December is here, which means it’s time to get busy decking the halls, picking out the Christmas tree and holiday shopping. And with this Louisiana weather, we never quite know if we will need to break out our scarves or our shorts tomorrow. One certainty is the lineup of fresh produce at the local farmers markets this month.
Citrus fruits reign this time of year, so expect plenty of satsumas, navels and grapefruit. To keep it healthy for the holidays, cruciferous veggies like cabbage, Brussels sprouts and broccoli will also be around.
You’ll also want to give a warm welcome to the selection of root vegetables at the market. Pick up your choice of beets, potatoes, sweet potatoes, radishes and turnips—perfect for a holiday feast—all month long. Like many of us this time of year, these vegetables love the cooler weather.
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Mushroom Maggie’s Farm will be bringing two new varieties of mushrooms to the stage, so keep your eyes peeled for chestnut mushrooms and pioppino, or black poplar, mushrooms.
As we enjoy the new crops of the season, we will have to part ways with some of our warmer weather crops. Zucchini, yellow squash, peppers and eggplant will be phasing out this month.
Those looking for locally made holiday gift should check out the Red Stick Farmers Market for some seasonal goods like Old Thyme Cane Syrup in festive packaging. Lena Farms will have its signature hibiscus teas infused with winter spices, and Plantation Pecan will have pecan tins, pralines and chocolate-covered pecans.
Fresh from the Market cooking demos
Dec. 1: Gaye Sandoz, LSU Incubator
Dec. 8: Lucie Monk, Country Roads Magazine
Dec. 15: Chef Sara Salgado, Bonanno’s Fine Catering
Dec. 22: Chef Jeremy Langlois, Houmas House Plantation
(held Saturdays at 10 a.m. inside Main Street Market)
Red Stick Farmers Market Schedule
Thursdays
8 a.m.-noon
Pennington Biomedical Research Center, 6400 Perkins Road
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Saturdays
8 a.m.-noon
Main Street Market, Fifth and Main streets
Seasonal Markets
Tuesdays
*last market of the winter season is Dec. 18*
8 a.m.–noon
EBRP Main Library, 7711 Goodwood Blvd.
Thursdays
*last market of the winter season is Dec. 13*
9 a.m.-noon
Exxon Mobil YMCA, 7717 Howell Blvd.