Farmers' Markets This Weekend!

Here's some news about the upcoming farmers' markets this weekend.

First off, the first winter market for the Newmarket Farmers' Market is this Saturday, November 21, from 9 am - 1 pm. You can Become a Fan of the market on Facebook or follow them on Twitter @NwmktFM.

Seacoast Growers is also hosting their first winter market at Wentworth Greenhouses in Rollinsford, NH. Rmember, to get your Popper's Sausage Kitchen orders in by Wednesday with pick up at the Fresh Local booth on Saturday. I also read that Berrybog Farm of Strafford, NH will be at the market with frozen blueberries and other blueberry treats.

And for a second dose of farmers' market, the Newburyport Farmers' Market will be open Sunday from 10 am - 1 pm.Enjoy your weekend!!

Read more...

One Berry, Two Berry

Pick me a blueberry! If you don't have kids or you're not familiar, that's a quote from the wonderful book Jamberry by Bruce Degen.

It's berry season! Well it's been berry season, but strawberries are almost over for the season. But raspberries are in season now and blueberry picking is gaining momentum. Blackberry season will be here before we know it!

So here's where you can pick some tasty berries (here are my favorites):

• Berrybogg Farm in Strafford, NH (PYO blueberries and blackberries)
• Warren Farm in Barrington, NH (PYO raspberries)
• Butternut Farm in Farmington, NH (PYO raspberries and blueberries)

Places I haven't picked at yet, but I hear are great:

• Sunnycrest Farm in Londonderry, NH (PYO blueberries, raspberries and cherries)
• Emery Farm in Durham, NH (PYO blueberries)
• Inkwell Farm in Epping, NH (PYO blueberries)
• McKenzie's Farm in Milton, NH (PYO raspberries)
• Ridge Runner's Farm in New Durham, NH (PYO raspberries and blueberries)
• Spiller Farm in Wells, ME (PYO raspberries and blueberries)
  

For lots more PYO farms all around NH and beyond, be sure to check out Pick Your Own or Seacoast Harvest (NH and ME specific).

Berries are so easy to freeze and can be canned simply as well (I'm still eating last years frozen blackberries and blueberries)! I have found great guides from the Pick Your Own site:
How to Freeze Berries
How to Can Homemade Jam

Berries are also great to bake with...here are some of the recipes I've made in with blueberries in the past year:
Blueberry Yogurt Muffins
New England Blueberry Muffins
Blueberry Crumb Bars
Verry Blueberry Muffins

Can you tell I like blueberries and muffins? Hopefully I will branch out and share some other berry recipes with different berries!

What are you favorite berries and berry recipes? Happy Berry Picking!

Read more...

I've Been Mentioned!

Be sure to check out Berrybog Farm's awesome weblog! As I mentioned previously, I was there last week picking berries and had my photo taken.

So grab your pail and head out to the farm and pick some nice blueberries then snag one of my blueberry recipes and indulge!

And if you're coming from the Berrybog Blog, welcome and I hope you'll stick around!

Have a great Tuesday everyone!

Read more...

Berrybogg Farm picking update

Oh man was the picking glorious this morning! The berries hung off the bushes like bunches of grapes. I picked just over 10 lbs and I am planning on going back for one more round.

I picked up their Berrybogg Farm blueberry cookbook (only $3). I'm excited to try their blueberry lemon cake. I'll also be making some more Verry Berry Muffins.

There are plenty more blueberries (and blackberries, which I snagged 1/2 pint) that are ripening so make sure to head on over to get some berries for recipes or to freeze for the winter. Happy picking!

(Oh and scroll down for my Dover farmer's market haul post from today as well.)

Read more...

Blueberry picking!

Wednesday morning I'm off for some blueberry picking at Berrybogg Farm in Strafford, NH. Supposedly the crop has held up through the rain and the bushes are in need of picking. I hope to pick at least 10 lbs. Anyone else go blueberry picking this season? I've already been once to Locke's Blueberry Farm in Barnstead, NH. I picked 7 lbs when I was there. My two kiddos love blueberries though, so I need many more pounds to sustain them through the winter (and all the yummy blueberry recipes I'm finding)!

So I'll update everyone Wednesday afternoon with how picking went and how many pounds I picked. I am also planning on stopping at the Dover Farmer's Market (open from 2 pm - 6 pm). If anyone is interested the Dover, Exeter and Portsmouth farmer's markets will be having canning demonstrations. I want to pick up one of the fact sheets that discusses how to store all the vegetables and produce. Someday I may get into canning or at least freezing my produce for the winter months.

I hope everyone is having a fabulous week!

Read more...