The Farmer's Market--More than Produce

When you come down to the Monroe Farmer's Market you know you'll find all the produce, baked goods, fresh coffee, local meat, honey, maple syrup and other products that you've come to expect.  But this year, we've added a dose of entertainment to make the market even more interesting.  You never know what might be going on!  Here are a few of the things you may have seen, or on the other hand, the fun you've missed:

Trent Weber, the Mystical Kid, a magician

 Pottery vendors demonstrating their craft

 John Waelti with his accordion

 a wandering violinist, entertaining shoppers

"At the farmer's market, every day brings new opportunities for sharing, for catching up with friends, for strengthening ties of friendship, for supporting each other.  We value and treasure these relationships.  Our market does more than distribute fresh, locally grown, wholesome food.  It is a social, cultural event that brings many of the people of our area together."

The Plain Reader: Essays on Making a Simple Life, edited by Scott Savage

Get the most out of the market

Getting the most out of the Monroe farmer's market boils down to one easy tip: get to know the vendors.  And it's pretty easy, since all it requires is sauntering up to a vendor's booth.  Vendors are happy for the company and will gladly explain their products, answer questions, or just chat with you.

Some market attendees walk through the center of the market walkway, peering at the wares on either side without getting too close to any booth.  You might get a general idea of a vendor's offerings browsing this way, but you'll miss so much!  A farmer's market shopping experience is more personal and unique, unlike a shopping trip to your local "mart".

Why should you get to know the vendors?

1. They know their business!  They've spent a lot of time perfecting and honing their skills, some for years. Those unusual vegetables you see piled high on their table?  They are sure to be able to give you several recipes and tips on using them.  You may not know much about alpacas or homegrown beef but the vendors can give you a better understanding of how to use or prepare the products, as well as answer your questions.

2. They love what they do and it shows in their products.  Whether it's a passion for tomato soup, coffee, or soap, they are offering their very best to you and chances are, you'll also come to appreciate the skills they've developed.  It's quality that can't be found in mass-produced products.

3. They are your neighbors.  They may not live across the road from you, but most of the vendors at Monroe's market live in Green County and the rest come from surrounding counties.  Being a small, mainly rural county, chances are good that you have some connection to the friends, family, and colleagues of the vendor. Wouldn't you rather support other members of your own community than see your money go to faraway economies?

4. It might get you some perks!  Vendors appreciate feedback and suggestions and are often happy to accommodate special requests.  Can't find your favorite pie?  You might be able to find someone that will make one just for you.  Need a few bushels of cabbages for a giant batch of sauerkraut?  Ask around and you'll likely find someone that can help you out.  Vendors value steady customers who take an interest in their wares, and most will go out of their way to show their appreciation and keep you a happy customer.

Come to the Monroe Farmer's Market on Wednesdays from 1-5:30 and Saturdays from 8-1 on the Square...and take your time!

2016 Monroe Farmer's Market season begins!

It's May!  The market is now in full swing with an impressive array of homegrown and handmade products of all kinds from more vendors than ever.  And now with the warmer weather, produce is starting to appear--asparagus, spinach, kale, rhubarb, with more arriving every week.

We're also excited to introduce you to our new market manager, Danielle Zimmerman.  She's been involved with the market as a vendor with her Meadow Ridge Alpaca products and has served as secretary on the market committee.  Danielle has great enthusiasm and energy and has already implemented a lot of new ideas to make the market an even better experience.

Whether you have never attended the Monroe Farmer's Market before or are a market regular, you'll want to come out regularly--even twice a week--to catch the ever-changing selection of goods, vendors, and entertainment all season long!

Gough's Gluten-Free Pumpkin Roll

Fresh produce isn't easy to come by at farmer's markets this time of year in Wisconsin.  By fortunately there are plenty of ways to preserve the harvest and thanks to canning and dehydrating, the market continues to offer locally-raised, pesticide-free produce year-round. 

Gough's Gorgeous Farm Goods offers a variety of their home-grown vegetables preserved through dehydration. This method maintains much of fresh produce's nutrition, is versatile, and takes up little space. It's likely you've never used dehydrated vegetables before, so the Gough family helps you along. They have developed numerous delicious (and creative) recipes that will help you incorporate more vegetables into your diet.  (And if you come to the market on the right day, you just might be offered a sample of a recent recipe.) Here is one of their original recipes for you-- a rolled pumpkin cake with cream cheese filling. 

Gough's Gluten-Free Pumpkin Roll

1 c. brown rice flour                                                        1/2 c. evaporated milk

1/2 c. sugar                                                                     4 eggs

1 t. baking soda                                                               1 t. lemon juice

3 t. baking powder                                                           1 T. powdered sugar

2 t. pumpkin pie spice                                                       1 (8 oz. pkg) cream cheese

1/2 oz. dehydrated pumpkin                                             1/4 c. butter (no substitutes)

1/2 c. boiling water                                                           1 c. powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease a 17x11x1 sheet (jelly roll) pan with butter (no substitutes) and dust with brown rice flour. (Alternatively, line the pan with parchment paper.)

Place dehydrated pumpkin (1 T & 1 t.) in a small bowl.  Add the 1/2 c. hot boiling water, stir until moist and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, mix brown rice flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and pumpkin pie spice.  Stir in eggs, evaporated milk, and lemon juice.  Add in pumpkin.  Pour mixture into prepared pan and spread mixture evenly.  Bake at 375 for 10 minutes or until cake springs back.

Lay a linen towel on the counter and sprinkle it with the 1 T. powdered sugar.  With a rubber spatula carefully loosen the cake from the pan and turn the cake onto the towel.  Carefully roll the towel up (from the short side) with the cake in it.  Place the cake (in towel) on a wire rack and let cool completely.

In a medium bowl, blend room temperature cream cheese and butter and powdered sugar with an electric mixer.  When the cake has cooled, unroll it, spread the filling, and roll it back up.

A few reasons you should give this dessert a try:

-it's easy but looks fancy

-it's a dessert that incorporates a vegetable for extra nutrition

-it's gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions

-it's lightly sweetened and not overly rich

Be sure to stop in to the Monroe Farmer's Market Winter Market, held on the third Saturday of the month from November to April.  The hours are 9-2 in the Masonic Temple on the north side of the downtown Square.