By Sue Davis
For The Salisbury Post
Last week, the breeze was cold and a mist of rain fell as a small number of vendors displayed fall vegetables, breads, plants and crafts.
Seng Yeng’s fresh flowers created the brightest spot. How could you miss taking home a fresh bouquet of delicate flowers on a crisp fall morning? The beautiful blooms from her cut flower garden made me think of the many months when the Salisbury Farmers Market was the ideal place to be on Saturday morning. Even though the favorites of the summer season are no longer available, this is a good time to come to the market.
Eagle Farms is offering a unique grouping of greens, peppers, tomatoes, apples and other delights. Local farmers have pumpkins, greens, late season peas and beans. Owen’s Greenhouse and Joyce’s Greenhouses have fall plants and winter hearty pansies.
The real stars of the fall market are the fresh baked goods and crafts. Cakes, breads, bars and pies made from local fruit, grain and produce make this time of year special. You can’t beat the creativity found in the candy apple pie at The Bread Basket or the pumpkin pie from How Sweet It Is. Frogholler Farms has a grouping of embroidered guest towels, bamboo fiber wash cloths, herbal fresheners and lavender wands. She will also take special orders to help lessen your holiday shopping chores.
New this week
Old fashioned, iced, cut-out Halloween sugar cookies at How Sweet It Is and Smores Granola with peanuts, chocolate chips and marshmallows at the Bread Basket are what is new this week. New craft vendors appear every week. The new vendors, along with the crafts of Mrs. Booker and Frogholler Farms, have a wide selection of items for the home and gifts to give you an early start with your Christmas shopping.
Fresh fruits and vegetables
The variety of greens is becoming smaller. Eagle Farms has turnip greens and tender greens, turnips, tomatoes, cucumbers, summer squash, zucchini, sweet peppers and potatoes. Several varieties of pink and purple hull peas, crowder peas and October beans are all available.
It’s apple season, and the selection is good. Try mixing green tomatoes with apples in a traditional apple pie or making a savory fall chutney from apples, pears or green tomatoes. Pumpkins are also available for carving and cooking.
Dawn’s Greenhouse will be at the market Wednesday with fresh cut herbs and herb plants, which can be kept all winter in a kitchen garden. She hopes to return to the Saturday market on closing day, Oct. 31.
Breads, pasta, meats and eggs
The Bread Basket has eggs and fresh baked whole wheat, multigrain, sourdough and specialty breads. How Sweet It Is has multiple varieties of flat breads for a savory lunch treat. Chris’ muffins are good with a cup of coffee or tea in both late morning and late afternoon.
Fall at the Salisbury Market is a reminder of the diverseness of our community. The fall market days are not like the summer market days when you come can spend hours visiting and shopping. Our fall farmers market shows us the colors of fall, the clever crafts of our neighbors and the smells of a crisp autumn morning. You can enjoy the market for two more weeks. Oct. 31 is our last market day this year.
The Farmers Market is located in downtown Salisbury at the corner of South Main and Bank streets. It is open from 7 a.m. to noon each week on Wednesday and Saturday.