More winter crops are arriving at the market

If you’re like me, the return of bok choy is particularly welcome. It’s one of my favorite veggies. Boc choy is packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, but it’s very low in calories and carbohydrates AND super easy to prepare.

I usually just cut off the root end, rinse it well in cool water, rough chop it, and steam it until tender. You can put in the stems first and add the leaves about 4 minutes later if you want everything cooked to the same tenderness, but I like a little crunch in the stems so I just put them in all together. They are great as a side with salmon and other meats and also can be added to any dish that calls for cooked greens. Unlike a lot of dark greens, they are very mild.

Of course, if you like things spicy, just stop by DnD Smoked or Good Golly Tamale!

This free kids meals this week are:

• Breakfast – yogurt loaf, berries in berry sauce, and milk.
• Lunch – chicken noodle soup, green beans, and milk.
• Every child from 1 through 18, receives both meals packed to go. If the kids or grandkids aren’t with you, just show the server a photo of yourself with the kids so we can get a head count. The meals are handed out from 9 to 11.

Vendors we expect on Saturday and a sample of what they’ll bring are:

FARMS

• Braker Berry Farm – spinach, sweet potato, cabbage, butternut squash, lettuce, Brussels sprouts, carrots, turnips, radishes…
• Fairhaven Garden – picked out pecans, jelly, jam, and sweet treats
• Helm Family Farms – honey and honey products
• MO Mushrooms – fresh, dried, & powdered mushrooms, Mane cakes
• OakWoods – chili seasonings, microgreens, salad mix, wheatgrass….
• Yang Family Vegetable Farm – ginger, boc choy, lettuce, spinach, mustard greens

RANCHES

• Clear Water Shrimp – farm-raised shrimp
• Garrett Family Farm – pork, chicken…
• Misty Morning Farm – beef, broccoli, winter squash
• Sunny Lane Farm – grass-fed beef, chicken, lamb, pork

BAKERS

• Harmony Hill – country breads, cinnamon rolls, cookies, biscotti, breakfast and lunch, handsewn masks, and some veggies too like onions and winter squash!
• Redings Mill Bread Co. – chocolates, artisan breads, pizza crusts
• OTHER GOOD FOOD
• DnD Smoked – smoked spices and seasonings
• Good Golly Tamale – frozen meat tamales, gluten free and vegan tamales, mild to HOT
• Juniper Coffee – house syrup, freshly roasted coffee beans, coffee drinks
• Plus – 2 Ts Soap & Stuff

Next week the market and our extension partners begin our virtual Winter Production Conference. Every Tuesday evening in February from 6:30 to 8, you can virtually visit a southwest Missouri farm and learn about year-round growing. February 2 features the Yang Family Vegetable Farm.

Registration is online for the free conference.