The Greeley Farmer’s Market is at the old train depot every Saturday morning through the summer. Every time we’ve been there, the line to the bread vendor stretches almost out to the street. Are people waiting to buy sweet rolls, fresh pretzels, or big crusty loaves of unsliced bread? Probably all of the above. Also popular are the fire-roasted chilis. Vendors are situated on the far ends of the market, to give lots of room to their roaring propane fires. The aroma of chilis turning and popping in the big screen drum is heavenly. The guy turning the handle to rotate the drum was posing for pictures when we were there Saturday.
Several years ago, we bought a BIG bag of those. Fresh fire-roasted green chilis that had to be split, skinned, seeded and repackaged into recipe-sized freezer bags. The bag we bought took two of us all afternoon at the kitchen table to get them done. I portioned between three and five good-sized chilis into a bag. I think they were Anaheims. The chilis we have from that day are almost gone. We’ll buy a smaller bag this year.
Lay the chilis nice and flat to freeze, and you can pull them out and slice them how you want before they thaw. Several bags of those and a shredded pork shoulder roast with diced onions and your choice of spices makes a wonderful batch of green chili for smothering burritos. There’s no comparison with grocery store sauce out of a jar or can. I don’t use a recipe, but here’s one from a non-paywalled page for “Colorado Green Chili.” My own comments on that recipe are to use a pulled pork roast instead of cubed stew meat. Instead of oregano and cloves, we like cumin and red pepper flakes. I’ve never used tomatillo salsa. Put in what you like and make it your own!
Earlier this season, we brought home cantaloupe, kohlrabi, sweet corn, yellow squash, tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini. The melon was delish, we’ve been having zucchini bread for breakfast and snacks, and it was the first time we’ve tried kohlrabi. Kohlrabi was a challenge to peel and has an interesting flavor. I bought a splashy yellow and brown flower; I don’t remember the name, but it will look nice with the black-eyed Susans that are already there. It’s supposed to be good in our dry Colorado climate.
This week, the internet told me that Palisade peaches were in, and sweet corn was just starting the last time we were there, so it was time to go back. Fresh sweet corn — the peaches and cream variety — is our favorite. We buy a bunch, cook it all the same day, and pig out on it the way our parents would never let us do when we were kids. The rest of it is ready to warm up and eat for another few days. When you cook it all the first day, it doesn’t sit and continue to ripen and get chewy and hard. Our method is to bring the pot of water to a rolling boil, drop in the peeled corn, put on the lid and bring it back to a boil. When it gets back to a full boil, set a timer for 7 minutes. Remove from the pot and enjoy.
What is your favorite thing to shop for at the farmer’s market? Which market do you visit? What is your favorite way to prepare your farmer’s market purchases?
Other Colorado News
Broncos Snatch Defeat From The Jaws Of Victory in Arizona Preseason Opener
I recall a cruel NFL meme announcing immediate open tryouts for a Bronco field goal kicker. Open to anyone age 8 to 80 who owned a pair of cleats and could get themselves to the stadium. They need to post that one again. Missed field goals Friday night cost Denver the game; heck, even one field goal would have saved the day. Final score was 18-17, Arizona.
Hank The Tank (turned out to be Henrietta) Arrived In Colorado Last Tuesday
She has a new home at The Wild Animal Sanctuary’s Refuge in Springfield, CO.
WELCOME HOME! Hank the Tank (Henrietta).
Hank the Tank, the 500-pound Black Bear who gained fame for breaking into homes in South Lake Tahoe, California, has arrived at the Wild Animal Refuge near Springfield, Colorado. Hank – who was later found to be a female and now referred to as Henrietta - is doing well and is getting used to her new surroundings inside a temporary introduction enclosure which is located within a 230-acre forested habitat.
— The Wild Animal Sanctuary at The Wild Animal Refuge, Springfield, CO
Speed Record Colorado Fourteener Climbs by CU student, Erin Ton
Social media backlash was fierce for allegedly missing one, but it was an impressive accomplishment by a CU student.