<p>It&rsquo;s a Persimmon Party</p> | October 7, 2024

Fresh & Local:

It’s a Persimmon Party!

Typically harvested when they are hard and then ripened on the countertop at room temperature, the persimmon is native to both Asia and North America with two distinctly different types of fruit and many varieties within each type. Astringent varieties, such as the heart-shaped Hachiya or Tanenashi, must ripen fully to a pudding-like consistency before they are eaten. You will know when they are perfect when their skin becomes a translucent orange and their flesh is extremely soft and supple - you do not want to eat the astringent type too soon or you will experience the extremely unpleasant drying, puckered, tongue tingling effects of tannin! Non-astringent varieties, such as the short, squat, almost square Fuyu, can be eaten when they are still firm, producing a sweet mild flavor and smooth texture, but can also be left at room temperature to soften to a custard consistency.

A good persimmon at its peak will taste sweet, mild, and rich with many people describing its flavor as “honey-like.” Persimmons can be eaten fresh as a snack, tossed with salads, roasted, mixed into ice cream or yogurt, or cooked into desserts. Freezing a persimmon, cutting off the stem top and spooning out the cool, smooth insides is a special treat.

You can get persimmons at the market from VEGGI Farmers Cooperative, L’Hoste Family Farm, Fat Cat Farm, Amorphous Gardens. Talk to your vendors to learn more about the specific variety they’re selling to get the best tips!

Picks of the Week:

Did Somebody Say Piñata?

Join us on Thursday at the Mid-City Market for an exciting afternoon celebrating Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month. In addition to all your favorite vendors, we’ll be featuring:

• Fresh salsa tasting with Isabel’s Tamales & Produce at 4:30 and 5:30 pm
• Tortilla making demonstration with Latino Snacks at 4 pm and 5 pm
• Market Piñata at 4:45 pm

Come grab some tacos and snacks for the weekend, and see what surprises you can collect when the piñata bursts!

Sustainability = Profitability

This Wednesday, join us in Hammond for an engaging panel with local small-scale farmers on how sustainable practices in food production and marketing can drive profitability for your farm or small business. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge to make impactful changes. 

Wednesday, October 9th
5 pm - 7 pm

Hammond Research Station
21549 Old Covington Highway Hammond, LA 70403

This event is put on by Market Umbrella, Louisiana Small Scale Agricultural Coalition, Sprout New Orleans, and Louisiana Central.

Fashion Trendsetter at the Market

Ever wanted to strut through the market with the effortless charm of Gus the Golden? Spotted at Sunday’s City Park Market, this style icon was rocking a chic green CCFM bandana and turning heads! Want to level up your market look? Swing by the orange welcome tent at any of our markets, grab your own CCFM merch, and get ready to be as dapper as Gus!

Early Bird Tickets LIVE NOW!

Early bird tickets for Moonlight Market 2024 are available now through October 20th! Don’t miss out on the lowest-price entry to Market Umbrella and Crescent City Farmers Markets’ annual fundraiser, happening Thursday, November 14th. Join us under the Lafitte Greenway Shelter, next to the Thursday Mid-City Market, for an evening of delicious local food, live music, and garden-to-glass cocktails and beverages from Turning Tables!

Stay tuned throughout the month as we announce the chefs and restaurants serving up seasonal bites!

Vendor of the Week:

Isabel’s Tamales & Produce

Hailing from Independence, Louisiana, Isabel and the Mendez family grow a variety of produce on their farm, ranging from okra in the summertime to broccoli and cauliflower come winter. In addition to her fresh produce, Isabel’s is famously known for her freshly made tamales (veggie, cheese, jalapeño, and bean), available at Thursday and Sunday markets, and breakfast burritos, available at Tuesday and Sunday market. Isabel’s well-known tamales and burritos are best paired with her homemade tortilla chips and salsas. Treat yourself to something special at Isabel’s Tamales & Produce at each of our three weekly markets.

Recipe of the Week:

Persimmon Pineapple Salsa

Persimmons are the sweet fruit you didn’t know you needed! With their arrival at the market through VEGGI Farmers Co-op, L’Hoste Citrus, Fat Cat Farm, and Amorphous Gardens, we’ve found a simple recipe to bring persimmons into a meal you might already be preparing. Persimmon Pineapple Salsa: great for chips, tacos, and nachos!