American Market at National Harbor

Opening Day!

Saturday, May 4, 2013

10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

(Google photo image)

Tis the season for farmer's markets! Markets have or preparing to open to consumers who know the value of wholesome, sustainable, tasty and affordable foods and to discover unique one of a kind handmade personal gifts for yourself or for  loved ones.  The American Market will open the gates on American Way and the residents at National Harbor, visitors from around the globe, folks attending reunions, weddings, and folks will gather weekly from around the way!

And there's great news! On your next visit to the news stand, pickup a copy of the April 19, 2013 issue of The Washington Business Journal, and review the Industry List of local farmer's markets in the D.C. region . . . Take note, American Market is #13 on the list!

Farmer's markets are popping up in many urban areas across the country and  they are becoming more popular in the Washington region. American Market is one of Maryland’s best kept secrets opening its sixth season in May. Artisans and specialty food vendors are signing up weekly to share and sell their handmade goods.

The farmer’s market is sponsored by and located at National Harbor, a 350-acre mixed use waterfront destination property in Prince George’s County, Maryland.  National Harbor’s residents and merchants and visitors are committed to supporting our local community, be it our local farmers, artists and even our schools—by bringing fresh nutritious food to our residents, giving our artists a place to sell and display their hard work and giving local entertainers and area school students to entertain guests and visitors.

American Market goers will discover bountiful selections of seasonal produce from local farmers including succulent fruits and flavorful vegetables, plants and flowers. Handmade goods from talented local artisans such as; sustainable products, jewelry, soy candles, personal care products, stunning photographs of Washington, D.C., artwork, hand designed skate boards, mouth-watering baked goods, sweet cooling sorbets, Brazilian chocolate Bigadeiros and ganaches, Pierogies, bread pudding, kettle corn, smoothies, and a delightful selection of wines from local Maryland wineries including Boordy Vineyards will also be available.

Some of my warmhearted memories . . .

From the time I was birthed into this world, my parents and grandparents always had a well balanced and healthy meals (breakfast, lunch, supper/dinner) on the table everyday. There was never a day that we did not have vegetables on our plates -- string beans, cabbage, broccoli, beets, lettuce, artichokes, leeks, zucchini, spinach, cauliflower, and more!  But there was one vegetable we always had every week -- greens! Rape, turnip, kale, mustard, cress, and collard greens! And my sister and I learned how to pick, clean and cook all types of greens.

Like most humans, my beloved parents were the type that believed in "traditions."  Without missing a beat, every year mother would cook up a huge meal for New Years Eve; inviting family, neighbors, folks from the workplace and even strangers to enjoy and welcome in a new year.  

One of those traditions mother absolutely would not excuse was allowing a woman to enter the house when the clock struck midnight -- sorta like a Cinderella story, without the glass slippers.  As the first guests arrived she would never allow the first person to enter the house unless it was a man . . . Never mind male "gallantry."  My mother did not miss a beat when it came to this thing she insisted upon -- a gentleman had to cross her threshold at 12:01 a.m.  And believe it or not, women had to wait outdoors before entering the house. Often, I would have to stand in the cold once arriving at the house after night watch service. She would not allow me to come in the house before a man had entered! You had to love her!

Other traditions we shared was the meal; the right food had to be on the table . . . Black eyed peas for luck and collard greens for money! These two food items were the basic necessities to anticipate a great year to come. Needless to say, all of the other twenty "soul" food items placed on the table was enjoyed only to fill the tummy!

 American Market Food Vendor Highlights

We are excited to have another new specialty food vendor at the American Market who has taken a long loved vegetable to a new level . . . Enessilee "Nessa" McClain, founder of www.GoneGreens.com has created a variety of products made with collard greens! 

    "GoneGreens LLC was launched in 2012; the company is an extension of the culinary vision, created from the owner’s first and well received cookbook - The Worlds Gone Collard Greens. The company has ventured into developing innovative methods for the home cooks, specialty stores, restaurants, and caterers to experience collard greens on a totally different level; collard greens are an everyday love affair. Gone Greens, LLC is motivated to transform the collard green into a daily cooking staple, comparable to broccoli, spinach and lettuce. Presently, the company offers collard green based condiments, which are made fresh daily and are branded as FlaVor BleNds. Our Pesto, Chutney, Chili Paste and Pico de Gallo Flavor Blends are great multicultural condiments that are wonderful addition to the American meal experience."

And they're healthy too!

Not only are collard greens delicious, they are very nutritious and are packed with great health benefits!  According to the web site, Nutrition-and-You.com, "collard greens are a highly nutritious staple green “cabbage-like leaves” vegetable. Collards are one of the most popular members of the Brassica family, closely related to kale and cabbage and could be described as a non-heading (acephalous) cabbage. Botanically, the greens are named as Brassica oleracea L. (Acephala group)"

Included below are additional health benefits and facts about collard greens . . .  
Or any type of "green" for that matter!

“Folates, rich in vitamin-C, provides about 59% of RDA per 100 g. Vitamin-C is a powerful natural anti-oxidant that offers protection against free radical injury and flu-like viral infections.Collard greens are an excellent source of vitamin-A (222% of RDA per 100 g) and carotenoid anti-oxidants such as lutein, carotenes, zea-xanthin, crypto-xanthin, This leafy vegetable contains amazingly high levels of vitamin-K, a vitamin that has a potential role in the increase of bone mass by promoting osteotrophic activity in the bone. It also has the beneficial effect in Alzheimer's disease patients by limiting neuronal damage in their brain.  Collards are rich in many vital B-complex groups of minerals such as niacin (vitamin B-3), pantothenic acid (vitamin B-5), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) and riboflavin. And the leaves and stems are good in minerals like iron, calcium, copper, manganese, selenium and zinc.”

Another delicious and healthy product . . . 

Kettle korn! Bigg Poppa's Kettle Corn has been a staple at the American Market for three seasons. A family owned and operated business headed by "Big Poppa," a.k.a. Emiliano Arenas, uses special blends for his freshly popped corn all day at the market. As illustrated on

(www.biggpoppa.com)

the www.biggpoppa.com, Emiliano shares,  

The Beginning of Bigpoppa Kettle Korn

"Finding its beginning eight years ago in Anchorage Alaska, Biggpoppa Kettle Korn continues to specialize in the world’s finest and unique gourmet kettle korn. It began as a means to raise money for those in need and still maintains its commitment to helping others through charitable donations. Seeing how kettle korn was virtually unknown to the east coast, in 2005, Biggpoppa decided to move the operation down to Maryland. We began by vending kettle korn in DC at Capitol Hill’s Eastern Market and other events within the DC Metropolitan area, later moving on to providing our fresh popped kettle korn at FedEx Field, home of the Washington Redskins. 

Starting out by offering just the Original Style Kettle Korn variety, Emiliano began introducing unique flavors unlike any other throughout the world."

"Producing four of our flavors all indicative of the same alluring aroma, crunchy sweet and lightly salted glaze of the Original Style Kettle Korn, with a twist. Each flavor was revealed at the DC Metropolitan Food, Libations & Luxury Home Show, which turned out to be big hits. Today, they are still dedicating to providing the gourmet kettle korn our loyal customers have come to love and expect. Always providing flavorful, hand popped kettle korn using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients."  And we must not forget the health benefits, "whole grains contain as much as four times the amount of dietary fiber than that found in refined grains, and has been shown to reduce the incidence of some forms of cancer, digestive system maladies, gum and coronary heart disease, obesity and diabetes." 

American Market

Our farmers, food vendors and artisans are thrilled to begin this new season. To help you navigate your way through the farmer's stands and as you prepare your weekly shopping list, included below are the seasonal fruits, vegetables, and plantings that are ripe and ready for  picking or planting!

April - Bedding plants, fresh flowers, vegetable plants, asparagus, beets, greens (cooking), greens (salad), onions, turnips

May - rhubarb, strawberries, asparagus, beans (snap), beets, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, potatoes, spinach turnips, Bedding plants, fresh flowers, vegetable plants, beets, greens (cooking), greens (salad), onions, turnips

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Come out and join us every week!
 Enjoy the atmosphere and support our farmers, vendors and artisans!

www.nationalharbor.com, 

click "Things to Do"  then go to American Market
Every Saturday, May 4 until October 26, 2013

You may also find us on:  

Fresh Nation, Patch, USDA, So Maryland, So Good, 

MD Department of Agriculture,Crafter's News, Agritourism World, Lacartes, 
Fodor's, LocalHarvest, Sproutrade, HUFED, NGFN, FaceBook and Twitter

American Market is produced and managed by:

Phenomenal Productions LLC

Phyllicia M. Hatton and Mark A. Wilson, Market Masters   

(301) 910-8076 ~ phyproductions123@gmail.com 

Farmers/growers, food vendors and artisans are welcome to apply!

Is it spring yet?

Lachanette Tucker, Aakofii Designs (20th Annual Capital Jazz Fest)

Or is it summertime?

I cannot tell with the barometer going up and down from one week to the next . . . But there is no doubt, lots of folks are or will be experiencing upcoming seasonal outdoor events which are already in full swing in cities and towns across the United States!  If you've enjoyed attending these festive events in the past, I am certain you will find several farmer's markets and festivals in a  city or country near you!



Soon, everyone will be in the groove and walking in rhythm, experiencing crowded venues, people bobbing their heads to music and barbeque filtering the air. Not to mention, vendors at festivals and markets engaging potential customers to purchase their lovely one of kind items. And of course, folks fussing about how hot the sunshine is -- but everyone loves the sunshine!

Timbuktu (jewelry designer/maker), 20th CJF

That reminds me . . . During a recent visit to the island of Nassau in the Bahamas (October 2012), I was honored to be one of twenty-four ministers conducting a site inspection to determine the possibility of hosting the members at this destination for a future Religious Conference Management Association's (RCMA) annual conferences.

It is a joy to capture images and experience how indigenous people live day to day in the islands. I have visited this island often - about 10 times,  and I always take the time and visit with the residents on the island. The view never becomes too familiar so I snap a few photos of the food vendors nestled under the bridge; leading to the Atlantis Resort located on Paradise Island. 

If you have ever seen photos or visited the Atlantis up close and personal, you will agree that there is a vast contrast between the food vendors and fishermen compared to the visible wealth a few minutes drive over the bridge. 

These industrious natives fascinate me. Every morning they rise, venture to the space under the bridge, set up their 10X10 area and spend the day awaiting customers. Selling produce and seafood is the primary means these dedicated people earn their wages. The folks sell locally grown produce collected from the nearby cluster of islands in the Caribbean. Not to mention the abundant selection of fresh seafood (snapper, grouper conch, crabs, and more) caught each morning. Throughout the day, the island residents head to the vendors under the bridge to pick up their fresh produce and seafood for the family supper that day.  Needless to say, the best selling item is conch! Conch fritters, conch chowder, conch salad, steamed, smoked, jerked, rolled, spicy, raw, cracked conch, conch and more conch!  Yummy!

Now back to the U.S. . . . While watching the television program, Foodies DC, a fabulous restaurant tour around the Washington region, I am always in awe to discover the number of new and old restaurants located in my hometown. Not to mention, savoring the delicious dishes with my eyes promising that one day I will venture to one of the many restaurants that serve appetizing meals -- one day.  A warning to all; some of the dishes the chefs prepare could clog up one's arteries! Best of all, I am tickled that many of the chefs make an effort and go out of their way to purchase sustainable and organic produce from local farmers. And doing so, the food is more flavorful  . . .  Locally grown produce makes all the difference in the world! 

Recently three organic restaurants in the District of Columbia received certification for preparing healthy organic meals to diners. I have had the honor of dining at one of them, Restaurant Nora a few times. The establishment is known as, "America's first certified organic restaurants." Another healthy and sustainable restaurant is Founding Farmers located on the 1900 block of Pennsylvania Avenue. According to their web site, "the flagship location in Washington, D.C. is the city's first LEED Gold Certified restaurant. It's also a Certified Green Restaurant and offsets its annual greenhouse gas emissions through Carbonfund.org. Their Montgomery County, Md. location, also a Certified Green Restaurant, is fully powered through wind energy."

While writing about cooking with organic produce . . . On one of my recent excursions to the Colonial Farm in Accokeek, MD, I learned how to cook the old fashioned way!  A method way before I learned how my beloved grandmother cooked and baked on a wood and coal burning stove.

It was a good thing these dedicated volunteers did all of the cooking; I thought they would expect me to dress in Colonial garb . . . You know, the full experience . . . Cooking in a log cabin, on top of burning logs in cast iron kettles was interesting, but I just wanted to be an observer.  By the way, I also discovered that John, the original owner of the little house where these folks were cooking the meal is buried under the bricks. Rest in peace . . .

Just in case you are wondering, these two folks are stuffing a head of cabbage with ground beef seasoned with natural herbs and spices. To hold it together, they wrapped it in cheese cloth, placed it in the black kettle pot, tucked it deep into the fireplace, and let it cook for about three hours or more . . . Talk about slow cooking. They also made a dish with cucumbers stuffed with sauteed onions, a tossed green leaf salad and a dish made with mushrooms.  

If you peek under the table, you will see where John was buried. Ummmmmmm.

American Market @ National Harbor 

Located on American Way

Opening soon!  

May 4th - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Visit often! Every Saturday! Rain or Shine!

A new project is on the horizon!  In addition to the small business publication that is moving forward (submissions are still being accepted), I am writing another book that will be filled with lots of great healthy information and recipes. If you are interested in submitting a favorite recipe that you are willing to part with, please send it along to phyproductions123@gmail.com.

There's one catch . . . You must create your dish using produce purchased from one or both of our farmers. So, if you are in the area, when you are ready to make that special dish, stop by the farmer's stand, tell them that the ingredients you are purchasing will be used for your dish and send me a note. Oh, in addition to the recipe and directions, you will have to take a picture of the dish! So don't consume it before you snap that picture. Include your name and the name of the recipe.

Farmers and Specialty Food Vendors

Tyson's Farms

Miller Farms

Allie and Trish Sweets

Big Poppa's Kettle Corn

Boordy Vineyards

GoneGreens (dishes with greens)

Gourmet Spices by Joni (dips/sauces)

G's Pierogies

Havana Banana Breads

Puddin’ (bread pudding)

The Sweetest Surrender (sorbet)

Wilhoit's Roasted Nuts

Artisans

Beads by Persia (jewelry)

Big Mama's Blessing Candles

Canvas Photography by Klaire

Casazza Designs (jewelry, hats)

Elements One (jewelry, travel candles)

ET Textiles (handbags)

Habeebah's Herbals (skin and hair products)

Holley Blue Jewelry (silver)

K. Lynn Creations (ornaments, pillows)

Millie's Scented Rocks (aromatherapy)

NativeGrind (long boards)

Reinvented Elegance (jewelry, greeting cards, mosaics, ornaments, using recycled items)

Relaxing Arts (original watercolor, acrylic paintings, giclee prints, note cards, colored eggs, tea cozies)

Sugalump Boutique (children’s hair accessories)

Terry (recycled handmade accessories)

FEATURED American Market Vendor - G's Pierogies

After one year of collaborating with their partners in Pennsylvania, Christopher and Arthur, owners of G's Pierogies will be cooking up authentic tasting Pierogies of Polonia right here in the DC area! G’s Pierogies is expanding its business and will be one of the newest additions to the American Market! These delicious handmade Pierogies are created from a secret Polish family recipe and are made from scratch using the highest quality ingredients. They are sautéed using whipped butter and oil along with traditional fried onions. The puffs filled with goodness will be one of the hits at the market this season.

 
Look for other American Market vendors in future Blogs where we will feature all of our artisans. Creative people offering the best to our visitors; reflecting quality handmade products and produce on behalf of their returning and new customers.

In closing . . . Folks who hang around me at least a minute know that in addition to loving all of God's beloved, two of my favorite things are  . . . Babies and puppies! Adorable!

Meanwhile, we will see you around soon . . . American Market or at the Capital Jazz Fest!  And please stop by and visit us on FB, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, So Maryland, So Good, NGFN, Fresh Nation, USDA, MD Department of Agriculture, The Patch, and more!

Thank you for reading and spreading Joy!