~Stonington circa 1947~
The Stonington fishing fleet is the last surviving commercial fishing fleet in Connecticut. On the town dock stands a granite memorial to fishermen lost at sea. The annual Blessing of the Fleet is partly festive, with food and music, but also has solemn ceremonies, like the dropping into the sea of a broken anchor of flowers, to honor fishermen who have died.
This Sunday, it's our Seaside Social:
Celebrating Connecticut’s Maritime Heritage
Native Americans harvested oysters here as early as 4,000 years ago… in 1638 the first settlers in New Haven witnessed Native Americans eating large quantities of oysters.
Today, the state's largest farms are underwater, with over 77,000 acres of leased and franchised shellfish grounds. Connecticut seafood is harvested from the waters of Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. Catches include sea scallops, silver hake, squid, flounder, butterfish, American lobsters, scup, monkfish and other species.
Seafood at Connecticut Farmers’ Markets:
Only seafood that caught or harvested by commercially licensed fisherman in boats landed in Connecticut is allowed to be sold at certified Connecticut Farmers’ Markets.
Our top notch seafood supplier, The Fish Market, is bringing Stonington Sea Scallops, Salmon, Swordfish, Tuna, Fluke, Blackfish, Porgy Fillet, Cod, Skate, Littleneck Clams, Mystic Oysters, Spicy Seafood Gumbo, New England Clam Chowder, Rhode Island Clam Chowder, Crab Cakes and Lobster Bisque and Portuguese Stuffed Clams.
Sea chanteys: sung by sailors in rhythm with their work~
Don Sineti, folksinger, songwriter, sea chanteyman at historic Mystic Seaport Museum and long-neck, 5-string banjo picker, will deliver rousing renditions of songs from the days of wooden ships and iron men.
When the market bell rings…
In the barn:
Chef Scott Miller and Bartender Extraordinaire Derek Vitale of Max’s Oyster Bar will be cooking for your sampling pleasure: Connecticut Landed Porgie and Clams, Garlic Scape Romesco, Wheat berries and Ice plant PLUS a surprise summer beverage!
Around 12:30... stumped on what to do with a whole fish? The Fish Market offers a free workshop on fish monger FILLETING SKILLS
Two outstanding photographers will show and sell their seaside images~
Josh Proulx Photography will showcase scenes from Cape Cod, Hyannis to Truro to Falmouth… sunsets, lighthouses or water fowl.
Laura Stone Photography returns with images from coastal New England.
In the Holy Grove, THE PONY TRAIN returns!
In the Holy Grove will be face painting! Jenna Rodriguez offers starfish, dolphin, octopus, mermaid and shark designs, and lots more!
Kisha Michael bring us homemade playing dough for kids made with all natural, organic and locally-grown ingredients, and an interactive sensory table with wooden chopping blocks, tools and play clay.
Round Hill Alpacas will bring alpacas Rosie, Selina and Cosmo for you to meet, and Seaside Hand-Dyed colored yarns.
In the market:
Friend of the Market Specials will be found at every booth!
The day’s sponsor is Smiling Fish Designs, who creates pottery and hand crafted fish pendants ~a one of a kind, sassy and whimsical fish fired with lead free glaze… limited Seaside Social edition!
Also with us will be a guest from The Farmers’ Market Trail: Pinc! A boutique stocked with outstanding local handcrafts and textiles including Little Pinc Shoreline custom fabrics and soft goods celebrating the New London area.
Scotties Frozen Custards returns, as does Pease Brook Farm with raw milk and Jonathan Edwards Winery begins as a full time vendor (yes! You can buy wine!)
Sea and Earth Jewelry: genuine sea glass earrings, pendants and bracelets made from sea glass from the beaches of Maine, California and Scotland, U.K.
Wayne's Organic Garden: fresh green cabbage, green or red scallions, delicious snap peas and Portuguese kale, also called "sea kale," the very best for Portuguese kale soup.
New Boston Beef has great steaks… surf and turf ~ steaks, roasts, brisket, ground beef, short ribs, sweet or hot Italian sausage, stew meat and dog bones.
"Never a Dull Minute" knife, scissor, and garden tool sharpening
Grow Hartford: Heirloom Salad Mix, fresh German hardneck garlic, beets, and the very same heirloom 'ice plant' Chef Miller will be serving at the market!
Raw Youniverse has a new catch on the line - Introducing, for the very first time, their Pineapple, Ginger, and Lime Raw Organic Smoothie.
Hurricane Farm: pork chops, sweet sausage, hot sausage, and maple syrup bottled in glass. Hurricane Farm strictly mulches with Salt Marsh Hay on their vegetables. It is extremely soft and easily breaks down into the soil adding all of the ocean minerals to the soil.
Savor Cookies: firefly with Salemme pepper (grown in Cheshire, CT), smoked yellow onion, Nicasia with Urban Oaks organic rosemary, Krakatoa is back!
Terra Firma Farm: (who was on Better Connecticut this week!) lots and lots of EGGS from healthy, happy hens, kept on pasture and protected from predators by livestock guardian dogs Aries & Shepherd, Italian Maremmas.
Keifer’s Kettle Korn: Sea Breeze Lemonade, Chipotle Ale Kettle Korn
Windham Gardens: SWEET CORN!! Yellow squash and zucchini, greens- collards, kale, and red mustard, garlic, herbs, beautiful lily bunches, and lots of other wonderful cut flowers.
Zen Art Glass: handmade, glass Sea Turtle Pendants
Provider Farm: carrots, broccoli and the first cucumbers of season… so perfect they look like they were picked straight out of the seed catalog, and beets bunched with their tops.
Nature's Artistry: Treasures harvested from the sea ~ beautiful jewelry from farm raised pearl, coral and abalone, some with gemstones, and new pearls on leather.
Ruth Baker: "braided" bracelets in new colors and "silly" new bracelets in rubber, some with glow-in -the-dark beads... Silly – fun- perfect for SUMMER!
Summer Hill Catering: Butternut Squash and Leek Lasagna and a new entree ~ Balsamic-Glazed Turkey Meatloaf made with ground turkey, fresh zucchini and peppers with a balsamic glaze on top… fully cooked, just reheat it or slice to enjoy on a sandwich.
Lizzie: New England clam chowder, pulled pork, jerk chicken wrap with mango salsa, black bean habanero wrap, and veggie burger with wasabi slaw
Morning Glory: Garlic Parmesan Bread and Raspberry Swirl Cookies.
Shayna B's: organic carrot cakes, all naturally sweetened, and toasted coconut cakes!
Boxed Goodes: Companion Blends are back - will be fully stocked with Berry Reds, Blue Onyx and Cherry Reds! Having Shrimp or Salmon this weekend? Try their Spring Season Salt!
Sixpence Pie Company: Hot pasties return & finally- blueberry pie!
Swift Farms: plenty of golden honey and bright beeswax candles.
La Petite France: new breads~ apple bread made of whole wheat and regular wheat and fresh apples, chocolate bread, ciabatta loaves and focaccia pizza; and savory options such as sandwiches on baguette or croissant, ham and Swiss croissant and quiches.
Crocker Farm: broccoli crowns, several varieties and colors of lettuce, rhubarb, cauliflower, lettuce starter plants, beeswax bars and tea light candles.
Carol Monnerat Artisan Truffles: Dark and Decadent Chocolate Sauce to drizzle on your favorite treats.
Yummy Hummy: Strawberry Salsa, try it on top of a grilled chicken salad!
Falls Creek Farm: lettuce, microgreens, turnips, radishes, broccoli, squash, fennel, cabbage, kale, Swiss chard, and fresh herb bouquets.
Maggie's Farm: salad mix, carrots, Swiss chard, beets, mushrooms, peas & scallions. Friend's special Maggie's Farm: 1 free marigold plant with purchase.
Highland Thistle Farm: French Butter Lettuce, Swiss Chard, Kale, Beets, Eggs, Beef, Pork, Strawberries, Squash Blossoms and many more fresh vegetables.
Meriano's Bake Shoppe: from the seaside town of Guilford ~ fresh ravioli; lemon pepper pasta perfect paired with a white clam sauce and squid ink pasta that looks and tastes divine with a lobster vodka sauce… add a fresh baguette to soak up the sauce!
18th Century Purity Farm will have strawberries (limited), sweet cherries, rhubarb, radishes, white turnips, onions, and scallions.
Bean & Leaf: Farmer's Market House Blend hot & cold brewed iced coffee, Peach Rooibus Iced Tea and Eithopian Harrar hot coffee.
Christine’s Country Kitchen: Half Sours by the slice, Sugar Free (made with Stevia) Bread and Butter Pickles and Beets.
Howard Valley Fudge: Chocolate Fluff Swirl Fudge, Rocky Road, Chocolate Coconut Almond, and Dulce de Leche.
Fabyan Sugar Shack: Maple Pepper, Maple Garlic Pepper, and HOTMaple Garlic Pepper great with any type of fish, and a full line of pure maple products.
Station Road Pottery: Functional pottery, some in blues and sandy tones to remind us of summer beaches, and small trinket dishes with a seashell imprint.
Easy Pickin's: Strawberries, lettuce, Swiss Chard, Sweet Peas, Sugar Snap Peas, Snow Peas, Kohlrabi, Bok Choi, Broccoli, three types of Kale, Radish, Arugula, Mesclun, Hakurei Turnips, Cilantro, Dandelion Green, Dill, and maybe the first of their field grown yellow and green summer squashes!
Nutmeg Naturals: handmade laundry soap Ocean scent and Patchouli!), solid perfumes, lip balms, bath salts, handmade sachets, and solid lotion bars.
Capa di Roma: all natural, fresh, homemade marinara sauce or Roasted Garlic, garlic makes everything better, especially seafood!
RIPE’s new Agave Punch traces its roots back to 1655 when sailors from England first gained access to rum in Barbados. The sailors sang "One of Sour, Two of Sweet, Three of Strong, Four of Weak." That is: one part lime juice, two parts sweetener, three parts rum, and four parts water, finished with a dash or two of Angostura bitters and nutmeg.
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