As promised, here is Part 2 of Cornucopia of Local, a holiday market sponsored by the Boulder Farmers’ Market, the Boulder Outlook Hotel, and the Boulder Independent Business Association held on November 21st. In addition to the multitudes of vendors, a series of panels were held, featuring leaders of the Boulder County local food movement. If I could describe the folks involved in this event in one word it would be: passionate!
Starting with Izzy, who was tending the first veggie booth at the entrance of the Boulder Outlook Hotel. She’s part of the Cultiva! Youth Project.
She told me all about the veggies she helped grow and had all the prices memorized.
Too cute.
I also got the 411 on how to make candles from the beeswax they collected from their bees.
I’d read about Kipp Nash and his Community Roots project over the last year or so. Community Roots partners with neighbors who dedicate portions of their yard to growing crops. Neighbors supply the yard, Community Roots grows the crops. Part of the harvest goes to the neighbor, the rest to the Community Roots CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) members and to market. Not only is this project creating community, but they’re creating an environment to inspire future farmers. Be sure to check out the website for inspiration for your neighborhood!
Is that a Jerusalem artichoke in my pocket? Well, yes it is. The Community Roots folks gave me a sample after noticing me ogling them. This will be a veggie post soon.
Ginger Cat Farm had a few varieties of squash that are on the Slow Food Ark of Taste.
And there were lots of Brussels sprouts. These were from Pachamama Organic Farm.
And these were from Abbondanza Organic Seeds and Produce. These little baby Brussels sprouts came home with me. My friend Marc cooked them up. I’ve never had Brussels sprouts melt in my mouth like these did! And yep, this is what Brussels sprouts look like on the stalk. Pretty cool, huh?
This was my favorite find. A true native Colorado plant – the Osha root.
Used in tea, made into an oil, or added to honey. What other native vegetation was eaten by Native Americans in Colorado? Hmmm, I wonder.
This was the last batch of tomatoes and peppers from 2R’s Farm Fresh Produce (at least I think it was 2Rs.I was so excited to find these veggies in November, I forgot to document the name of the farm!) It’s time for them to start planting next season’s veggie crop. And time for me to say goodbye to tomatoes and peppers. Sigh.
Have a great week!
Still wondering what the difference is between a Sweet Potato and a Yam? Check out last week’s veggie story here: Sweet Potato vs. Yam. Blame it on Louisiana. New veggie stories every Thursday.
Did you see last week’s market photos? Click here for Monday Dose of Market: Cornucopia of Local, Part 1. New photos every Monday.
Brussels sprouts stalks – very cool. I like them but we never had them growing up. I wonder if your granddad was allergic to them. Did southern folks typically grow them?
T – Brussels sprouts grow best in the fall, they need cold weather. The best ones have sunny days and frost at night. So maybe not the best suited for Georgia, but not impossible….