Honey Recipes

Traditionally and by necessity, in times past African Americans in the Sandhills of North Carolina used the "natural resources from the forests, waters, and fields around them to sustain life and heal themselves" (Jenkins, 2003).  One such resource was honey.  "Honey from the forest could sweeten an herbal tea or kiss a hot biscuit" (Mitchell, 2008).  According to a National Honey Board survey, African Americans are returning to their roots and using more honey in recent years than in the not too distant past.  


In celebration of National Honey Month (September) and the many uses of honey, a few links to some tasty recipes (the honey yeast rolls look amazing) and alternative uses of honey are posted below.  We would love to hear how you use honey in cooking, for health, or as a beauty treatment!


Links
http://www.southernliving.com/food/kitchen-assistant/honey-recipes-00417000068876/
http://www.honey.com/nhb/recipes/
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Natural-Health/1999-02-01/Honey-Benefits.aspx


References
Jenkins, Ammie (2003).  Sandhills Family Legacies Volume One. Healing from the Land.  
Mitchell, Patricia B. (1993).  Soul on Rice.  African Influences on American Cooking.  

National 5-A-Day Month

Ed and Hermilio selling hot peppers at the Sandhills Farmers Market in Spring Lake.  

September is National 5-A-Day Month, Fruit and Vegetable Month, and even Organic Harvest Month! How do you plan to get your 5-a-day?  Here are a few suggestions! 

• Eat seasonally!  Fresh fruits and veges are less expensive and healthier when you buy them in season!
• Follow a recipe.  Have fun with fresh fruits and veges by trying something new!
• Visit a farmers market or farm and get to know your grower!
• Start a garden.  Make fresh foods a family affair and grow a few vegetables. 
• Add fresh or dried fruit to your cereal. 

For more information:

http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/

http://www.ota.com/news/ohmcalendar.html

http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/gottobe/

http://www.ncfarmfresh.com/

http://www.ncagr.gov/htm/educational.htm

Photo by Ammie Jenkins. 

"Fresh Ingredients for Good Food"

Julia Child once said, "You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients".  Even as late summer begins its seasonal transition into early fall, North Carolina farmers markets still have plenty of "fresh ingredients for good food"!  Summer favorites like tomatoes and peppers continue to hold court on market tables well into fall and cool weather favorites like collards, turnips, mustard greens and onions become increasingly abundant. Crisp pears and apples replace sweet peaches and juicy berries.  The old Southern favorite, the muscadine grape, makes a brief appearance in September. Last but not least, the sweet potato begins a long harvest period and will be  available for months to come.  

Want to know what's in season year-round in North Carolina?  Follow this link to see fruit and vegetable availability.     http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/chart.htm 

If you're in the Fayetteville, NC area, the Sandhills Farmers Market of Spring Lake is open Saturdays from 9am until 2pm.  We are located at 230 Chapel Hill Road in the Spring Lake city limits. Call us for more information - 910-436-3406.  Would you like to receive our weekly newsletter "Market News"?  Send us your email to sign up.  Email:  sandhillsfamily1@yahoo.com .  Photo by Starr Oldorff..  

The Value of Trees

SFHA Board Chair Betty McMillan, Jeff Bolton, and
SFHA Executive Director Ammie Jenkins in front
of a Sandhills region pine forest.  

Posted by Starr Oldorff.  Ben Franklin once said "time is money".  In North Carolina, trees are money.  According to the NCFS website, the forest products industry is the largest business in the state, contributing about $30 million annually to North Carolina's economy and providing over 100,000 jobs for North Carolinians.  The NCFS website is full of  related resources and educational information.

The North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS) has asked that SFHA share information about North Carolina's Present-Use Valuation Property Tax Program with farmers, forest owners, members, and anyone who cares about trees and there economic and environmental impact. Follow this links below for more information.



Links:

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/forestry/resources/publications/economics_and_taxes.php

http://ncforestservice.gov/about_ncdfr.htm
http://ncforestservice.gov/links.htm

Hurricane Irene in NC News

As eastern North Carolina awaits the departure of Hurricane Irene so that we can all go out and access the damage, it is appropriate to consider this week's NC agricultural headlines put together by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.

News Roundup: Aug. 20-26

Late August at the Sandhills Farmers Market

Okra...No Room For In Between



Okra plant with pod.



Okra is just one of those things in life that you just love or hate....like or dislike....no riding the middle. The slender, green pods look different, the name is different, and its cooking characteristics are different (translates slimy when you cut it).  But different can be a good thing, especially in the heat of the summer when the thought of more grilled squash or another tomato sandwich becomes a gastronomical challenge.  

For those unfamiliar often maligned vegetable, okra is a relative of hibiscus and cotton.  Each morning, wherever a pod will grow, a beautiful, pale yellow, tropical-looking flower with a crimson center blossoms, only to fall off by lunchtime.  It is of African origin, and was brought to America by African slaves.  It can be fried, pickled, canned, frozen, marinated, served raw in salads, and even grilled.  This “soul food” staple is easy to grow and can be grown in the South from May until the first frost.  Farmers markets in the South have an abundance of this versatile vegetable during those months.   

After asking around the farmers market for local recipes, I found that a few of the favorite, more traditional ways to eat okra in the South is fried or stewed with tomatoes.  Grilled okra brushed with butter and seasoned with Old Bay is my new personal favorite. (Of course, anything seasoned with Old Bay is a favorite!)  Some version of the  following recipe for fried okra comes up frequently in recipe exchanges.  It is easy to make and perfect for laid-back, summertime cooking.

Fried Okra

Ingredients

Okra

Water

Salt

Pepper

Cornmeal

Oil

Preparation

Slice okra into a bowl and cover with salt.  Cover with ice water.  Refrigerate for about an hour; drain. This step helps the coating to stick to the okra.  Toss around in the cornmeal seasoned with salt and pepper.  Fry in one-half inches of hot oil either in a skillet on the stove or in a pan in a 400 degree oven.  Toss around until brown and crispy.  Drain on paper towels.  Photgraph by Starr Oldorff.

Enjoy Summer's Bounty Year Round

Red, ripe, juicy tomatoes at the Sandhills Farmers Market!


Tomatoes are known as the king of the summer garden.  Heirloon varieties are taking their rightful place next to the Big Boys, Whoppers, and Romas.  In spite of drought conditions in North Carolina this summer, their seems to be a bumper crop of tomatoes at the Sandhills Farmers Market!  We have been enjoying them in salads, sauces, and more!  Wouldn't it be great to eat fresh tomatoes all year long?

With a little time well spent in the kitchen, fresh, locally-grown tomatoes can be enjoyed throughout the year.  Tomatoes can be easily frozen to be used when the air becomes cooler, mittens and a scarf become part of our everyday attire, and the heat of the summer are a distant memory.  Is preserving tomatoes not in your current skill set?  Not a problem!  The North Carolina Cooperative Extension website provides easy to follow instructions for freezing or canning tomatoes in the traditional manner and YouTube has several easy-to-follow and informative videos on the subject. 

Tomatoes grow in the Sandhills region of North Carolina until the first frost.  However, they probably won't  last in the local markets for that long.  So, if you want to try your hand at preserving fresh tomatoes for winter use, stop by the Sandhills Farmers Market right now and get yours while they last!  Photographed by Starr Oldorff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lMKsa6Aqz8

Homegrown and Handmade!

Along with locally-grown fruits and vegetables, the Sandhills Farmers Market offers handcrafted items. Handcrafter and Master Gardener Patricia Dean sells her hand-crocheted berets, market bags, and dishcloths, hand-sewn skirts and aprons, and baby blankets and sweaters. She has been knitting, crocheting, and sewing ever since she was old enough to work a needle! Patricia's booth is a popular stop for market-goers! Her sports team aprons are a hot item! Custom orders are welcome. Stop by and visit Patricia every Saturday at the Sandhills Farmers Market of Spring Lake. Photographed by Starr Oldorff.

WHO'S YOUR FARMER?

Meet Cecil Lucas of Spring Lake, NC! Cecil has been farming and gardening for his entire life! The Lucas family property is located in Cumberland County just outside of Spring Lake. Family and friends affectionately call it "The Old Home Place" for good reason! It has been in the family for about 60 years! Cecil's father built their home at night while mom held a lantern for him to see In the past the family grew cotton and always had a garden to provide food for the family. Cecil grows field peas, sweet potatoes, squash, corn, string beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelons, okra, cabbage, turnips, and mustard. Come out and meet farmer Cecil and learn more about where your food comes from!

MUSIC at the MARKET!

Sandhills Farmers Market's inaugural Music at the Market was a bit hit with market-goers! Some folks made the trip from as far away as Hope Mills and Raeford just to hear some good, old-time music! Rainey Parker and Chris Woodsen, members of the Cape Fear Old-Time Music Association entertained with music and songs that date back to times long before TV and radio, a time when every household had musicial instruments and families used to gather around and play music together! Old-time music is the oldest form of traditional North American music other that Native American music and songs have been passed down through the generations. Old-time music originated in Africa and Europe and has been a popular accompaniment to square dancing, buck dancing, and clogging. Many songs tell a story and some are dated as far back as the Civil War period. Rainey and Chris will be back again on July 16th. Join us at Sandhills Farmers Market for some entertainment along with your produce!

Know Your Farmer - Wade Cole of Four Oaks!

Meet Wade Cole of Wade Cole Farm in Four Oaks, NC! Wade farms 100 acres and operates a pasture-raised pork production farm. His hogs are Animal Welfare Approved for the NC Natural Hog Growers Association. Wade’s hogs eat feed that consists of corn, soybeans, molasses, minerals, and gleanings of grass, wheat, millet, and cornfields. He also grows wheat, soybeans, canola beans, millet, rye, and a wide variety of vegetables. Wade will sell pasture-raised pork, cabbage, collards, turnips, mustard greens, squash, and new potatoes on opening day of the Sandhills Farmers Market. He will also sell barbeque plates and sandwiches! Come out and meet farmer Wade and learn more about where your food comes from!

KNOW YOUR GROWER

It’s the time of year again for fresh, locally-grown sweet corn and melons, tomatoes and peas! Join Sandhills Family Heritage Association for the seasonal opening of the Sandhills Farmers Market on Saturday June 11th from 9am until 2pm! We are very excited about some changes at the market this year! Sandhills Farmers Market has some new farmers in addition to our regular growers. Along with the regular produce available, we are adding pasture-raised eggs, flowers and herbs, house plants, yard plants, potted herbs, and free-range pork from producers in Harnett and Cumberland counties and BBQ plates! This year Sandhills Farmers Market will be open Thursdays and Fridays from 4pm-7pm weekly throughout the season in addition to our regular operating hours on Saturdays! Eat local and know your growers!