Prepping for the Market~

We have a routine for cooking and prepping for the Farmer's Market.   We cook one night then package the next day.    I usually do the packaging but sometimes Theresa will come and start it while she is preparing the sides we are going to bring for the week.   Last week we were all about Salsas and Chutney's but not this week.   Tomorrow we are bringing three different kinds of Hummus. There is Red Pepper Hummus, Roasted Garlic Hummus and a Lentil Hummus made with herbs like rosemary, sage & oregano.     Theresa roasts the peppers and garlic herself then adds her magic touch.    I just got back from packing them out.

Lentil is on the left...Red Pepper on the right --Garlic to be packed~

another view...

The Lentil Hummus has a distinct taste of herbs and a smooth consistency...I see it paired with cheese.   The Red Pepper has a mild taste and the Garlic is well--garlicky with a kick.   Definitely something for everyone....

See you at the Chatham Borough's Farmer's Market~~~

Chatham Farmer's Market 8/7/10~Recap

Yesterday was a gorgeous day at the Market.    We had a good production week and had lots of veggie burgers on hand to sell.   The plan on Market days is that I pick up the burgers and any sides we are selling at the deli early in the morning.   I got a late start and got stuck in a bit of traffic but was able to get there by 8:30 am.   What takes me so long sometimes is the fact I need to pack out and package any of the salads or sides we make....

This week Theresa made two sides with Peaches being the main ingredient.   We wanted to tie into the fact that the Chatham Farmer's Market was having a Peach Festival yesterday since it is National Peach Month.  

She made a Peach/Mango Salsa that was a direct result of customers liking our Peach Salsa and our Mango Salsa she made a few weeks ago.   They kept asking if they would be good to combine...plus the Mangos were very sweet.  I Loved it....here is how we set up our tasting for customers--the combination of the sweet salsa with the salty chips was amazing:

Peach/Mango Salsa on Corn Chips

She also made an incredible Savory Peach Chutney....she texted me to taste before I packed it out----I texted back:  DELICIOUS!!!   Here is the Market's Manager Janice Piccolo and Theresa prepping samples:

Theresa & Janice

Janice was great....she even got the Peach Princess to hand out our samples as she walked around the Market.   Who knew New Jersey had a Peach Queen who has a court of Peach Princess'?   

NJ Peach Princess

 This was a fun day at the Market...we sold quite a few veggie burgers and got such nice compliments on our food.   We even had the help of Theresa's oldest son and my nephew Daniel....which was good because like I said I got a late start.   

Daniel & Theresa

All in all a good day....wonder what Theresa will want to bring next week since the salsa and the chutney went over so well....oh and top seller of the week----our Asian Veggie Burger....description to come!

The Origin of the Barbecue Veggie Burger

Theresa was in a quandary....how to get her kids to like and eat more vegetables.   She had already developed the Southwestern burger but her kids wouldn't eat it because of the spices.   Then she had an idea....kids like sweet...so she decided to make a sweeter veggie burger and put in a vegetable she knows her kids love--mainly corn.    She already knew they like her barbecue sauce because she had been making that for awhile so why not use that with a veggie mix.    What developed was a most kid friendly veggie burger that lots of adults like too.   We had quite the learning experience with this one....I think I mentioned  it before how we never new Worcestershire sauce has anchovies in it....we had to find one that didn't in order to be a true veggie burger.   We found Annie's Naturals which has a vegan sauce--problem solved.   Anyway the Barbecue Veggie Burger is still a very popular flavor but wouldn't you know it  her kids have developed a taste for "spicy" & "hot" and love her Southwestern Veggie Burger too.....

Thoughts about the Market~

Yesterday was such a rewarding day at the Market.   We saw so many returning customers that it was quite gratifying.  One girl said she missed us and bought a few packages of her favorites...which was pretty much at least one of each flavor.   The Mayor of Chatham even stopped by to get some....he said they were one of the best out there....basically comparing ours to ones he tasted in India...which I think was a compliment.  We also had a helper ~my youngest nephew Joseph came and really helped.   He was our pitchman and go to person.   He talked to the customers and sold lots of burgers.   He liked to flip the burger samples the best....something about boys/men and grills.  


Here are some photos I found on an old disc that I had forgotten about:

Chatham Farmer's Market July31st....

Last night was another night of burger production at the Italian Riviera ~ we are truly back in the swing of things.   This week we were on a better roll and didn't stay too late.   I will package them tomorrow.   I am more the assistant than the chef.   Theresa is the real chef as these are all her recipes.   I just chop what she tells me to chop.   I also handle all the packaging ~ which I have down to a system.   

Every week we also try to have some sort of side accompaniment.   Last week we had really wonderful Salsa...there was a Peach or Mango.   This week we will be having Hummus....two varieties --Roasted Peppers or Roasted Garlic.....they are both delicious.    

We are also going to sample our Southwestern Veggie Burger~ Hope to see you there....

Rosemary

Chatham Borough NJ News - The Savory Garden sound bite!

Yesterday was our first day back at the Farmer's Market.....lucky we came as we were interviewed for an online newspaper.....here is the article....just click on it and enjoy~  More later about how we did!

Chatham Borough NJ News - Despite 93-Degree Heat, Families Find Fun and Relief at Chatham Borough Farmers Market

Getting Ready for the Farmer's Market!

We are in the midst of getting ready for our first day back at the Chatham Borough's Farmers Market this Saturday July 24th.   We are really excited to see everyone.

As I write this we are cooking and prepping our veggie burgers for sale.   There is so much to do.....

Besides our usual veggie burgers we are going to have so really fresh Peach Salsa----which goes great with our Southwestern and Barbecue burgers.    Hope to see you all Saturday!