Meat at the Market? Who knew??

(Apologies for the lack of photos; something's not working right. I will try to post them later today. Wish me luck!)
 While the Holt Farmers' Market is not a meat market, you can buy your meat there. If you are interested in grass fed beef, range-free chicken and eggs from those chickens, the HFM has what you want. Both vendors usually sell frozen products, but ask if you can order fresh items if that's what you prefer.
Country Products, one of the original vendors at HFM, while selling lots of produce, also carries wonderful, hormone-free chickens, eggs, beef and pork. And I'm told  the prices are not out of line with Kroger's beef stew meat, chuck roast etc. Their pork is nitrate-free! Even including their bacon! You can order fresh chicken, and Wilbur, the Amish farmer who runs the stand, usually takes orders for freshThanksgiving turkeys as well, so watch for that. You'll find Country Products in the smaller building.
Olmsted Farms sells Piedmontese Beef, a breed that originated in  Italy but now raised in Charlotte, Michigan. It's selling points are that it claims to be the leanest beef you could find anywhere. It has one-third the chloresterol, one-third the calories, is lower fat and "the highest protein of any beef you can buy," said Dave, vendor. "It is fast cooking and only needs to reach 120 degrees due to being so low fat,"  he added. Dave's friend, who raises the beef, uses no chemicals on his farm, and uses a select feed that contains no man-made chemicals either, so the beef is chemical-free. Dave also has  healthy pork  and will take orders for any of his products if he's out of what you want.
Interested? Visit the web-site: www.LeeLenaupiedmontesebeef.com. You'll find Dave in the larger building, near the flower shop...where you can get your free coffee...and sign up for free Wi-Fi. (but you knew that already, right? :)

New this week: Dicon radishes, a large white radish with a bit of a kick. Used in many Asian dishes and at restaurants. Also blue and red kale and  Stanley plums.
Bountiful and in season: winter squash of all varieties, apples (Ida Reds, wonderful in pies and snacking; Honey Crisp, Jonathons, MacIntosh, my personal favorite, plus more)corn stalks, mums, pumpkins and gourds for fall décor.
Get'em now, because they may be gone next week: Basil still available, but once the temp hits 30s, will be gone. Can be bought in quantity by calling Dennis Greenman, 204-4827. Oregano, sage are still available. Some tomatoes this week, lettuce, beets.

Last week I bought eggplant and zucchini (among many other items), some of which I grilled...delicious! and the rest I'm planning to make into vegetable crisps today. If they turn out, I'll post the recipe on the HFM bulletin board. Remember I get there at 12:30 :). I'm SO not an early bird.