-organisms are what make organic growing possible. On June 12, from 8 am to noon, the market will host demonstrations and activities for kids and adults about these wriggly miracles.

At 10 a.m., Muriel Williams will lead a workshop on composting. She will highlight the advantages of converting your food and garden waste into nutrient-rich soil. She will also teach methods for setting up a simple, easy-to-use composting system at home.

At 10:30 a.m., Williams will lead kids in a composting exploration. Make sure they have their play clothes on, because things are going to get dirty! Kids will learn, play, and get their hands in the dirt, exploring everything creepy and crawly that helps convert plants into compost. (Hand-washing facilities will be available!)

Suzanne Tilton, “the Butterfly Lady,” will be on hand displaying butterflies, caterpillars, and cocoons, and talking about butterfly gardening. Market-goers of all ages will enjoy observing and learning about Monarch eggs, caterpillars, chrysalises and adult butterflies, along with other species. Suzanne will help kids and adults hold caterpillars and feel their tickly feet. At 11:30, she will lead a butterfly release.

Vendors will be getting in the act as well. Stephany Weston, the Queen of Tartes, will be making themed cupcakes for bug-crazed kids. Debra Wuliger of Winking Moon Garden will lead kids in bug-related craft activities.

Chris McKinley of Box Car Farms will lead cooking demonstrations highlighting potatoes, garlic, onions, and root crops including beets and turnips. He will offer new twists on cooking with these sub-soil favorites.

In addition, the market vendors will have their usual abundance of fresh, local vegetables, pasture-raised meats, crafts, and baked goods.

The Eno River Farmers Market offers farm-fresh, sustainably grown produce, cheese, meat, eggs, baked goods, prepared foods, and crafts from local growers and producers. It is open to vendors who reside and produce the items they sell within a 60-mile radius of Hillsborough, NC. Vendors must be the original producer of their items.

For more information about Enchantment Under the Soil and the Eno River Farmers Market, visitwww.enoriverfarmersmarket.com.