Patch Picks For The Renton Farmers Market: July 12

It is heating up at the Farmers Market. Last week, the temperatures hit 80 degrees and the crowds were teeming with people taking home fresh lilies, cartons of succulent strawberries and a bounty of fresh produce. Here are Patch's Picks for this week at the market.

1. Misty Mountain Honey, from Carnation, offers Washington varietal honeys so sweet you'll pucker when you taste it. And, tasting is encouraged at this vendor stand. They also offer handcrafted beeswax candles "made by the beekeepers wife."

If the only thing you have used honey for is your tea, think again. It is good for dips, marinades, in smoothies, in Greek yogurt, on top of grapefruit, mixed with butter on top of your english muffin or biscuit, or drizzled on an apple for the kid's afternoon snacks.

Who knew that honey has scores of health benefits, and is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and is good on burns?

Wow.

Misty Mountain offers a variety of honey including desert flower and sunflower.

2. Speaking of sweet. Have you tried Ms. Margie's Sweet Potato Pie? You need to.

Richard Tynes lovingly makes his mom's "good old Southern recipe" handed down to his wife from his mom. Mom was from Mississippi and the tradition was to give the recipe to the wife, not the son.

After 35 years in construction, Tynes has found another passion, he says. He cooks the pies right here in Renton at his Creative Kitchen Works kitchen.

The pies sell for $2 for a 3" pie (get there early, these sell out every week), $6 for a 5" pie, and $12 for the 9" pie for the family.

3. While we are on a roll with sweets this week, you might get your chocolate fix at the market at Oh, Fudge! Owner Ann Smith has been a mainstay at the market and the Renton Piazza festivals for years and has a loyal following.

There are 15 different kinds of fudge to choose from, including butterscotch, white chocolate and raspberry.

But Smith doesn't just sell fudge. You can get mini-pies ("they are the new cupcake" Smith said) in a variety of flavors like strawberry rhubarb, peach, peach/raspberry, and cherry.

And, if all of those sweets haven't tempted you enough you might try her cookies or banana bread.

4. Now that you've collected your sweet treats, you might want to sit for minute in the shade and enjoy a cool refresher from Oak Hill Farms, the oldest vendor at the market. Marty Wheeler oversees the operation of shaved ice which is continually the most popular vendor at the market on hot days.

You can spot the kids who just visited Marty by the purple or blue telltale rings around their mouths.

There are 32 flavors of shaved ice and Pink Lemonade.

5. You've had your sweets and your cool drink; now it is time to buy something healthy for dinner and head home.

How about carrots this week? A lot of vendor stands are stacked with them right now. It's an often neglected vegetable in my house, but they are so good for you and tasty.

How about a new preparation? I give a nod to Jamie Oliver from the Food Network, to my take on his recipe.

Carrots baked in chardonnay. Yes, chardonnay.

Heat your oven to 425 degrees. Using a large piece of aluminum foil, roll up the sides to make a "bowl."

Scrub carrots and cut into 3-inch pieces and place in the alumnum foil boat (easy clean up). Add cumin seeds and a handful of fresh thyme (from either the market or your garden).

If those flavors don't tickle your fancy, try fresh dill or basil.

Add a couple of tablespoons of butter and a glass of chardonnay.

Salt and pepper to taste. Cook until carrots are tender, about 30 minutes.

The carrots are super with grilled seafood or salmon.

Save a glass of chardonnay for you as you reflect on another great day at the market.