rlibkind

Raspberries! In November! Yes! Here's the proof: Hard to believe, but Earl Livengood had them today at the Fairmount Market. His cohort in crime, Sam Consleyman, was surprised to find them. As of 4 p.m. there were two half-pints left at $4.25 each. I bought one, and the other swiftly disappeared, too. Unlikely they'll have any Saturday, but if you're lucky... Sam spent more time talking about Jerusalem artichokes than raspberries with a visiting Englishman at the Fairmount market this afternoon. Those are the chokes in the lowermost box in the photo below with Farmer Dwayne. Farmer Dwayne has been been bringing his own organically raised beef (frozen) to the market lately. On Saturday at the Reading Terminal you should expect to find Earl's usual variety of potatoes and greens, squashes, eggplant, as well as heirloom, organic field tomatoes and a few varities of pear/cherry/grape tomatoes. There should also be both gala and winesap apples. Concord grapes and Asian pears, too, and mighty fine chestnuts. As he promised, Benuel Kaufman had the purple cauliflower today . . . . . . as well as the white and yellow/orange varieties. The purple was priced at about $2.49 vs. $2.99 for the white. Benuel had gala as well as other apples today, but no more Macouns. (L. Halteman did, however, have Macouns along with about half a dozen other varieties.) Benuel also still had those lovely cylindrical beets, as well as Kirby cucumbers (though no more really small ones). And as of this morning there was plenty of unpasteurized cider. For tomatoes he had yellow, red field, plum and green. At Iovine's, the avocados are still $1 apiece, and the colored bell peppers remain at 99-cents/pound. Good looking mushrooms, both domestic and exotic, though I didn't see porcinis today. The hedgehogs looked particularly good, though. And making its appearance just iin time for the holidays, as it has for two or three years now: Claxton's fruit cake. It's a Georgia tradition, even if it is hardly all natural. But it is tasty. Alas, Iovines doesn't have the dark version (I have two remaining that my wife brought north with her from Georgia 21 years ago, and it's still edible), but you can take the light one home, wrap it in cheesecloth, stick it in the 'fridge and soak it in dark rum 'til Christmas. $3.99 per cake. On the fish front, John Yi offered Coho salmon at $9.99; the king (the latter undoubtedly frozen, though that doesn't mean the quality isn't good) was a few bucks more. IIRC, Yi's whole black bass (small) was going for $4.99. Closer to Arch Street at Golden Seafood, the price of dry scallops has topped $13, but it's still two or three bucks less than Whole Paycheck. The other fish stores at the RTM only carry the "wet" sea scallop. Overall seafood prices will start creeping up soon, as they always do as we near the holidays, but the variety seems to get better, too. For any Total yogurt fans out there, Andreas sells it. Picked up some onion-flecked leberkasa (veal loaf) at Dutch Country Meats today, $4.99/pound. Makes a nice sandwich on some rye with mustard.

As Rachel suggests, yogurt or sour cream can sub for buttermilk in cornbread. But Mark Bittman's suggestion to "sour" your own milk is easy, too: to a cup or cup and a quarter of milk, nuked to room temperature, add one tablespoon plain white vinegar and let it stand for 10 minutes. I think it results in a cornbread that tastes even better than one using yogurt!

You don't have to reheat the cornbread. Instead, before heading out to the game, prep the dry ingredients and set them aside; prep the wet ingredients and put them in the fridge. When you get home, turn on the oven, nuke the wet ingredients just barely enough to bring them to room temp, and when the oven hits the right temp mix up your batter by combining the dry and wet, pour it into the pan and stick it in the oven. What else to serve? Well, Mark's raw veggies certainly works, and it's no fuss with a nice dip. Slightly more fuss, but excellent as an accompaniment, would be cooked greens in garlic, which you can cook in advance and simply reheat with oil or butter in a pan while the cornbread bakes.

You don't have to call it in. Godshalls can easily handle it. But if you're going there on Friday or Saturday you will have to wait for service (they have a number system; on Saturdays it can take 10-15 minutes to be served during peak hours). Odds are they can pull the necessary number of boneless breasts and thighs without having to butcher, but if they do have to get out the knives it will take another 5 or 6 minutes. If you know precisely what you want, it's simply quicker to call in advance. For 12-15 pounds of boneless chicken (assumes serving size of 9-12 oz. uncooked chicken per person; depending on your guests and the rest of the menu you may well be able to get by with less) I would think they'd appreciate the call in advance. PS: On Saturdays the RTM starts to get very crowded by 11 a.m., and Godshalls is likely to have the number queue going within an hour after the market opens at 8 a.m.

You'll have your largest selection and variety at Godshalls: regular commercial whole or in parts (they'll also cut up whole chickens to your specs), fryers, broilers, roasters, stewers, so-called free range birds, capons, etc. Among the better packaged chickens is Eberly's which you can get at A.A. Halteman (not L. Halteman, though they're across the aisle from each other). Harry Ochs also sells chicken of excellent quality at competitive prices. How much is "quite a bit"? If you're planning on buying more than the equivalent of a half dozen whole birds, I suggest calling in your order in advance, that way it can be ready when you arrive. You can call Godshalls during business hours at (215) 922-7589.

Just Whites is manufactured by Deb El Foods, a subsidiary of Pappetti's, which in turn is part of Michael Foods, the world's largest egg processor. They market powdered whites under a variety of names. Odds are any brand of egg whites you buy will be from Michael, though there are other processors.

Use those yolks to make Lemon Curd!

Brussels Sprouts, both on and off the stalk, are making an appearance. And so are local cauliflower and broccoli: That's purple broccli on the left, white and yellow/orange cauliflower on the right, and Benuel Kaufman in the middle. He expects to have purple cauliflower, too, next week. As of this afternoon he also had plenty of unpasteurized cider. As evidence from the photos, tomatoes can still be obtained -- field, plum and yellow at Benuel's, heirloom at Fair Food Project, field at L. Halteman. Earl Livengood should have some Saturday, based on what he had yesterday afternoon at the Fairmount market. At Iovine's, price of lemons up to 25 cents apiece, limes still 5/$1. Two sizes and prices of Florida juice (Valencia) oranges either 3 or 4 for $1. Colored bell peppers (red, yellow, orange) still 99-cents/pound. These are the greenhouse peppers from Canada; L. Halteman and Benuel Kaufman offering late season loal colored bell peppers at reasonable prices. Benuel Kaufman still has the longer, cylindrical beets. I roasted some the other night, and they are as sweet as can be. Very yummy. Local cabbage also in season at the local produce vendors. Benuel was selling his for 39-cents/pound whole, 49-cents for halved. Fair Food and L. Halteman also have it. If you don't want to cook it, consider either cole slaw or a quick pickled cabbage. Make the slaw or quick pickle with some of Benuel's small kirby cucumbers and slices of those local colored peppers and you've got a great veggie to accompany sandwiches, burgers and other grilled meats. (For a quick pickle, toss the shredded veggies with salt [for half a whole head of cabbage, figure about 2-3 tablespoons] and press and weight them in a colander, allowing to stand for 30-60 minutes; then quickly rinse off the excess salt and press excess water out. Toss with 2 tablespoons white or cider vinegar [using balsamic or sherry vinegar is counter-productive in this dish], 2 teaspoons of sugar and, if you like, a light sprinkling of carraway seeds.)

You can also order direct from Fee Brothers. You can't do it from their website (www.feebrothers.com), I don't even think they take credit cards -- but they will take an order by phone, ship it (even just one or two bottles) and send you can invoice.

You're rigvht. And that's about the only thing I've bought there. Their poultry is generally of better quality than their meats.

I don't think the loss of these six merchants at all tears into the fabric of the RTM. One sells trinkets; one sells pedestrian baked goods; one sells sushi (hardly a traditional RTM product); one sells ordinary sandwiches; one sells hot dogs; one sells supermarket-quality (at best) meat. Now, if they weren't renewing the leases of Harry Ochs, or John Yi, yes, that would be significant. The vendors whose leases aren't been renewed are peripheral players. It hits the affected merchants hard, and life won't be easy for them. But they are not critical to the market's mission; in fact, some of them are counter-productive to that mission. I suspect that over time, other merchants whose goods don't fit into this criteria will find their leases not renewed, too.

Rich, I think you're confusing A.A. Halteman with L. Halteman. Two different stores, two widely different levels of quality. L. Halteman sells Pennsylvania Dutch cold cuts as well as fresh meats and local produce; A.A. Halteman sells lesser qualtity fresh meats and low grade Dietz & Watson cold cuts.

Here's the link to the article. You may have to register to view it. Some quick thoughts, subject to changing my mind or learning new facts: The goal -- to preserve and expand the RTM's mission as a source for food and food products grown and/or produced regionally for at-home consumption -- is worthy. By and large, I think the moves will be good ones, and help the RTM to avoid become a mere food court, so long as the replacement vendors advance the mission. Let's look at some of the individual vendors whose leases will not be renewed: A.A. Halteman. An okay butcher shop, whose poultry is of better quality than its red meats, but still nothing spectacular. Won't be missed. Braverman's Bakery. A well-known Philadelphia name in baked goods, but the product doesn't live up to the reputation. Pedestrian sweets and pastries. They occupy a prime location at the RTM that will be coveted by others. Franks-a-Lot. I happen to like this stand because, every once in a while, I crave one of their various dogs. But it's just a hot dog, no great loss. (Now, if they had offered a true North Jersey deep fried Italian dog, well, that would be different; then I'd be starting a protest movement. But they don't.) Nomad Trading. A trinket vendor. They have no business being at the RTM. Sandwich Stand. Never had any of their sandwiches. (Why would I when they're across the aisle from Tommy DiNic?) One less unremarkable sandwich vendor won't be missed. And, again, they occupy a primo location which can be put to better use by another vendor. Tokyo Sushi. Yes, it's the only place to get sushi at the RTM, but no one makes a special trip to the RTM for sushi. The vast majority of those who buy raw fish at the market want to cook it at home. This stand occupies a prime location that can be put to better use by another vendor more in keeping the market's mission. As for the new vendors Paul Steinke said he's bringing in -- a Jewish deli, a German wurstgesheft (is my German spelling correct?) and an on-premises bakery -- they are welcome. We haven't had a really good German butcher/sausage maker since Siedfried left, although Dutch Country Meats has made a worthy effort to pick up some of the slack, and L. Halteman has always offered a selection of some German style cold cuts. Likewise, in my memory there hasn't been a Jewish deli type operation except for a short-lived period in the mid-1980s; it was passable. It was located in a large but out-of-the-way space where the Down Home Diner now thrives. A Jewish deli at the RTM has one problem, however: it's pretty much impossible for them to be kosher because to do any business, they have to be open on Saturday, which automatically makes that non-kosher. In addition, traditionally Jewish delis and "appy" stores do their best business on Sundays, a day the RTM is closed. In addition to Braverman's, the RTM has four other bakeries: Beiler's (the Pennsylvania Dutch bakerty), Metropolitan, LeBus and Termini. Except for some minor items at Beiler's, none bakes at the market. I've talked to Paul Steinke before about how good it would be if one of the bakeries at least did some items there, for example, donuts of better quality than you'd get at DD (not that I don't enjoy an occasional Drunk'n Duncan). Heck, in the early 1980s there was even an on-premises bagel bakery at the RTM. It will certainly be difficult for the merchants whose leases will not be renewed, and no one wishes them ill. One would hope that in moving on, they will be even more successful. But anything that moves the RTM away from devolving into a food court and more towards a mecca of quality, locally produced food products is welcome. Although the changes have promise, the proof is in the (blood) pudding. Note that three of the vendors whose leases won't be renewed -- Braverman's, Sandwich Stand, Tokyo Sushi -- occupy prime real estate along the center court. Replacing them with vendors more in keeping with the market's mission (and perhaps generating more revenue for lease payments) is not a bad thing. Side note: One has to wonder what will happen to the A.A. Halteman space. Will Iovine's expand? Iovine probably does the biggest volume at the RTM today and could probably make good use of additional square footage.

Is there one of those Pennsylvania historical markers out front? ← There was, but somebody ate it.

Haltemann's (that's L. Haltemann, not A.A., though the two vendors are practically across from each other at the RTM) is also my go-to bacon. I buy both the strips and the ends, depending on the intended purpose. Since I'll be making skillet cornbread this week, I have ends to render some nice fat. As mrbigjas notes, it is intensely smokey. (As are Haltemann's smoked short ribs, which I add for flavoring when I make a pot of chili.) Thanks for the info on Harry Ochs' bacon - I wasn't aware they did their own! Sounds like a nice variation for a breakfast side. Has anyone tried the bacon from Fair Food Farmstand? Their pork from Countrytime is outstanding. According to its weekly e-mail newsletter, Fair Food offers nitrite-free from Countrytime (though I'm not a big fan of nitrite free bacon; it tends to be much too salty, and using beet powder to add redness doesn't work for me) and double-smoked from Green Meadow.

I'll wait to make a judgement on the pricing until I visit, but based on Evan's initial report, while it may be pricey it doesn't seem outrageous, at least as far as the chef's choice tapas goes. For $80 two diners share 10 different tapas. With a glass of manzanilla each and tip, the tab will probably come to about $120. That's on a par with what I spent a few weeks ago when I dined on a meal composed of appetizers (duck leg confit, mustard shrimp, johnnycakes with lobster), green salad, dessert and a single glass of domestic bubbly at one of Bar Harbor's best restaurants, where the tab came to $62 (including tip) for one person. I would expect to spend that per person for a meal of tapas with a drink. Of course, keep in mind that tapas essentially bar food. It's simply sitting on a small plate to keep the flies out of your glass of sherry. Now, Katie, what about the sherries? How many different finos and manzanillas and olorossos do you boast?

The "science" is largely within the apple itself: it depends on the variety. Some are excellent "keepers", some are not. Cold storage certainly helps. One great storage apple, that in recent years has become more readily available, is Arkansas Black. But there are any number of others. Here's an informative article on the subject.

Do what the Pennsylvania Dutch do: make schnitz (dried apple slices). Though I have no knowledge as to whether or not Haralsons are an idea variety for drying.

I enjoy simply eating the seeds as is. One garnish use I've seen that's particularly attractive is to scatter them atop guacamole (Barrio Cafe, Phoenix). The contrast of the deep red and cool green is quite visually pleasing.

C'mon on down to Philadelphia, Curlz. Stayman winesaps were 99 cents/pound today (two pound minimum, but that's easy to hit) at Benuel Kaufman's stand at the Reading Terminal Market. So you'd only have to buy 500 pounds to make back your Amtrak fare. But then, you'd be able to taste Tommy DiNic's pork sandwich, too.

They're different apples, actually. This past weekend at a local orchard I bought a bushel of Stayman (discovered by a Dr Stayman in 1866 -- they're very popular here in Virginia). I had gone purposefully to buy Winesaps and when I asked for them they said Winesaps wouldn't be in season for a couple of weeks. But they're both excellent sweet-tart apples great for baking. ← You're both right. Stayman is an offshoot of Winesap. Staymans tend to be larger, whereas the true winesap is a smaller apple. The tastes are similar, but not identical; I find the winesap a bit more complex, as well as a bit spicier and more wine-like. Both, however, are delicious and both work well either as a dessert apple or in pies.

While only a few supermarkets may carry them, Winesaps (a.k.a. Stayman Winesaps) are hardly elusive, at least in the Northeast and MidAtlantic. It ties with the Macoun as my favorite commercial dessert apple, i.e., an apple you can eat out-of-hand. The Macoun's flesh is slightly soft, but still sufficient crispy; its clean, sweet taste, however, is hard to beat. Later in the season (they usually show up in November) is the Arkansas Black. A small, sweet apple, it's primary virtue is that it's a "keeper". I can buy them in November and they are still hard and sweet in February, so long as they are refrigerated or kept in the cold. Its flavor is a bit more one-dimensional, but it is still an excellent apple, especially in December, January and February. Again, you won't find these in any supermarket, but "blacks" (there are other varieties beyond Arkansas which have similar properties) are becoming more popular with orchards. Considerably more elusive is my ultimate favorite dessert apple, the Cox Orange Pippin, which Carswell noted. It's really not grown commercially in the U.S. because it is not a particularly productive variety; it is, however, the most popular variety in the U.K. -- they import them from South Africa in the off season, much as we bring in fruit from Chile. A few orchards do have Cox Orange Pippins, but at this point in time, they're pretty much all gone. They tend to be ready to pick in mid to late September in New York and New England. (I've yet to find them in Pennsylvania or NJ, but I'm still looking). For pies my favorite is the Rhode Island Greening, though Northern Spy (I just picked up a bag during a trip to central Maine two weeks ago) are also excellent. If you can find quince, it's nice to add one to a half dozen or so apples in a pie because the quince's intense pectin reserves help "jell" the pie. Then again, I've made pies with Winesaps and Grandma Smiths and they work quite nicely.

It's not North Jersey by a long shot, but you can usually get them in season at the Reading Terminal Market here in Philadelphia. Here's the Jersey Fresh Apple Search Page of the NJ Dept. of Agriculture. Just click on a county to show pick your own and/or roadside stand outlets. I can't vouch for them, but here some that I got off that list (I"d strongly suggest calling before traipsing out to any of these to check on variety availability): Melick's Orchards 472 Rt. 513, Califon Directions: From Rt. 80. S to Rt. 24 in Chester, W on Rt. 24 (Rt. 513) for approx. 9 mi., Stand on left. Phone: (908) 832-2905 Web site: www.melickstownfarm.com Open: July - Oct. Roadside Market: Apples Pick Your Own: Apples; peaches; flowers; pumpkins Apple Varieties: Empire; Gala; Golden Delicious; Jonagold; Macoun; McIntosh; Red Delicious; Stayman/Winesap; Crispen; Rome Also Available: Cider; cider donuts; bakery items; jams/jellies; Indian corn; corn stalks; gourds; Halloween decorations; WIC and Senior FMNP checks accepted Melick's Town Farm (at the Cider Mill) 19 King St., Oldwick Directions: Rt. 78, Exit 24, N for 1 mi., stand on right Phone: (908) 439-3888 Web site: www.melickstownfarm.com Open: Daily. Farm market: April - Dec. PYO: Sept. - Oct; call for harvest dates & hours, 10 am - 6 pm Roadside Market: Apples; winter squash Pick Your Own: Strawberries; apples; pumpkins; flowers Apple Varieties: Cortland; Empire; Fuji; Gala; Granny Smith; Golden Delicious; Jonagold; Macoun; McIntosh; Red Delicious; Stayman/Winesap; Crispen; Ida Red; Rome Also Available: Cider; cider donuts; bakery items; Indian corn; jams; jellies; Halloween decorations; WIC and Senior FMNP checks accepted Mountain Top Orchard 112 Mountain Top Rd., Glen Gardner Directions: Rt. 31 to New Hampton, along River Rd. to Changewater, 2nd right on Hollow, to Mt. Top Rd. , left 1/4 mile, farm on right Phone: (908) 537-2979 Open: June 15 - December 31 Roadside Market: Sweet & sour cherries, peaches, plums, prunes, apricots, summer & fall apples, pears, quince, blackberries Apple Varieties: Lodi, Tyderman, Jonathan, McIntosh, Cortland, Red & Golden Delicious, Stayman, Empire, Gala, Crispin Peaceful Valley Orchard 441 Pittstown Rd., Pittstown Directions: Rt. 78 Exit 15 to Rt. 513 S, 5.1 mi. Phone: (908) 713-1705 Email: fruit@peacefulvalleyorchards.com Web site: www.peacefulvalleyorchards.com Open: July - October, Daily, 11 am - 5 pm Roadside Market: Apples: all varieties, peaches, cherries, apricot, tomatoes (heirloom included), peppers, zucchini, eggplant, winter squash, pumpkins Pick Your Own: Apples, pumpkins Apple Varieties: Cortland, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp, Jonathan, Macoun, McIntosh, Mutsu, Red Delicious, Rome, Stayman/Winesap, Suncrisp, York Also Available: Cider, honey, preserv Giamarese Farm 155 Fresh Pond Rd., East Brunswick Directions: Rt. 1 south to Milltown Rd., south exit, make right at 4th light onto Kulthau Ave. to fork in road, bear right onto Fresh Pond Rd., 2 mi. on right Phone: (732) 821-9494, Fax: (732) 821-1810 Web site: www.giamaresefarm.com Open: Last week of June - Dec. 23, Tuesday - Saturday 10 am - 6 pm, Sunday 10 am - 3 pm, closed Monday Roadside Market: Large variety of fruits & vegetables Pick Your Own: Apples, pumpkins, Christmas trees Apple Varieties: Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Jonathan, McIntosh, Red Delicious, Royal Gala, Stayman/Winesap Also Available: Jersey Fresh Cooks cookbook, jams, ice cream, milk, eggs, pies, WIC and Senior FMNP checks accepted John Himich Farms 701 Cranbury Rd., East Brunswick Directions: NJ Tpk South Exit 9, Rt. 18 S to Cranbury Rd. Exit (Rt. 535S), 31/2 miles, on right Phone: (732) 257-1538 Open: Aug. 15 - Nov. 1 Roadside Market: Variety of fruits and vegetables Pick Your Own: Tomatoes, eggplant, peaches, pears, apples (Sept. & Oct.), vegetables, flowers, pumpkins, cut & choose Christmas trees Apple Varieties: Empire, Gala, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Jonathan, McIntosh, Red Delicious, Stayman/Winesap Also Available: Mums, cut flowers, local honey Call for information and hours Alstede Farms 84 County Route 513 (old Rt. 24) , Chester Directions: Rt. 80 or Rt. 287 to Rt. 206 into Chester, Right on Rt. 513 S., 3/4 mi. on Left Phone: (908) 879-7189 Email: alstedefarms@nac.net Web site: www.alstedefarms.com Open: Daily, year round, Mon. - Sat. 9 am - 6 pm, Sun. 10 am - 5 pm Roadside Market: Asparagus; squash; tomatoes; greens; pumpkins; peppers; sweet corn; eggplant; rhubarb; strawberries; peaches; apples; raspberries; blackberries; currants; gooseberries Pick Your Own: Peaches; pumpkins; Indian corn; cut flowers Apple Varieties: Cortland, Empire, Gala, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Macoun, McIntosh, Red Delicious, Stayman/Winesap Also Available: Jersey Fresh Cooks cookbook; free pumpkin hay rides on weekends; Clydesdale horse rides; group tours available; corporate events Hacklebarney Farm Cider Mill 104 State Park Rd., Chester Directions: From Rt. 206 in Chester, follow Rt. 513 W for 1.5 mi. to left on State Park Rd. Phone: (908) 879-6593, Fax: (908) 879-3828 Email: bobmark908@aol.com Web site: www.hacklebarneyfarm.cjb.net Open: Spring - call for hours; September 10 - December 23, Tuesday - Sunday 10 am - 5 pm Roadside Market: Apples Pick Your Own: Pumpkins Apple Varieties: 22 varieties, including antique apples from 100-year old trees Also Available: Cider, bakery items Hillview Farms 223 Meyersville Rd., Gillette Directions: I-78 Exit 40 towards Gillette, 5 mi. on right Phone: (908) 647-0957 Open: May 1 - Nov. 30, daily, 10 am - 6 pm Roadside Market: Apples; pumpkins; vegetables Pick Your Own: Blueberries; tomatoes; apples; pumpkins cut flowers Apple Varieties: Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Jonathan, Macoun, McIntosh, Red Delicious, Stayman/Winesap Also Available: Donuts; cider; bakery items Parks Farms Rt. 24, Chester Directions: Rt. 24 2 mi. between Chester & Mendham Phone: (908) 879-5509 Open: May - December 24., Daily, 9 am - 6 pm Roadside Market: Peaches, apples, tomatoes, squash, pumpkins, various vegetables Pick Your Own: Pumpkins with wagon ride Apple Varieties: Fuji, Golden Delicious, Idared, Jonagold, Macoun, Mutsu, Red Delicious, Stayman/Winesap. Riamede Farm 122 Oakdale Rd., Chester Directions: Turn onto Oakdale at Exxon Station on eastern end of Main St., 1/2 mi. Phone: (908) 879-5353 Web site: www.riamede.com Open: Daily, Sept. - Oct., 9 am - 4:30 pm Roadside Market: Apples Pick Your Own: Apples Apple Varieties: Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Jonathan, Macoun, McIntosh, Red Delicious, Stayman/Winesap; traditional, modern and heirloom apple varieties available Also Available: Cider, jams, jellies, honey, hay rides Roam our 50 acres of scenic old orchards & woodlands; enjoy the fall colors Sun High Orchard 19 Canfield Ave., Randolph Directions: Rt. 287 to Rt. 10 W, Rt 10 W to Canfield Ave., left at light, 100 yds. on right Phone: (973) 584-4734 Web site: www.sunhigh.com Open: Daily, May - Dec., 9 am - 6 pm Roadside Market: Apples: all varieties, pumpkins, vegetables, sweet corn, tomatoes, raspberries, peaches Pick Your Own: Pumpkins Apple Varieties: Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Macoun, McIntosh, Red Delicious, Stayman/Winesap Also Available: Apple cider, donuts, bakery, pies, soup, salads, jams, honey, cut flowers, bedding plants, perennials, gifts & craft items, mums, hay rides, picnic tables, fall decorations, petting zoo, farm animals, WIC and Senior FMNP checks accepted Turn of the century General Store, 200-year old authentic working bee-hive oven Wightman's Farms Rt. 202, 1111 Mt. Kemble Ave., Morristown Directions: I-287 to Exit 30B, right at light, 1/3 mi. on left Phone: (973) 425-9819, Fax: (973) 425-0007 Email: wightmansfarms@yahoo.com Web site: www.wightmansfarms.com 0 Open: Year-round , Daily, 8 am - 6 pm Roadside Market: Full line of fruits & vegetables Pick Your Own: Pumpkins, apples, peaches, raspberries (Beginning August 21, 2004 pyo is weekends only) Apple Varieties: 32 varieties including Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Jonathan, Macoun, McIntosh, Red Delicious, Stayman/Winesap Also Available: Jersey Fresh Cooks cookbook, hay rides, school tours, corn maze; picnic area, gourds, Indian corn, corn stalks, bdding plants, hanging baskets, Christmas trees, wreaths, decorations, hardy mums, perennials, Easter flowers, apple cider, gourmet foods, honey, maple syrup, birdhouses & feeders, bird seed, hickory-smoked meats, cheeses, deli, bakery (pies, donuts, muffins, cookies, brownies) Beemerville Orchards 73 Lusscroft Rd., Sussex Directions: CR 649, Directly off CR 519 Phone: (973) 875-3729 Open: Aug. - Jan., 9 AM - 6 PM Roadside Market: Apples; Pumpkins; Vegetables Apple Varieties: Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Jonathan, Macoun, Red Delicious, Stayman/Winesap Also Available: Pasteurized Cider Everitt's Fruit Farm & Cider Mill PO Box #52, Lafayette Directions: On Rt. 15 N, 1/2 mile north of Lafayette Fire Dept., on left Phone: (973) 383-5463 Open: October - April, weekends only, Saturday & Sunday , 1pm - 6pm Roadside Market: Real untreated apple cider from from our mill, apples from our orchard Apple Varieties: Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Red Delicious, Stayman/Winesap, Jersey Reds, RI Greenings NO PICK YOUR OWN Fairview Farm Route 206 N, Newton Directions: Rt. 80 W. to Rt. 206 N, Near Rt. 94 N. Stand Selling At Fairclough Fuel Co. Phone: (973) 383-5832 Open: Daily, Sept. - Nov., 7 AM - 5 PM, Saturday & Sunday 9 AM - 3 PM Roadside Market: Apples Apple Varieties: Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Stayman Layton Orchards 34 Ridge Rd., Layton Directions: Rt. 206 N, left at Rt. 560 to Layton, turn right at blinking light, Ridge Rd. is 1st road on the right Phone: (973) 948-6770 Open: September - December, Daily, 9 am - dark Roadside Market: Apples, peaches, plums, pears Apple Varieties: Cortland, Golden Delicious, Macoun, McIntosh, Red Delicious, Stayman/Winesap Pochuck Valley Farm 962 Rt. 517, Glenwood Rd., Glenwood Directions: Rt. 23 N to Rt. 94 N to Rt. 517 N Phone: (973) 764-4732 Email: pochuck@warwick.net Open: Farm market daily year-round, 5 am - 6 pm Roadside Market: Apples, pumpkins, peaches, plums, pears, vegetables Pick Your Own: Peaches, plums, tomatoes, sweet corn, pears, apples, pumpkins, gourds, hay Apple Varieties: Cortland, Crispin, Empire, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Greenings, Jonathan, Macoun, McIntosh, Mutsu, Northern Spies, Red Delicious, Quince, Rome Beauty, Stayman/Winesap Also Available: Jersey Fresh Cooks cookbook, baked goods, jams, jellies, deli, ice cream, maple & honey products, mums, cider, donuts, gift shop, bakery, wreaths Windy Brow Farms 359 Ridge Road (Rt. 519), Newton Phone: (973) 579-9657 Open: June - December, Daily, 9 am - 5 pm Roadside Market: Apples (35 varieties), peaches, nectarines, and other seasonal fruits, pumpkins, gourds, seasonal vegetables, Pick Your Own: Apples, pumpkins Apple Varieties: McItosh, red & golden delicious , macoun, winesap, honeycrisp, many more Also Available: Orchard (home-made pies & baked goods) bakery, apple cider donuts, fresh pressed cider, jams, local honey products, country gift store, seasonal decorations, hay maze, barn-yard critters, hay wagon rides, group tours available Apgar's Cider Press 352 Harmony Brass Castle Rd., Phillipsburg Directions: 1.7 mi. off County Rt. 519 on Harmony Brass Castle Rd. (Rt. 647) in Harmony Phone: (908) 859-2988 Open: Daily, 10 am - 5 pm Roadside Market: Apples, peaches, sour cherries Apple Varieties: Fuji, Golden Delicious, Ida Red, Jonagold, Macoun, McIntosh, Red Delicious, Winesap Also Available: In season cider, jellies, crafts, eggs, gifts Best's Fruit Farm West Rt. 46, Hackettstown Directions: I-80 Exit 19, Rt. 517 S to Rt. 46, 1 mi. W Phone: (908) 852-3777 Open: Year Round, 9 AM - 6:30 PM, Weekends 9 AM - 5 PM Roadside Market: Apples; vegetable; peaches Apple Varieties: Cortland, Empire, Gala, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Jonathan, Macoun, McIntosh, Red Delicious, Stayman/Winesap Also Available: Jersey Fresh Cooks cookbook; full bakery: donuts - pies; deli; apple pies; cider; bedding plants; mums Brook Hollow Farm 52 Frog Pond Rd., Hainesburg Directions: Rt. 80 W to Exit 4, Rt. 94, 31/2 mi. N to Frog Pond Rd. Phone: (908) 496-4577 Open: August - October, December for trees only Roadside Market: Apples, peaches Pick Your Own: Apples Apple Varieties: 14 varieties of apples including McIntosh, Rome & Stayman Also Available: Cut your own Christmas trees Donaldson Farms 345 Allen Rd., Hackettstown Directions: Rt. 80, exit 19, Rt 31 N to Rt. 57 E or Rt. 78, exit 24, Rt. 523 N to Rt. 517 N Phone: (908) 852-9122 Web site: www.donaldsonfarms.net Open: April - November, Daily 8 am - 7 pm Roadside Market: Sweet corn, tomatoes, peaches, melons, asparagus, potatoes, apples, grapes, herbs Pick Your Own: Strawberries, field-grown flowers, pumpkins, gourds, ornamental corn, herbs Apple Varieties: Cortland, Jonagold, Macoun, McIntosh, Mutsu, Paula Red, Winesap Also Available: Jersey Fresh Cooks cookbook, milk, ice cream, honey, jelly dressings, pies, bread, coffee, soup Mackey's Orchards 284 CR 519, Belvidere Directions: 78W to 22W to 519 North appr. 10 miles. 80W to exit 12 to 519 South Approx 10 miles. Detailed directions on our website. Phone: (908) 475-1507, Fax: (908)475-1118 Email: cider@fast.net Web site: www.mackeysorchard.com Open: April - Christmas Eve., 7 Days a week Roadside Market: Apples; peaches; pears; plums; nectarines; apricots; cherries; rasberries; tomatoes; peppers; corn; lettuce Pick Your Own: Apples; pumpkins Apple Varieties: Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Jonathan, Macoun, McIntosh, Red Delicious, Stayman/Winesap Also Available: Jams; Jellies; Basket Goods and Ice Cream Race Farm 93 Belcher Rd., Blairstown Directions: I-80 Exit 12, N on Rt. 521 go 2 2 mi., left onto Union Brick Rd., follow directional signs Phone: (908) 362-8151 Web site: www.racefarm.com Open: Daily, Apr. 1 - Nov. 30, 9 am - 6 pm Roadside Market: Apples; pumpkins; vegetables Pick Your Own: Apples; broccoli; cabbage; pumpkins; beans (lima, snap); peppers; tomatoes; raspberries; eggplant; greens; Brussel sprouts; sunflowers Apple Varieties: Cortland; Empire; Gala; Golden Delicious; Jonagold; Jonathan; Macoun; McIntosh; Red Delicious; Stayman/Winesap Also Available: Nursery stock; bedding plants; baked goods; pottery; WIC and Senior FMNP checks accepted Stoneyfield Orchards 5 Orchard St., Belvidere Directions: From Rt. 80, Exit 12, S on Rt. 521 to Hope, Rt. 519 to Rt. 46, turn right, go west on Rt. 46 to Belvidere sign, left on Rt. 620, go S to first left (Orchard St.), on left side Phone: (908) 475-5209 Open: Year round , Daily, 9 am - 5:30 pm Roadside Market: Apples, peaches, pears, plums, grapes, cherries, potatoes, tomatoes, sweet corn, strawberries Pick Your Own: Sour cherries, peaches, apples, pears Apple Varieties: Baldwin, Cortland, Empire, Fuji, Gala, Ginger Gold, Golden Delicious, Jersey Mac, Jersey Red, Jonagold, Jonathan, Macoun, McIntosh, Mutsu, Northern Spy, Paula Red, Red Delicious, Rome, Stayman/Winesap & others Also Available: Cider, brown eggs, jelly, preserves, relishes, salad dressing, Vermont cheeses, maple syrup, WIC and Senior FMNP checks accepted

Just for the record, a photo from another thread: Bahn Mi at Ô Sandwich.

Back from a week in Maine (lotsa hardshell lobster and steamers) so when I got to the Reading Terminal today after a neary three-week hiatus, the change of season was clear. Still, there were plenty of tomatoes to found: Like these proudly arranged by Benuel Kauffman. Or these field and cherry tomatoes at Livengoods. Livengood's chard is among the more colorful veggies at the market. Those little green fruits at the Fair Food Farmstand aren't olives -- they're mini kiwis. Is this just a fancy marketing approach for gooseberries? And don't the radishes and pear tomatoes look tasty? Ann Karlen says she expects the Jamison lamb to start next week. Benuel Kauffman also still has my favor commercial eating apple, Macoun. He also had unpasteurized cider this morning. While in Maine I picked up a bag of Northern Spy apples, which are great for pie (my other favorite pie apple is Rhode Island Greening); I'llcut in a quince picked up today at Fair Food for the extra pectin to add to the pie. Avocados (Haas variety) back down to $1 apiece at Iovines. Today's bin was filled with both ripe-enough-to-eat-today and give-it-a-couple-more-days fruits. And the grab bags looked pretty good. I picked up a 3/4-pound bag of domestic white mushrooms, which works out to $1.33/pound vs. the normal $1.99 price, and not a single blemished 'shroom in the entire bag. Sautee them with dried and reconsituted porcinis and maybe a couple of fresh shitakes, and you 've got a deliciious dish. The seedless green grapes are of very good quality for long-distance fruit (California, I assume). Limes are a dime apiece, which is pretty much as cheap as they get, and they appear to be heavy with juice. Small pomegranites are three/$1. I noticed Harry Ochs now carries Boar's Head beef franks with natural casing (sheep). It's a pretty good hot dog; I happened to find it at the Cherry Hill Shop Rite this past week. Not as good as Usingers or Best's, but still pretty good. Today was "Harvest Festival," which meant no parking on the streets around the market and one, presumes, lots of crowds as they day goes on. Since I was there about 8:30 and left at 10 (after a breakfast of freshly fried donuts from Fisher's Harvest Festival outdoor stand) the crowds were still thin. This past Thursday Earl had some small, black paw paws at Fairmount. Not today.