Blueberries, Cannolis, and Alt Music

I’d get out my Howdy Dowdy bowl and fill it with cornflakes, cold whole milk, blueberries, and lots of white sugar. Then using the biggest spoon I could find, I’d dig into this wonderful summer breakfast wondering what trouble lay ahead for the day. Blueberries helped fuel many adventures in my misspent youth.

Blueberries rank second only to strawberries on the berry popularity chart. Over 200 million pounds are consumed every year in North America alone. You might be surprised to know that a lot of these pounds don’t find their way into many muffin mixes, cereals, and other products that are advertized as containing “blueberries”. You always need to read the ingredients. I do a lot of my ingredient reading when I’m eating the product and the empty box is propped up in front of me. I know it’s too late to do anything about it, but I like reading while eating and sometimes the empty box is the only thing around. I formed this habit when I was a kid to see what I could order from the back of cereal boxes. One time I got an “authentic Indian belt”. It was leather with all these colorful little beads sewn into it. It was the best belt I ever had.

Speaking of Native Americans, blueberries grew wild when the first colonists arrived. Paint was made from blueberries by boiling them in milk. Some historians have speculated that the color blue in our flag is a nod toward blueberries. I bet you didn’t know that. I bet you also didn’t know that a pig’s orgasm lasts for 30 minutes. Now you have two new things to talk about at your next cocktail party.

There are two basic types of blueberries- highbush and lowbush. Originally, all blueberries were of the lowbush variety. They were rather small and somewhat difficult to pick so in 1911 hybridized highbush blueberries started to be grown. Although these bushes produced a larger berry and prevented lower back pain, they did nothing to prevent the sinking of the Titanic which went down in 1912.

Today, most lowbush berries come from the State of Maine. They are noted for their sweetness. Highbush berries also have their fans who prefer a big plump berry. Highbush blueberries are generally ready earlier in the season. Maine berries are usually harvested during a two week period in August.

Nutritionally, blueberries are low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. They are a good source of Vitamin C, Vitamin K and Magnanese.

Blueberries are one of the few foods that are actually blue in color. Blue sno cones are not authentic. Blue life savers are not authentic. Blue jay feathers are authentic, but not a food. Even my cat spits them out.

There’s blueberries everywhere at the farmers market. Don’t forget Slammin’ Jammin’ Shannon’s blueberry jam.

Throw ‘em on your pancakes and cover the whole mess with maple syrup and you’re living the good life.

Cannoli Food Truck is Back

How good were those Cannolis the last time Merianos came to the market? This is died and gone to heaven for your sweet tooth. If you missed sampling these puppies at Old Lyme’s Midsummer Festival last week, you missed out. Don’t blow it this time.

Debra Alt Plays at Market

Debra is debuting at the market this weekend. This should be some nice relaxing music. Let’s see what she has to offer.

Guest Vendors

Lyme Garden Club is showing up for the first time this season. I’m told that a few men have joined the club to help with the heavy lifting. I’m not sure what heavy lifting there is, but I guess plants can get some weight on them. I just hope the men have a real interest in gardening and haven’t joined to hit on my girlfriends.

Lox & Loaded is coming. You know I love that cream cheese spread.

Annie Chittenden is bringing KindKnits this Saturday. Fall is just around the corner. How much does that suck?

NE Clean Power will get you off the grid. When the world starts to implode you’ll be glad you talked to them.

Mystic Cheese makes their debut. I’ve heard a lot of good things about this outfit. Let’s see if they can live up to their reputation.

Allie Fiscus has been adding fun stuff to t shirts all summer and she’s here to sell them to you.

We didn’t have a Kids Market this year, but Sammy and Rachel Barretta don’t care. They’re honey badgers when it comes to selling cookies. lemonade and crafts. Half the proceeds are going to the Ray of Light Farm in East Haddam. Good kids doing good things for other good people. Some of you adults should pay attention to this concept.

Glenn Cheney is here with books and eggs. You go figure it out.

And finally- Melissa Punzalan is still out on appeal and will be here with her jewelry. Didn’t she make a great witness at the Whitey Bulger trial?