It’s hard for me to pick a favorite Farmers Market these days. I love each one that I go to for my demos and shopping. They are all as unique as their surroundings. Each has a vibe of their own, lent in part by the vendors, customers and the Market Managers. I can’t remember exactly how I came to find the John Jay Farm Market, or if Jennifer, the market manager, found me; but last summer I made it there three times and loved every minute.
First, you can’t beat the location: it sits right in front of the historic John Jay Homestead, in Katonah, every Saturday. After jumping off 684N in Katonah you make a right on to Cross River Road (Rte 35) and then a first right on to Golden’s Bridge Road (Rte 22), which becomes Jay St. You travel down the slightly winding street about a mile and a half and you’ll find it on your left. The market usually has a live band playing which lends to its welcoming feeling.
I’d been planning since their closing day this past October to be at the opening this year. After a couple of touch-base emails with Jennifer we decided it would be fun for me to collaborate with Cabbage Hill Farm.
A little about CHF: they are dedicated to the preservation of historic farm animals and the small farm. In addition, they practice sustainable agriculture and aquaponics; and increase awareness through an educational model built around a working farm.
Their greenhouse is used to produce high quality greens and fish year round. Aquaponics is the practice of using nitrogen rich water that fish are reared in to grow vegetables. Their aquaponics system is a closed system that uses very little water and land to yield a high amount of protein and vegetables. The fish they farm include Tilapia, Sunshine Bass, and Rainbow trout.
To read more about Cabbage Hill's smoked trout and to see my easy recipe using it click here.
