Community at Crescent City Farmers Market | October 9, 2023

Fresh & Local:

Community at Crescent City Farmers Market

Congratulations to Chef Serigne of Dakar NOLA for being recognized by Bon Appetit as one of the top 24 restaurants in the country of 2023! As a weekly and 7-year-customer of CCFM, Chef Serigne has made a point to adapt his menu to what’s in season and what's available from local producers. Indian Springs Farmers Association, Poche Family Farm, Veggi Farmers' Cooperative, Know Dat Grow Dat, Mizell’s Farm, and Gingerbooch are a few of the many vendors Chef Serigne directly sources from each week. In talking with him about his connection to the market, he shares how important it is for chefs to be connected to and in relation with local producers so that they may adjust their menu to use what is seasonally available. By coming out to market and conversing directly with producers each week, he is able to craft his menu with the freshest ingredients produced from those he's in community with. From the flowers out front his restaurant to the fresh ingredients in each hand-crafted dish and beverage, his connection to local vendors is at the heart of his work. In sum, Chef Serigne shares, “everything we do at Dakar NOLA is community”.

Picks of the Week:

The Green Queen of Citrus Returns -
All Hail Satsumas

Finally - fruit is filling out the market, satsumas, to be exact! Cousin to the tangerine and clementine, this citrus variety has been grown in Japan for over 700 years! In the 1800s, the satsuma made its voyage to the New World and has been cultivated in southeastern Louisiana parishes ever since. This loose-skinned citrus is easy to peel and makes a great on-the-go snack for kids and adults alike. Sweet, juicy and a vitamin C powerhouse, its day-glo juice is like a cup of liquid sunshine and New Orleans’ first taste of fall. While the first of the season are usually green, rest assured that sugar content testing has verified that they’re plenty sweet now, and those sugars will only develop further as the season progresses. Great for juicing, mimosas, glazes and much more, these orange orbs can be stored for up to a month in the fridge. Find them at Tuesday and Sunday Markets through the winter!

Read about Constantini’s Journey to
CCFM in Gambit Article

Chef Michael Constantini, known for his delicately crafted pastas, sauces, and pestos was recently interviewed by Gambit about his journey to CCFM. He grew up in an Italian-American family outside of Boston and moved to New Orleans in 2012 and quickly entered the local restaurant scene. During the pandemic, he started his own pasta-making business, and has been pasta-tively successful ever since!

Look Who’s Back!

It is officially fall, meaning the market is welcoming back many of our valued CCFM vendors! Returning from their summer hiatus, you can find Passion Flour back at the Thursday Mid-City market with their visually-striking and delicious pastries, cakes, and drinks. Sprout NOLA has also returned to the Thursday market, offering a range of value-added and agricultural products from small-scale farmers and producers working to scale up as a part of the Sprout Truck Farm Table program. Additionally, Too Tall Farm & Nursery can now be found at the Sunday and Thursday market with an abundance of plant starts ready to join your fall garden. As the temperatures continue to cool down, we look forward to welcoming back to market growers like Faust Farms, River Queen Greens, and Perrilloux Farm with a wealth of fall crops including brassicas - broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower.

Vendor of the Week:

L'Hoste Citrus

In 1981, Lester and Linda L’Hoste began their journey into the world of citrus farming and they have been certified organic since 1996. Their mission is to produce the best products for their customers; they would like to extend a warm thanks to everyone who has supported their farm and family over the years. After damage from Hurricane Ida, the L’Hoste’s son wanted to join in the family business as well. This allowed them to expand their offerings this season beyond satsumas, grapefruits, and meyer lemons to include heirloom pumpkin, squash, peppers, tomatoes, cantaloupe, and canary melon, “the sweetest melon, you’ll ever taste” according to Lester. Look for winter veggies like broccoli, brussel sprouts, and kale as the seasons change. Find L’Hoste Citrus at Tuesday and Thursday Markets.

Recipe of the Week:

Quick and Easy Small Batch
Satsuma Marmalade

Orange you glad citrus season is here!? Ease into a season full of recipes surrounding Louisiana’s favorite citrus with this straightforward satsuma marmalade recipe from Seasons & Suppers. Visit L’Hoste citrus for a bag of satsumas and a meyer lemon, be sure to get there early before they sell out! This recipe yields 16 oz of marmalade good refrigerated for up to three months for slathered biscuits, flaky pastries oozing with marmalade, or a sweet swirl to yogurt.