This week at Smart Markets Oakton Farmers' Market

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Thanks for the warm welcome you gave Shenandoah Seasonal last week. Ali was thrilled with the interest and appreciation you demonstrated, and I know you will be thrilled to be able to buy sustainably grown greenhouse greens and produce in January. Their layers are fed non-GMO feed and come pretty close to being organically raised chickens. They have also found a processor for their stewing hens — the layers that have stopped laying — and they will bring them all winter also. These chickens are best suited for soup and stock — they are not plump and have little meat but make flavorful and gelatinous stock, which is scientifically proven to open your sinuses when you have a cold. Mother was right on this one.

This week we will introduce another new farm. The Wilkes Family of Honey Brook Farms will bring us more chicken, baked goods including some gluten-free items, granola, eggs, and more. They will be with us just for the winter market, but we hope to get to know each other over the winter months so that we can capture them for some of our new markets next year.

Not to be overlooked in all this “new vendor” activity, Heritage Farm is sending newly processed pork and lamb and will have lamb sausage for at least a few more weeks. It seems to be selling very fast. You may want to stock up now and have some in your freezer when you crave it next, for those kids home from school, or for holiday guests that may pop in over the next two months. They are still bringing the new ice cream flavor, Salted Caramel, which is the best-ever accompaniment to applesauce cake or apple pie. And I noticed that this month’s Flavor of the Month is a chocolate with cocoa nibs flavor — just the ticket for the chocoholics out there.

Don’t forget to sign up for your Thanksgiving turkey. And check out these tips about prepping and roasting your free-range turkey to better prepare for the challenge. From my own experience, I reiterate everything you will read about how much faster these turkeys bake. Start checking by wiggling the leg (or taking its temperature) at least 30 minutes earlier than you expect it to be done.

If you’re looking for something else to serve this year, talk to Doug at Angelic Beef about ordering a rib roast or a tenderloin. Or just cook Comforting Shredded Beef with Softly Simmered Onions to have on hand throughout the weekend. All of his roasts will work well in the recipe.

Welcome back Max Sr. at Tyson Farms. He was surprised by how busy we were last week. Let’s keep him happy! Janie is really moving her little hummus and bread kits, and Emmanuel will be sampling at least two of the best cakes I have ever eaten — Strawberry Shortcake and a carrot cake without that weighty and often too-sweet cream-cheese frosting. You may place your order anytime, and I am pretty sure you will.

Heritage Farms, Tyson Farms and Ignacio have gorgeous veggies still, and we have new recipes for sides, including our popular Tangerine Carrots and Turnips with Ginger and Orange. We also have several ideas for sprucing (or spicing) up your mashed potatoes this year. And if you are looking to do something new with sauerkraut, we have a recipe from an old restaurant in Dayton, Va., for a sauerkraut salad. With all the lovely greens in the market at this time of year — especially arugula everywhere you look — you can have a locally grown salad on the buffet this Thanksgiving or Hanukkah, with local apples or pears and good local cheese from Heritage Farm. And don’t forget the egg nog, which is even better this year.

Nyall at Celtic Pasties will have Beef & Guinness, Cottage Pie Style, Chicken Alfredo, Early Thanksgiving, Colcannon, Spinach & Feta, and Cheese & Onion. Even I managed to run out of pasties this past weekend, and I work hard to keep some in the freezer at all times. Winfield Farm is hoping to have mushrooms this week along with some new sunflower shoots, which are really tasty. And last but not least, we expect to have Arka at Kustomcoffee back with his new coffee-bar offerings. You can’t beat a top-notch latte to warm your cockles as you shop the market. Whatever “cockles” are.

I hope I have you salivating just a little and looking forward to all the good things you can buy and make in this season of comfort and joy.

See you at the market!