Squash, St. John's Raffle and Uncle Flatty At Lyme Farmers Market

Summer Squash

In North America, Squash is loosely grouped around three varieties. There is summer squash, winter squash, and the game of squash.

Summer squash includes Pattypan, Yellow Crookneck, Yellow Summer and Zucchini. They are harvested when immature and the rind is still young and edible. With a short storage life, they are better when eaten freshly picked. Squash blossoms are also a treat.

Winter squashes include Acorn, Butternut and Spaghetti. They are picked when the rind is mature and hard. It is important that they are harvested before the first hard frost and two inches of stem remain on the squash. This helps prevent spoilage. Under the right circumstances they can be stored over the winter.

The game of Squash is a four-walled court game using a small rubber ball played by physically fit people who have six figure incomes. It is recommended that this sport be avoided by people who suffer from claustrophobia. Instead they might try golf, deep sea fishing, or hot air ballooning. However if you have asthma, are prone to seasickness, or have acrophobia, maybe you should just take up checkers. King me.

Squash is considered one of the “Three Sisters” planted by native Americas. These three native crops-squash, beans and corn were a major part of early diets. These three sisters should be differentiated from Laverne, Maxene, and Patty, who made up the Andrew Sisters during WWII. They had a big hit with “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”. In the latter part of the 20th Century there was also June, Bonnie, and Anita who recorded and toured as the Pointer Sisters. For some reason sisters apparently come in threes. My guess is that after three daughters, the parents gave up hoping for a boy and threw in the towel.

Most folks identify squash as a vegetable, but botanically speaking they are a fruit because they contain the seeds. By this definition, cucumbers and tomatoes are also fruits. Potatos and carrots are vegetables. Bloomsday and Hooligan are neither fruits nor vegetables. They are cheeses made by Cato Corner Farm. I thought I’d just throw that in as a free shout out to Cato Corner.

You’ll be able to get your squash from a number of our vendors. Bassette and Killiam, Dondero Orchards, and Hidden Brook Gardens should all have them. We are also adding a couple of other farmers to the line up so there will be plenty of squash.

There will be more squash than you can possibly eat. Isn’t that a pleasant thought.

Uncle Flatty Plays On Saturday

St John’s Raffle

I hear they have a Corvette to raffle off this year. I bet you can see yourself cruising in this car, a 4 inch St Christopher statue glued on up there on the dashboard. Actually I don’t think the St Christopher thing is done anymore. I think he got downgraded from a Saint to a myth. Bummer. Anyway, St Johns is bringing the Vette by the market on Saturday. Buy yourself a raffle ticket and have a chance at cool. You need it.

Guest Vendors

Another Stephanie, Stephanie Morton, is coming back with her handwoven rugs. She’s been one of my favorite guest vendors this season. She lends a little class to the market and boy do we need it.

Cindy Fencher from Hidden Art Gallery will be rolling out her stuff. She’s becoming a regular.

Dorothy Cohen is coming with her natural beauty products.

Annie Chittenden is attending her first market of the year with Kindknits. These are knitted goods that have the sales donated to local charities. Who is better than Annie?

North East Clean Power is coming to teach you all about solar energy.

Lox & Loaded is coming with their cream cheese spreads. Just what you need for your summer cocktail party.