Originally published at West Bank Living
What a gorgeous Saturday! Sun shining, a sky so clear it almost hurts to look at it, and the fall breeze is finally blowing. What a perfect day to be outside on the West Bank. After showing a couple of houses this morning, I spent some time wandering around the farmer's markets, picking up a couple of things here and there and taking pictures. How was your Saturday?
First stop, Gretna Farmer's Market
Besides all of the salsas and sauces and fresh produce, there were some wonderful homemade breads. After much deliberation, I chose the tomato, olive and goat cheese pizza bread- YUMMY!!
While strolling through the market, I saw that a gentlemen was selling muscadine wine, so I stopped and asked him about muscadine jelly. It's one of my favorites...my grandmother used to make it for us all of the time, but I rarely find it anywhere. He didn't have any, but he kindly suggested that I try some of the other local farmer's markets - it's out there, I just need to find the right person. OK, I know just where to go.
Back in the car and off to the Westwego Farmers and Fisheries Market.
There were pony rides for the kids (and some adults too!), a band playing on the stage, local art on display, and lots of fresh produce. After grabbing my bag of satsumas, I continued to explore. Finally, JACKPOT!
A table full of jams, sauces, pickled green beans and (YAY!) muscadine jelly. Nichole Rodrigue, of Jovial Jellies Pickles & Preserves had a great selection of reasonably priced items and will even create made to order gift baskets all year round. I can't wait for breakfast tomorrow - anyone want to join me for coffee and a hot, buttered biscuit with muscadine jelly?
Please support your West Bank businesses!
- The Gretna Farmer's Market is located on Huey P. Long Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets and is open every Saturday from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, rain or shine.
- The Westwego Farmers & Fisheries Market is located on Louisiana Avenue in Salaville and is open every Wednesday and Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, rain or shine.
- Jovial Jellies Pickles & Preserves - visit them at the Westwego market. You can order gift baskets by calling (504) 352-5115 or emailing Nichole Rodrigue at nlrivere@cox.net.
If you are considering buying or selling a home on the West Bank of New Orleans, please contact Lisa Heindel. It would be my pleasure to assist you with all of your real estate needs.
Copyright 2008. Lisa Heindel and West Bank Living. All rights reserved.
Sounds great but now I am hungry!
If that is local fresh produce, you're lucky. Ours is gone. But, we have winter fruits and vegetables, squashes of all types, apples of every type.
We go with the season.
GREAT, beautiful pictues of your produce and farmer's market. Our weather out here in the West is simply awesome, as well, but the farmer's markets are gone and I am quite jealous of yours!
What is "muscadine jelly?" I have never heard of it.
I did go to a "Craft Fair" at a friends house today and bought a couple jars of "Raspberry Chipolte Sauce!" Yummy! It will be great for the Holidays!
Anyway ~ It was great reading about your awesome Saturday, enjoy your Sunday!
Mel, I warmed up the pizza bread and had it for lunch - delicious!
Lenn, we are very lucky down here in the south! Our growing season is pretty long because we don't have harsh winters and the citrus groves are only a few miles from my house - fresh oranges and satsumas every fall.
Terrie, a muscadine is a type of grape that is used to make both jelly and wine. I have a hard time finding the jelly, but it's worth the search :) The Raspberry Chipolte sauce sounds wonderful!
Hi Lisa! You know I always love your Localism posts but, your photos are so beautiful and remind me of the farmer's market that I used to shop every weekend--before I went into real estate!! I haven't been in quite a few years since I always seem to be working on the weekend or getting away if I don't have a client!
;-)
Nice photos, I aways forget the West bank is here, only kidding but you know how we East Bankers are. The weather was great. I showed a condo on Julia Street and took a walk around the area for a couple of photos and blog ideas afterward. Had lunch at Lucy's who has very good hamburgers and lots of local flavor.
Nice to see you at the Hilton and wished we would have had time to talk. However we need to get all the 5-6 boggers togeather before the holidays.
Got a basket of lemons from a friend this week. Its hard to eat or use 15 lemons when you think about it
Ohhhhhh, Lisa, you found muscadine jelly?!? Gosh, I haven't had any of that in a very long time. I recently found some mayhaw jelly -- now, I'll have to search for muscadine jelly. I think one of my Uncles used to make Muscadine wine but I don't remember ever tasting it. But I remember the flavor of muscadine jelly. :)
Lisa, It was cold, rainy and windy--I am envious of your sunshine and warmth. Not to mention FRESH vegetables--we lost our Farmer's Market years ago and I miss it! I'm so glad you're enjoying yours!
Eric, it was nice to run into you this week - we DO need to get together soon!
Judi, it's my favorite. You know how when you get a taste for something and nothing else will do??
Carole, it's cool here now, but definitely not cold yet. Do you not have a farmer's market at all anymore?
Debe, oops, I skipped you! I've been trying to get to the market in Westwego for weeks now and finally had the time - it IS hard when you're busy selling as many houses are YOU are :)
Lisa, yes, I do know how it is when you get a taste for something and nothing else will do. . . I now have a taste for muscadine jelly. :) I'll have to see if I can find some -- also some fig preserves would be really good. :)
Judi, aw man....now I need fig preserves too!
Lisa, I absolutely LOVE fig preserves!!! I'll be looking for some too. Hmmm, I'll have to see if I can find them the next time I go home. I'll have to ask Derenda about a Farmer's Market in the Lake Charles area that I can visit.
Hey, that's okay! I just had to come back to say that our markets are open in the spring and summer--those times which I was busy!! Times are MUCH slower now and, of course, my favorite markets are closed! ;-)
Lisa ... Fabulous pictures girl .. !!!!! pippa