Lucky Sunday’s forecast is for dry skies. Perfect for whiling away a Sunday morning at the A&P showgrounds, reminiscing the previous day at the Wine and Food Festival.

Hot tip for the week: There’s a strawberry special on the menu (Frut4U), tree ripened apples and pears, as well as organic plums (Windsong Orchard) and lots of courgettes. The hot weather is bringing on the chillies too. Below a courgette recipe that makes a great lunch or picnic dish.

Sunday’s buskers are the Blenheim District Highland Pipe Band and folk group Cuttin Bracken. Make it a date with friends and family to see them Sunday morning at the market.

Hot dry summers present a fire risk. Yesterday, Marlborough entered the prohibited fire season. Therefore it’s timely that we welcome the Blenheim Rural Fire Brigade on Sunday.

 

"We primarily respond to vegetation and wildfire related incidents but also support other Fire Brigades and Emergency Services around the region when tasked”, says Rural Firefighter Ryan Anderson.

You will be able to talk to the lads and ladies directly about what you can do to prepare for wildfire with hot and dry weather ahead.

For those who have considered becoming a first responder for this volunteer-based organisation, Sunday will be a good opportunity to support their recruitment drive and grab some information on how to become involved.

Ryan says they will have crew participating in the 2023 Firefighters SkyTower Climb in May and will be fundraising to support their efforts and the charity the event supports.

Quick Facts

Blenheim is 100% supported by Volunteer firefighters.

Blenheim Rural Fire Brigade has a fleet of 6 vehicles and 25 Firefighters able to be deployed to incidents across the region. 

Who else will be attending?

Take a peek on our website homepage, to see which stalls will be attending the following day. We update this page on Saturdays.

From our stallholders

Pedros Empanadas

Unfortunately l had to put my prices up due to the price increases of food ingredients by 50 cents. It will be 4 for $10 or $3 each.

Thanks for your support, Pedro

Mississippi Herbs

Mississippi Herbs has the summer trio of zucchini, tomatoes and cucumbers to enhance your salad... along with some fresh herbs and the first of the chillies, padron and shishito peppers. See last week's Sunday Star Times for Sam Mannering's cucumber salad recipe, just a little different but so flavourful!

Leah

Golden Mile Produce

If you thought that Golden Mile Produce chillies were hot last week wait until you see our first pick of cool eggplants this Sunday. We will also have a kaleidoscope of coloured cherry tomatoes, more stunning green chillies and jalapeños, plus plenty of delicious strawberries. Perfect for iced cold strawberry daiquiris on these super-hot days! This just describes some of the fresh, local, delicious products on offer from Golden Mile Produce.



Don't forget your sun hat and an ice pack to keep your produce in perfect condition whilst getting home!

Sally and Stephen

HOMEMADE.KIWI

THE MULLIGAN POWER BRICK

The amazing, energy giving bar containing Cereals, Oats, Peanuts and Malt. If you are out tramping, kayaking or walking or just having a busy day with no time to stop and eat, this little bar will keep you going all day.

See you at the market.

Alys

SharpAs Tool Tip

Old sheep shears have become a very popular gardening tool. Great for doing edges and made of very good steel. If you have these [does not matter how rusty] or any other tools, knives or utensils come and see me at the Marlborough Farmers' Market on Sunday.

Cheers, Ron

Recipe of the week

Zucchini Tart

With so many courgettes around at the moment, market manager Lynn has put together one of her favourite lunch dishes for use time and time again.

You will need

1 kg Zucchini (Mississippi Herbs, Golden Mile Produce, Field Fresh)

1 red onion (Field Fresh)

200g sour cream or a mix of sour cream and cream cheese

100g feta - Cranky Goat

2 full tsp Pullili - Three Cats

1 punnet cherry tomatoes (Dave’s Produce, Golden Mile Produce)

black olives )– Isobel Olives - and anchovies to taste

anchovies (optional)

3 sheets ready rolled flaky pastry

Makes 3 tarts, using ready rolled pastry

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C.
2. Mark your pastry 2cm from the edge with a sharp knife all the way around the pastry.
3. Bake each of these 3 flaky pastry sheets for approx 10mins.
4. Press down on the inner square when you take the pastry out of the oven.
5. Mix sour cream and cream cheese together, (may in a food processor), then mix in the Pullili by hand.
6. Spread this mixture on the pastry making sure not to go over the marked edge. Using a food processor or sharp knife, thinly slice the courgettes and onion.
7. Spread this over the cream mixture.
8. Cut the tomatoes in half and sprinkle these over, and black olives and anchovies, if using.
9. Season with salt and pepper to taste and pop back into the oven till slightly browned and looking superb. Can be eaten hot or cold, good for a luncheon with a salad, or taking on a picnic.