Sierra Vista Farmers Markets Update for 08-29-19

Christopher Columbus Discovers Chile
Despite what most of us were taught in school, Christopher Columbus didn’t discover “America”.  As far as we know he didn’t even set foot on the North American continent. What some of you may not know though is that Columbus may have been the first European to discover chile.

No, I’m not talking about the South American country, but the incredibly popular fruiting vegetable plant in the night shades family we know as the chile, chili, or chilli. Columbus, upon his arrival in the Caribbean took note of the chili calling it a “pepper” because it was spicy hot like the black pepper known to Europe.

 For you philologists out there, the word chilli comes from the Nahuatl (Aztec) word for chilli or hot pepper.  Interestingly, you may also recognize some other Nahuatl words that we often use.

• Chocolate – from the Nahuatl cachuatl
• Coyote – from the Nahuatl coyōtl
• Avocado – from the Nashuatl āhuacatl
• Tomato –from the Nahuatl tomatl
• Jalapeno – from the Nahuatl Jalapa (Xalapa which is a location)

From its humble origins in northeastern Mexico several thousand years ago, the chili spread throughout central America. Near the end of the 15^th century Portuguese traders introduced the chili to Asia and since then its use has spread throughout the world. Today over 4 million tons of dried chili are produced and over 34 million tons of green.

Did you know one country accounts for nearly half of the world’s green chili production?  For those thinking it’s Mexico that would be incorrect. Mexico is the #2 producer of chilies. It’s not the USA either, they are at #7. Interestingly, Mexico’s 2.7 million tons of yearly chili production is only 15% of what the world’s leading green chili producer China accounts for each year. Coming in at a hefty 17.4 million tons, no one even comes close to China’s yearly chili production.

If you wondering what makes chilies spicy “hot” is a called capsaicin (8-methyl-Nvanillyl-6-nonenamide) and the related chemicals that are known as capsaicinoids. The intensity of the chili’s capsaicin depends on the variety and growing conditions. The chili’s “heat” is typically measured in Scoville Heat Units or SHU for short.  

For those of you who love your food really spicy you don’t need to go to China to find the world’s hottest chili peppers. The United States actually lays claim to two of the top ten world’s hottest chili peppers.  As measured in SHU units the United States – Pepper X comes in at 3.18M SHU, Wales claims #2 with their Dragon’s Breath (2.4M SHU) and #3 goes to the USA Carolina Reaper at 2.2M SHU.

The Health Benefits and Other Uses of Chili
You probably don’t think of Chilies as a good source of vitamin C but just 3.5 ounces of Chili Peppers contain nearly 173% of the recommended DV of this important vitamin. They are also a good source of vitamin B₆ with some varieties also providing decent amounts of beta-carotene. Chilies also contain Iron, Magnesium and Potassium.

People Control
Nearly all of us have heard, read, or watched the deleterious effects of pepper spray when used by law enforcement or even individuals for defense or crowd control. The irritating and often debilitating effects of capsaicin in pepper spray are pretty nasty. On the flip side, capsaicin is also used in analgesic nasal sprays, dermal patches and topical ointments to relieve pain.  

Mammal Control
Because the pain receptors of most mammals are sensitive to capcaicin, the chili has long been used as an effective means of crop protection. In Africa and Asia Chili peppers are often planted around other crops in order to protect them from the ravages of elephants.  By the way, birds are not bothered by capsaicin the same way as mammals, so it does little to deter them.

A Chili Festival at the Market this Week
It’s Chili season in southern Arizona so this week at the Sierra Vista Farmers Market we will be having a Chili Festival. Here are a bit of the tastes and smells to expect:

• Chris Ochoa will be on hand roasting his Big Jim chilies.
• Chef Scott will have his BBQ Cowboy Two Meats Lasagna made with fresh roasted Hatch chilies.
• Ginny’s Eclectic Kitchen will have her jalapeno cheese bread
• San Pedro River Valley Salsa will have their mild, hot, & extra hot salsa & salsa verde.
• Horton’s Farms will have some hot green chilies
• Mickey Jones with (Love Peace & Smoked Cheese) will have his smoked hatch white cheddar cheese, smoked jalapeno pepper jack, 3 Amigos (3 different peppers), and last but not least his smoked habanero monterey jack cheese.
• Designs by Copper Canyon will have bowl cozies and grocery bag holders made with chili pepper fabric.
• The Simmons Honey Ranchito will have jalapeno jelly, red pepper jelly, and candied jalapenos.
• Michael with Just a Pinch will have Santaka hot Asian chili pepper plants. (40K SHU)
• Backyard Gardening & Growing will have poblano, jalapeno, and garden salsa chili peppers.

For all our vendors and their produce and products please see our full vendor list below.

We hope to see you all at the market this week.

Vendors Spotlight

Arevalos Farms
It’s summertime and one of the best treats I can think of is an icecold watermelon to cool you down. This week Aaron Cardona has his sweet Tohono O’dham Yellow Meat water melons. So pick one up and chill it in your fridge or a cooler of icewater and you’ll have the perfect treat for that next summertime BBQ.  Canteloupe are also in season at Arevalos Farms, so be sure to stop by Aaron’s booth this week.

On the vegetable side of things Aaron will have lots of mini spaghetti squash, Carnival acorn squash, zucchini and patty pan for you to choose from. If you like okra, green beans and super sweet red and yellow onions, he has them as well. For those of you with a more eclectic taste you should try Aaron’s purple potatoes and fingerlings, he has them in abundance this week.

Incredible Snacks
Looking for a healthy snack, something a bit sweet, or just some dried fruit to munch on? David with Incredible Snacks has dozens of delicious snacks for you to try. This week he has dark chocolate pecans, peanut brittle, cinnamon apples chips, and so much more. 

Celestial Breads
This week Celestial Breads will have cinnamon rolls with figs, dates, and raisins. They also have pecan rolls and apple pies.  For those of you who love their Egg Bakes your in luck, too. Wrapped in buttery white dough you’ll find fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy lean turkey bacon and cheese all baked to a beautiful golden brown.

Celestial Breads makes fresh calzones and Stromboli every week. Try their chicken calzone with Chef Scotty’s garlic sauce or beef calzone with his famous marinara sauce; both have two cheeses added (mozzarella and cheddar). They also make delicious sweet breads, cinnamon rolls, various types of challah bread and jalapeno bread.

This Week’s Special from Celestial Breads:
Celestial Breads will be offering a Challah special this week: Buy one loaf, get a second loaf for $6.

Special Announcements and Upcoming Events

SNAP – Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program
The Sierra Vista Farmers Market now accepts SNAP and Double Up benefits. Just visit our information booth near the center of the market to swipe your cards. Remember you can use them for all produce, dairy products, meats, spices, baked goods, and frozen ready-to eat meals (such as lasagna), plants that produce edibles like tomato plants and herbs. Double Up is only redeemable for Arizona grown fruits and vegetables, though.

Ride Vista Transit to the Market for FREE
Did you know that you can ride Vista Transit from their Coronado/Wilcox station to the farmers market for free each Thursday? That’s right, it’s free. If the traffic is a bit much for you at the market each week you can park your car at the Coronado/Wilcox station and Vista Transit will deliver you safe and sound to the market. With pick up and drop off every half hour, you can do your shopping and get a ride back to your car without any inconvenience. Pick up at the station is on the hour and half hour. At the market pick up is at 15 and 45 after.  Give it a try and be sure to thank your driver and the City of Sierra Vista for their great service.

Musical Entertainment This Week:

Music this week will be provided by Pat Panther.

We hope to see you all at the Market this week!

This Week’s Weather Forecast

This Weeks Vendors
(Vendors are Alphabetized – attendance at Thursdays market subject to change without notice)

– – Vendor Grown – – Agricultural and Produce Vendors with the – – Vendor Grown – – seal are known to grow at least 85% of the products they sell.
– – Vendor Brokered – – Agricultural and Produce Vendors with the – – Vendor Brokered – – seal do not grow a majority of the produce they sell and are known to purchase a majority of their products from third parties.

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This section is under construction – thank you for your patience.

Ancestral Herbals
 Julee will NOT be at the market this week.

Arevalos Farms – – Vendor Grown – –
Aaron Cardona with Arevalos Farms has a wide variety of seasonal vegetables such as kale, carrots, onions, beets, and canned vegetables.

Backyard Gardening & Growing – – Vendor Grown – –
Zane and Noah Struse will bring onions, eggplant, cherry tomatoes, Italian prune plums, apples, pears, cucumbers, okra, peppers, yellow and white peaches. Garlic grown by the Garden of Eat’in.

Beatty’s Orchard – – Vendor Grown – –
Edith has the newest apples and rhubarb at the info booth.

Bisbee Balms
Frena with Bisbee Balm will have her all natural lemongrass essential oil insect repellent which she has been selling for five years to protect humans and animals from those nasty seasonal insect bites. She’ll also have organic salves for summer issues, insect bites, and stings. All Frena’s products are “kid-safe and friendly”.

Big Skye Baker
Bodie with Big Skye Bakers always has tasty baked goods for you to try.

Big Woody’s

Hot lunch at the market with Sonoran hotdogs, pulled pork, or nachos.

Café Cultiva
Jesse and Jessica will have fresh brewed coffee by the cup. They will also have fresh roasted whole beans from Guatemala, Colombia, Costa Rica, and India. If you need your beans ground they’ll be happy to do so while you wait. If you have a sweet tooth ask them about their been to bar chocolate.

Celestial Breads
Celeste with Celestial breads makes fresh calzones and Stromboli every week. Try their chicken calzone with Chef Scotty’s garlic sauce or beef calzone with his famous marinara sauce; both have two cheeses added (mozzarella and cheddar).

Desert Oasis Soap
Greg brings a wide variety of soaps to the market every week. Ask him for his favorite scent.

Designs by Copper Canyon
Nancy with Copper Canyon has a great selection of hand made bags, pillows, skirts and tops as well as a wide assortment of hand made home décor items to brighten your home.

Dolce Amore
Teresa will NOT be at the market this week.

Echoing Hope Ranch – – Vendor Grown – –
Echoing Hope Ranch will be bring a variety of produce and greens grown down on the beautiful San Pedro River. If you want to help support a great cause, stop by Echoing Hope’s booth and ask them about how they are changing the lives of children and adults with autism. While you are there pick up one of the their t-shirts and help them get the word out about their mighty efforts to fight autism.

Emu Enterprise – – Vendor Grown – –
Roger Taber is getting ready for Labor Day. 5 pounds of ground Yak (95% lean beef) for the price of 4 pounds. That is one pound free.

Four King’s Kitchen
April will NOT be at the market this week.

Ginny’s Eclectic Kitchen
Ginny will have jalapeno bread as a special this week.

Golden Rule Dairy – – Vendor Grown – –
Remember to pick up your raw milk and cream at Golden Rule Dairy. For those of you who like granola the Stride family makes their own healthy granola. They also offer kefir grains. Oh, and not to leave out Fido, the Stride’s also have a variety of deer antlers which make great dog chews. Must be an acquired taste…

Gracewater Farm
Trudy brings seedlings and other plants each week. You’ll find her in Ginny’s booth at Eclectic Kitchen.

Gray’s Garden of Eat’N – – Vendor Grown – –
Clinton will Not be at the market this week, but you can find his garlic at the BGG booth.

Greenstone Pottery & Crafts
Charlatta and Eric are full-blooded Navajo and proud of their heritage. Their pride and skill bring you genuine hand made Navajo artisan works that you will not find anywhere else at the market. Winnie was intrigued by their cedar berry necklaces which are made from the seeds found in juniper berries. Those seeds are also used in dream catchers and their pottery. Stop by and ask them to tell you about their fine works of art. —- This week Greenstone will have Christmas Ornaments and native jewelry.

Hilltop Hydroponics – – Vendor Grown – –
For some of the most beautiful lettuce and greens around be sure to stop by Tom Hanson’s booth. Tom has living lettuce and spring mix available as well as kale. If you ask, Tom will tell you about how he grows his greens hydroponically.

Hone Ranger
Scott the Hone Ranger will sharpen just about anything you bring to the market.

Horton Farms –– – Vendor Grown – –
 Mark and Jessica with Horton Farmers brings fresh tomatoes, squash, zucchini, beans, and carrots.

Incredible Snacks
Each week David brings an incredible assortment of dried fruit and nuts.

Just-A-Pinch – – Vendor Grown – –
Michael Burgess with Just-A-Pinch will have his culinary herbs. Treat yourself this week to fresh mint, and basil. Buy it by the ounce freshly cut at the market or take home a healthy plant. Still available are his Egyptian walking onions.

K-1 Kreations
Kris will NOT be at the market this week.

Ketoluscious Bakery
Janet will NOT be at the market this week.

Krazy Koyote Kettle Corn & Smoothies

La Pina Raw Juice
If you haven’t been to the market recently, come on by and try Alexa’s incredible raw juices. With only the best ingredients Alexa uses a vertical “slow” juicer which helps keep all of the goodness (enzymes, phytonutrients) alive in her raw juices. The result is the best tasting raw juice available. Did I say it tastes delicious? My favorite is the Apple – Ginger – Turmeric – Lemon blend. It’s refreshing with a nice tangy bite at the end.

Alexa also has Kangen Water, a filtered/ionized water produced by Enagic – a Japan-based company who has been a leading manufacturer of alkaline ionizers/water filtration for over 40 years. Alexa is happy to give you samples of her juice and water. So make sure you stop by and give it a try.

Lazy KJ Ranch
Stuart with the Lazy KJ Ranch which specializes in “Farm to Table” all natural grass-fed pork. Stop by their booth and try their outstanding smoked pork ribs, BBQ pork sandwich, white truffle fries with parmesan~romano, double stacked nachos, burritos, and air fried quesadillas. All prepared fresh table side. This week Stuart is offering ribs by the bone along with amazing BBQ pork any way you like it.

Lasagna and More
Chef Scotty will be at the market this week with his mouth watering Lasagna. A consistent favorite at the Sierra Vista Farmers Market, these ready made meals will delight your family for dinner tonight. If you are wondering what the “more” is in Lasagna & More you might also like one of Chef Scotty’s killer burritos. Scottie makes a two meat (beef/pork) burrito as well as a six vegetable vegan burrito. Just a note, all of Chef Scotty’s burritos are lard free.

Lettuce Man – – Vendor Grown – –

Donna will NOT be at the market.

Maggie’s Dog Treats & Accessories
Zia specializes in all natural treats for your pets that do not contain any chemicals or artificial flavors. Treat your pets right and stop by Zia’s booth.

McDonald Farm
Scrumptious baked goods are brought to you by Donna. Try lemon bars, cinnamon rolls, scones, hand pies, and the ever favorite seven nut caramel bar. She also brings chicken and duck eggs.

Mustang Mountain Eggs

Mistik Valley Farms – – Vendor Grown – –
Mistik Valley Farms, a group of young growers, will NOT be at the market this week.

Papa Mike‘s Jerky
Papa Mike and his much loved beef jerky will be at the market this week. Papa Mike has a flavor for everybody so come and find your favorite. His best selling jerky is mesquite flavored and the chili lemon.

Pappardelles Pasta
Erin has dozens of artisan pastas made with organic wheat. She also has gluten-free and vegan pasta as well.

Peace, Love, & Smoked Cheese

Mickey is back this week with a new assortment of smoked cheeses.

Queen Ceviche
This week Feliz has more of her spicy red salsa (with oregano) as well as red chipotle salsa. The chipotle has a slight smoky flavor after your first bite. Don’t forget to try her guacamole or of course her royally delicious ceviche- all are available with a bag of fresh tortilla chips. Feliz will quench your thirst this week with her ice cold hibiscus lemonade. If spicing up your life is more your speed then try Feliz’s salsa or guacamole.

Ruth’s Garden – – Vendor Grown – –
This week Ruth will be bringing beautiful tomatoes and squash as well as many varieties of succulents. Many new herbs in small pots, tomato plants, geraniums and betting plants. Ruth’s Garden also carries organic fertilizers to feed those heavy feeders (plants).

San Pedro River Valley Salsa
Gary with San Pedro River VAaley Salsa will be at the market with their great variety of delicious salsa.

San Ysidro Farms – – Vendor Grown – –
If you are looking for quality grass fed beef or lamb for your next meal or special occasion, Nathan Watkins of San Ysidro Farms will be at the market this week. Nathan has a 100% grass fed beef and lamb. Their heritage cross pigs provide their fine pork If that’s not on your menu tonight then you might try their alfalfa fed and non-GMO grain supplemented pork from their heritage cross pigs. Make sure to ask him about their other fine meat products as well. If a quick bite to eat is more your speed try one of Nathan’s warm (or take home frozen) pasties (pictured).

SAS-Z Nuts – – Vendor Grown – –
If you’d like to spice up your pistachios a bit, Steve has garlic onion, green chili garlic, chili lime and hot chili in addition to premium salted pistachios.

Sky Island/47 Ranch – – Vendor Grown – –
Ranch owner Dennis Moroney tells us that he will bring their grass fed beef and lamb as well as wild Salmon from Alaska. He and his wife Deb make their own peanut butter from certified organic peanuts. Also, they bring all natural churro sheep wool in a variety of colors (no dye added at all).

Simmons Honey Ranchito
Their local mesquite honey is now in season and its the largest crop of the year, its light amber color is beautiful reminder of the wild desert mesquite from which it originates.

Fun Honey Fact: Did you know: Honey is a natural sweetener (sweeter than table sugar) mostly composed of fructose and glucose and about 18% water (the lesser water content the better the quality of the honey). It is rich in antioxidants, fat free, and cholesterol free. Honey is an excellent energy food, so make sure you stash a few honey stix in your hiking backpack, it might just give you that extra edge to make it there and back.

Sivonn’s Garden – – Vendor Grown – –
Fresh backyard garden produce by Sivonn. Seasonal greens and other produce.

Super Natural Organics – – Vendor Brokered – –

Sweet Arizona
Roger and Debra will bring yummy milk  and dark chocolate fudge, brittle, toffee, and samples to try..

Tawin’s Gardens and Crafts
Tawin’s Garden not only brings potted plants and succulents, but she is a whiz with her crochet needle, come check out her cute little cacti and Yodas. They make great souvenirs or gifts for the grandchildren.

Thunder Mountain Alpaca Ranch

Lisa will NOT be at the market this week, but next week on Sept 5.

Tortilla Arevaloes aka Esperanza

Hot lunch at the market or take home her much-sought after tortillas, also available gluten free.

Toy’s Eggrolls

Tigerlily Boba Tea

White Cane Salmon
Not here this week.