Annina, Black Beauty and Littlefingers...

September 6, 2025

No, these are not characters from a Marvel or Disney movie. They are the varieties of eggplant Obercreek Farm is bringing to market this week, a little later than usual this year because those pesky spring rains delayed getting them into the ground. Littlefinger is a new variety for Obercreek and they are pleased with the results: this long, slender eggplant is great for grilling, but also perfect for slicing into rounds and sautéing thanks to its smaller size and more tender flesh. Brian, who works at the farm and sells for Obercreek in Hastings was so excited about the eggplant harvest he couldn’t resist getting artsy with them. 

Last week we gave you a fantastic eggplant parmesan recipe, this week we suggest you make your own baba ganoush, or get out your sheepans for a late-summer vegetable roast, with eggplant, the peppers (so plentiful and colorful at the market right now), red onions, potatoes and mushrooms. Nothing could be simpler, and yet the flavors are so robust, especially if you add some of the fresh herbs making the market so aromatic these days. Serve as a side to any grilled or roasted meat. Or over creamy polenta. or fold into an omelet made with eggs from Letterbox or R&M farms. Use leftovers to add heart and heft to your sandwiches, or for open-face tartines on sliced Miche from Wave Hill with a dab or Maplebrook ricotta.Truly, roasted veggies are the gift that keeps on giving.

As hard as the season has been for certain crops, the nectarines and peaches have been off. the. hook. So while we are technically supposed to be turning our thoughts to apples, at least psychologically, do yourself a favor and eat as many peaches and nectarines as you can before they vanish. Skye Caradonna, of Caradonna Farm, tells me we have a few more weeks to enjoy these stone fruit., rendered extra sweeter by the spate of warm, dry weather late summer has delivered. Consider making these caramelized nectarine lemon bars, the perfect dessert for a party or for after-school playdates, or nectarine ice cream. Or this peach dutch-baby which invites seasonal blackberries to the mix.

We were so glad that many of you discovered Sugar Shack Creamery’s  greek-style goat milk yogurt last week since White Moustache was away. Isn't it good to know you have options? Their mango drinkable yogurt has become the drink to enjoy at the market. I think I counted 5 kids drinking one during my visit last week.

I want to make sure you know that 7 Kitchen Road will be here since they only come once a month bearing delicious seeded flats or crackers to enjoy with your favorite cheese from Second Mouse, or Sugar Shack chèvre, or maybe even some apple jam from Croton Trading Co. also here this week, should you be ready to go all in on apples. 

It might feel a bit like Montmartre at the market this week. We’ve invited Liv Snow, a Chappaqua resident and artist, to pencil sketch your portrait at the market. Get your shopping done then sit for a portrait. How cool is that? Look for the gal with an easel on the grass. A donation of $5-$10 is suggested. 

The Lucien C. Smith Blues Cruise is here and you do not want to miss this band. This is the weekend to bring your friends who may not be market regulars because they know how to bring the energy. Warning: you may be tempted to kick off your heels on the grass. 

See you at the market!