This Week at the South Durham Farmers' Market

This Week at the Market

• Greenwood Commons 5410 HWY 55 Durham, NC 27713
• Games: Cornhole
• Samlpling: Sweet Potato and Ginger Soup
• In Season: Cabbage, Tomatoes, Radishes, Apples, Peppers, Broccoli, Bok Choy, Flowers and More!

The Sweet Potato
Growing up, not only did we relegate sweet potatoes to once-a-year Thanksgiving side dish, but we also couldn’t get their name right—we always called them candied yams. But, as I have gotten older, and especially after moving to North Carolina, I have discovered the culinary versatility and nutritional benefits of the sweet potato. It is now on my dinner plate at least once a week.

As you likely already know, sweet potatoes do particularly well in North Carolina, and our state has ranked #1 in sweet potato production for over forty years. These tasty tubers love our hot, humid days and warm, equally humid nights. Fortunately for us, this means we have no shortage of SDFM farmers with O’Henry and Covington varieties of sweet potatoes.

And, don’t be fooled by their deliciously sweet flavor; sweet potatoes are definitely part of a healthy diet. They are an excellent source of fiber, beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin B, potassium and manganese. Plus, they have a very low glycemic index. In fact, some of the longest lived people in the world, the Okinawans, rely heavily on the sweet potato. Though their variety is purple, it is quite similar nutritionally.

There is no end to the ways you can prepare the orange tater. Just two Saturdays ago at the market, I tasted a new sweet potato preparation. Down 2 Earth Farm soaked raw sweet potato slices overnight in water and vinegar and voilà: a fresh, healthy snack.

In addition to having piles of sweet potatoes at market, we also have sweet potato greens available from Pine Knot Farms. The leaves are tender like spinach with a very mild taste. Plus, Mommo’s will be back this Saturday with their creamy sweet potato pies made from local tubers. Come enjoy autumn at the market!

Calling All Craftspeople!
We are hosting the second annual Holiday Crafts Market on Saturday, December 7th. If you have a craft, check out how to apply here.