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!