A Sure Sign of Summer

Nothing says “SUMMER” to the Kempf family like a trip to the Farmers Market. While I have never considered becoming a vegetarian, during the summer months when fresh fruits and veggies are in full supply I could easily get by with no meat.

For most of our time in Brentwood, TN (17 years) we were spoiled with Johnny Howell's Farmers Market being very convenient. The Howells own their own farm in Bellevue, TN and operated 3 locations—one near Hillsborough High School in Green Hills, one at the Nashville Farmers Market  and the 3rd on Franklin Road in Brentwood. The manager of the Brentwood spot liked me not only because I was a regular customer, but also because she and I shared a love of UK athletics. A typical trip consisted of getting her advice on the freshest and best produce plus talking a few minutes about the Kentucky Wildcats.

Our convenient shopping site went away in 2008 as a problem developed over the lease between the landowner and the market owner.  Since they didn’t reopen in 2008, I began to search for another convenient location.  While our Nashville Farmers Market is fabulous, it is a bit of a drive from where we live.  I did find a small produce store--Maxwells Produce--a bit farther than the Brentwood location, but not as far as the Nashville Farmers Market and have been going there for our cucumbers, peaches, corn, green beans, melons, new potatoes, green peppers, and any other fruit or vegetable you can think of for the past two years.

Last year, I inquired if they would be getting any Ripley tomatoes and the owner said he had a trip planned the next day to meet a supplier for a shipment.  He put me a few bags aside and I am glad he did—you can’t beat Ripley tomatoes—they say the soil in Ripley, TN is THE BEST for growing tomatoes and that’s why they are so good. maxwell's is on Nolensville Road approximately 1/2 mile south of Harding Place and Nolensville Road intersection.

Robin and I love pickled cucumbers and keep a container at all times during the summer months. Some people like to add onions but I prefer just the cucumbers. Always use small, bumpy cucumbers.

I stopped on the way home last night from work and picked up our first batch of cucumbers along with some tomatoes and corn--yes, my trips to the Farmers Market are a sure sign that summer has arrived.

 

Peel and slice the cucumbers to the thickness you like—I like mine thin.

 

Place in a container that can be sealed and cover with Heinz salad vinegar and water—1:2 mixture (or to your taste---the more vinegar the stronger the flavor)—we aren’t too precise with this step and they are always great--add a splash of Luccini Pinot Grigio vinegar for some extra flavor.

 

Salt and Pepper

 

Seal the container and let stand for a few days before eating.

 

Add additional cucumber slices as the inventory goes down and replenish the liquid as necessary. One original container can last a long time through this system.