Old Spanish Trail Farmer's Market

06/19/2026

Welcome to the first Tropical Storm of the season, May all of you be safe and dry this morning. This is Father's Day weekend and blessings to all of you DAD'S. The recipe of the week is STEWED TOMATOES AND MUSHROOMS WITH POLENTA- Heat 1 T EVOO in a large pan, add 1 lb mushrooms (oyster, crimini, sh*take, your choice) torn or sliced in pieces. Cook 10 to 12 minutes or lightly browned. Season with salt and pepper. Add 14.5 oz whole tomatoes, 2 small, diced zucchini, 1 c water. Season with salt and pepper, add 1 oz torn basil. Make polenta by boiling 3 c water, 1 T salt, add 1c coarsely ground yellow cornmeal. Cook on low heat about 30 minutes or tender. Add 1 T butter and/or heavy cream for a creamier consistency. Place polenta on a shallow dish and top with stewed tomato mixture. Garnish with more basil leaves. (Lost Boys Mushrooms in Pensacola have a great variety.) John's Co-OP will not be at market tomorrow, called out of town, but will return next weekend. Harker Family Foods will bring lots of sweet and savory preserved items to make great barbecue add to sauce for the best Dad's day events you may have. Come to the corner of Stillwell and Industrial Drive here in Crestview on Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM.

06/12/2026

This week has been hot with the index keeping us dragging. Keep hydrated, watch your children and pets. The recipe of the week is CHOCOLATE CHIPOTLE FROSTING-Beat1/2 c soft butter until whipped, add 1 1/2 t vanilla,1/4 c cocoa powder, 1 1/2 c powdered sugar, 1/2 t salt, 1/2 t cinnamon, 1t chili powder, 1/2 t chipotle powder, beat together. Add 1/4 c room temp hot fudge sauce. Whip until fluffy. Farm Swap will be at market tomorrow. Good chance to check out farm animals and even take home a chicken or two. John's Co-Op will have tomatoes, butternut squash, beets, red and yellow onions, squash, carrots, kale, Swiss chard, Italian dandelion, green beans, some preserved items, and Forest Farm honey. The spring draw will be coming soon. Harker Family Foods will have lots of preserved savory and sweet preserves. No other vendors have indicated participation at this time. Come to the corner of Stillwell and Industrial Drive here in Crestview from 9 AM to 1 PM on Saturday.

06/06/2026

June begins with heat and storms. The recipe of the week is a BROTHY ZUCCHINI AND WHITE BEANS-Sauté 1 large diced onion in 2T EVOO and cook about 4 min. Add 1 diced and 2 sliced zucchini and sauté about 3 min. Season with salt and pepper and 2 T spicy Italian seasoning. Simmer 3 c vegetable broth, 2 15 oz cans great northern beans or 3 c cooked beans, 15 min. Add 4 oz arugula during last 5 min of cooking. John's Co-Op returns this week with squash, yellow and red onions, beets, plum, red and green tomatoes, peaches, and pineapple. Also some preserved items and black beans. Harker Family Foods brings lots of sweet and savory preserves, marmalades, and butters. Come to the corner of Stillwell and Industrial Drive here in Crestview, from 9 AM to 1 PM on Saturday.

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05/29/2026

Last weekend of May, is completed for the year and lots of hot summer days ahead. The recipe of the week is a HONEY GLAZED SNACK MIX that will be great for munching all summer long. combine 6 cups of corn and rice cereal (chex), 3cups mini pretzel twists, 2 cups pecan halves, Melt 1/2 cup butter and mix with 1/2 cup of honey. Pour over cereal mix and toss well. Place on a baking sheet and bake in a300 degree oven for 10min, stir well and continue to bake for 10 to 15min, Cool and store. John's Co-Op has been on hiatus but will be returning to market next week I apologize for the past two weeks and no newsletter. WiFi is a crazy option when available. It is expected to be rainy and no vendors have committed to this point. It will be great to see all of you again. Come to the corner of Stillwell and Industrial Drive here in Crestview from 9 AM to 1 PM on Saturdays.

05/09/2026

The second weekend in May and it will be rainy so please be careful out there. The recipe of the week is STIR-FRIED GREENS-Wash and stem 1 1/2 lb leafy greens (kale, mustard, Swiss chard, collards, spinach) Pat dry and chop coarsely. Heat 1 T peanut oil over high heat, Add greens and stir fry 2 min. Add 1/2 T minced garlic, 1/2 T minced ginger, fry 1 to 2 min. Sprinkle with 1 T soy sauce, serve immediately. As you know Farm Swap is scheduled for tomorrow but the threat of weather may keep everyone away. No vendors have indicated they will be present . John's Co-Op is in Seattle and will be cruising to Alaska on Sunday. No post blog next week from me. Come to the corner of Stillwell and Industrial Drive here in Crestview on Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM. Be safe out there.

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04/30/2026

The first market in May and showers have helped feed the earth with needed rain. The recipe of the week is a CHERMOULA SEASONING MIX- this can be used to season any meat or poultry before roasting or barbecuing. In a bowl combine 1/2 c finely ch onion, 1 T cumin, 2 t finely ch parsley, 2 t mild paprika, 1 t finely ch cilantro leaves, 1 t tumeric, 1 clove garlic minced, a pinch of cayenne, salt and black pepper. Mix well and allow to meld flavors. John's Co-op is currently in Nevada as the traveling nature is in full force. I will be visiting Farmer's Markets throughout my traveling. Not sure how many vendors will be at market this week, Crestview Hydroponics still has lots of tomatoes, herbs, lettuce, and plants. Rick will bring plenty to plants and beautiful plant containers. Harker Family Foods will have lots of sweet and savory jam, jelly, marmalade, and butters. Come to the corner of Stillwell and Industrial Drive here in Crestview, on Saturday from 9 AM t 1 PM.

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04/17/2026

The drought is real so protect your plants and animals especially yourself and stay hydrated. Weather is expected to be cooler this weekend but no worries the heat will come screaming back next week. The recipe of the week is a Roasted Vegetable and Mushroom Lasagna-cut and measure 2 c (1/2" ) cubed butternut squash, 3 c (1/2") sweet potatoes, 2 large sprigs rosemary, 3 cloves minced garlic into a large bowl and toss with salt and pepper' Place on a lightly coated sheet pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 min or veg are tender. Heat 4 c milk until just below boiling, cool 10 min, mix 1/4 c flour with a little water to form a thin paste, then stir into milk and cook until thickened. Stir in 1 1/4 c ricotta cheese. Coat the baking dish with spray. Place lasagna sheet in the bottom of pan, 1/4th of the sauce, 1/4th of the squash/potato mix, 1/2 c sliced mushrooms, and 1/4 of one scallion. Continue layers ending with sauce. Top with1/2 c shredded cheese. Bake 35 to 45 min until golden and bubbly. John's Co-Op will have butternut squash, yellow squash, zucchini, red and yellow onions, poblano and long green chili peppers, beets, carrots, cabbage, Red giant mustard, Italian dandelion, Swiss chard, Forest Farm honey, fresh farm eggs, and some preserved items. Harker Family Foods will have fresh sweet or savory jam, jelly, butter, and marmalades. Check to see if your favorite concoction is on the future list. Rick wIll have plants and some beautiful containers. Crestview Hydroponics has beautiful spring mix, red butterhead, kale, and herbs. Come to the corner of Stillwell and Industrial Drive here in Crestview on Saturday from 9 Am to 1 PM. John's Co-Op will be absent from the market until the 6th of June. Posts will continue as WI-Fi is available.

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04/11/2026

The market is in competition with Flea across Florida that is currently set up along HWY 90. The recipe of the week is a PORK AND GREENS SKILLET PIE-Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a cast iron skillet cook 1 lb ground pork until browned. Add 1 diced yellow onion and stems of 1 bunch of Swiss chard and saute until onion is translucent. Add the leaves that are roughly chopped and cook until wilted. Stir in 2 T fine cornmeal, 1/4 c Parmesan cheese an 1 1/2 c water and simmer until thickened. Season with salt and pepper. In a small saucepan bring 2 c water to a boil, whisk in 1/4 c fine cornmeal and cook until thickened, stir in 1/4 c Parmesan cheese. Spoon this over the pork and greens, then broil until top is browned. Farm Swap will be with us tomorrow-come check out the bunnies, chicks, maybe turkeys and ducks. John's Co-Op will have beets, carrots, onions, butternut squash, zucchini, yellow squash, Swiss chard, mizuna mustard, Forest Farm honey, some preserved items. Crestview Hydroponics will have lots of tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, herbs, and kale. Harker Family Foods will have lot of sweet and savory jam, marmaladed, butters, eggs, and jelly. Not sure what other vendors will have so come check us out on the corner of Stillwell and Industrial Drive on Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM here in Crestview.

04/04/2026

Welcome to April-where are the showers? The recipe of the week is GREEN CABBAGE AND WHITE BEAN SOUP-combine in a large stockpot, 4 c cabbage cut in 1" pcs, 1 c ch leeks (white part only), 1 c ch carrots, 6 cloves of minced garlic, 1 bay leaf,1 1/2 t Italian seasoning, and 1/4 c water and cook until veg are tender. Add 1/4 c tomato paste, 1 15 oz cn of white beans that have been drained and rinsed, 6 c water, and bring to a boil and simmer about 7 minutes until thickened. Discard bay leaf, add 1 T brown rice vinegar, 1/4 t black pepper and sea salt. Serve with ch fresh parsley. John's Co-Op will have cabbage, carrots, onions, beets, yellow squash, zucchini, poblano peppers, long green chilies, Forest Farm honey, black beans, mustard greens, Swiss chard, kale, and some preserved items. Harker Family Foods will have sweet and savory jams, jelly, butters, and marmalades. Rick will bring plants and hand-crafted containers. Come to the corner of Stillwell and Industrial Drive here in Crestview this Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM.