One Last Post!

Final thoughts and pics from the Columbia Farmers' Market ..... If you've studied our posts in the past, you know that LFLF has to check out the baked goods!  Each state has their own regulations as to kitchen inspections & what can safely be sold at farmers' markets.   Just take a look at part of the selections from these next two vendors.  We confirmed that this is, in fact, Grandma Barb behind the table loaded down with terrific breads & cookies.  If we were closer to home, several loaves would have headed for our freezer to be warmed up when it gets colder.   You can hear a little of this vendor's story here. 
A week later and we're still nibbling on crackers from this display below.  They were the perfect travel food.

And now, finally on to the late season favorites of LFLF ..... winter squashes and pumpkins.  All I can say is WOW!  This has to be one of the most colorful gatherings of heirloom and specialty squashes that we've seen in a long time.  There will always be a place for the deep orange field pumpkins and the small sugar pie pumpkins, but LFLF gravitates to the really cool varieties of winter squash.  Most of them are great for cooking after they've been used for fall Thanksgiving table displays.  

If these folks weren't so busy, it would have been interesting to hear their recommendations for sourcing seeds.  For this kind of variety, we think of Seed Savers Exchange & Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.   If you're a grower, maybe you know of other good sources.   See how many you can identify from the catalogs!  

NAME THAT SQUASH!

This was a great "producer only" market and we didn't even talk about the pecans, cut flowers, herbs, & oyster mushrooms that were offered for sale!  "Highly recommended" if you're in the area or if you're a resident or student local to Columbia, MO .............