MATT'S AMAZING SMOKEHOUSE

Corporate Attorney turned Fish Smoking entrepreneur; Matt of Matt's Amazing Smoke House is truly a genius when it comes to smoking fish.

Matt and his brother Ben (co-owners of Matt's Amazing Smoke House) opened for business this past June; only 5 months ago! The idea came to the two brothers on a trip back to their home state of Michigan where the brothers gave their parents a smoker and a vacuum sealer. That night the family made smoked fish with some Salmon they bought from Costco and a simple brine; they were so surprised by how easy it was to make and well the dish turned out that Ben, who had previous experience with start-ups, suggested they go into business together. The rest is history.

Matt uses only the freshest and best ingredients for his products including Wild Alaskan Coho Salmon, Faroe Islands Salmon, locally caught Blue Fish, and spices grown in his back yard. The facility is an FDA approved converted Lama barn just 550 square feet across. All of Matt's fish is cooked using a process called hot smoking where the fish is thickly cut, brined for a short period of time, then thrown in the smoker for 2-3 hours. The results are a delicious and moist piece of fish with none of the fishy flavor you sometimes find in other commercially smoked fish from the grocery store. Matt also strives to separate his product from others by using original ingredients in his brine which you don't find in his competitor's products.

Matt's Amazing Smokehouse is the only fish we've found locally that compares to the smoked fish at farmers markets on the West Coast! Come on over to the Davis Square Farmers Market, or one of the other three markets Matt sells his products at weekly, and take a taste of one of his three varieties (Taryaki Smoked, Cajun Smoked, or Coho).

Are you already a fan of Matt's Amazing Smokehouse? Please share your opinion in the comment section below!   

    

SPECIAL EVENTS COMING UP AT THE FARMERS MARKETS

Are you interested in learning more about energy efficient cars and the changing world of health care? Then keep reading and make sure you pay one of the following farmers markets a visit on these dates!

Ford C-Max Energi:

Newton Farmers Market (Today!! Tuesday 10/15) and Davis Square Farmers Market (Wednesday 10/16)

    

This unique event is designed to help you learn about the many benefits of the Ford Plug-In Hybrid and their Electric Vehicle lineup; determine whether or not a hybrid or electric vehicle could fit your needs! 

You'll have the opportunity to test drive the Ford C-Max Energi or Fusion Energi vehicles against their top market competitor. A Ford Product Specialist will also be available to answer your questions about the benefits of a plug-in hybrid vehicle.

Everyone who attends the farmers markets and drives will be able to enter for a chance to win a 2 year lease on a C-Max Energi! Visit www.FordPowerUp.com to learn more. If you'd like to join the conversation on social media, simply search the hashtag #FordPowerUp or visit one of our pages.

So come enjoy one of these beautiful farmers markets, buy some fresh produce, and test drive a Ford C-Max Energi while your there!

 

CeltiCare Health:  

Central Farmers Market (Monday 10/21) and Davis Farmers Market (Wednesday 10/23)

CeltiCare Health Plan of Massachusetts, Inc. helps Massachusetts residents achieve better physical and mental health.  They offer quality health insurance at affordable prices including Commonwealth Care Plans, Commonwealth Choice, and CeltiCare Direct.

Founded in 2009, Boston-based CeltiCare offers a new form of local managed care that is tailored to both the needs of Massachusetts' progressive healthcare system and the needs of the local community. Celticare also partners with other healthcare organizations to provide specialty services including behavioral health, disease management, managed vision, nurse triage, dental benefits, pharmacy benefit management, and health coaching.

They will be at our farmers markets on Monday and Wednesday to provide answers to your most pressing questions about your health care! Learn about healthy fall eating habits, the Affordable Care Act, and much more.

APPLES ARE RIPE FOR THE PICKIN'!

The air is getting crisp... fall boots are coming out of the closet... and the time is ripe to visit your favorite farmers market and bring home a peck of fresh-picked apples!

We are so lucky to have an abundance in apple varieties here in Massachusetts. Buy your favorite or explore new varieties! There are plenty of them out there.

Take a gander at our list below for best uses or, even better, ask your farmer!

McIntosh: This two-toned succulent apple is great for eating fresh or cooking up into applesauce and apple pies or crisps as it breaks down easily. Try 'em in the Falmouth Farmers Market's recipe for Oven-Roasted Apple Sauce! 

Empire: A relatively new variety, whose flavor is sweeter than McIntosh and more tart than Red Delicious. The complex flavors make it a culinary hit.

Cortland: Is a great all-purpose apple. Moderately juicy and fairly sweet compared to McIntosh, it browns slowly once cut, making it one of the best choices for use in salads and sandwiches where you want to have a nice presentation. Perfect for the Bowdoin Geneva Farmers Market's Apple and Spinach Salad with Grated Beets recipe! It is also delicious in pies, sauces, and cider.

Granny Smith: For a more tart option, look no further than Granny Smith, this green apple is great for baking and eating fresh.  Looking for a good recipe? Check out the Belmont Farmers Market's recipe for Apple Cranberry Crisp.

Golden Delicious: Yellow in color and keeps well; good for use in desserts, salads and cider.

Pink Lady: Crisp, tart, and honey-sweet; this variety is ready later in the season around mid-October and great for eating fresh, cooking, and baking. Bake 'em up into this Apple Pie, recipe courtesy of the Hampden Farmers Market.

Fuji: Another late season variety, Fuji is a great fresh-eating apple that keeps well for months in the refrigerator!

Some Vendors to pay a visit: Nicewicz Family Farm, Kimball Fruit Farm, Dick's Market Garden, Cook's Farm Orchard (for some delicious apple pies), Foppema's Farm, Hamilton Orchards (for amazing apples and appley baked goods),  and MacArthur Farm
 

Pick up some of your favorite apples this week at your nearest farmers market and let us know how you decide to use them in the comments. Fresh eating? Pie making? Applesauce? We want to know!