Where does all the good stuff go?

Ever wondered what happens to all the fruits and veggies that go bad at the Windmill's WestSide Grocery? I'm not going to lie- in an open-air facility that is only moderately air conditioned, the produce that doesn't sell right away gets tired and we have to do something with it asap.

Enter Pumpkin, stage left.

This rotund member of the Walcott family has been (happily) putting away our tired, rotten and otherwise undesirable produce since she joined their brood about a month ago. And Pumpkin never had it so good! This Vietnamese Pot-Bellied pig will be dining tonight on peaches, yellow squash, tomatoes, and one really nasty potato that we tossed this morning. The tired carrots were commandeered by our part-time check out girl, Lara Wiggins, for the horses she cares for out at Fox Run Farm.

Pumpkin, being new to the farm, is still making friends, and has not been warmly welcomed by all the folks she now lives with. The ducks for example, think she stinks. The burros, though, have taken a liking to her and they play during the few hours a day Pumpkin is not wallowing in the water and mud.

While we hope to sell every bit of produce before it wilts, we can all feel good that it isn't completely going to waste. At least, Pumpkin doesn't think so.

Roman Street This Friday for Brown Bag

We are excited to have Roman Street joining us for this week's 92 ZEW Brown Bag Lunch at the Windmill. Don't miss it- these area favorites are bringing their hot latin fusion music to our patio for the last regularly scheduled Brown Bag of the season. Don't worry, though- we have more weeks of brown bag in the works.

If you haven't seen Roman Street you are in for a treat. These tremendously talented guys (two brothers and some friends) describe their music as having its own brand of fusion with a youthful and spontaneous approach to musical expression. That translates to fun, gotta-move, vibrant music made for dancing in your seat.

Check out the video below to get a taste, and then imagine how much better it will be outdoors on our patio stage with a cold beer in your hand and some Moe's BBQ or MaryAnn's sandwiches??? Perfection.

Untitled from bmDesign on Vimeo.

Windmill in the Washington Post

We recently hosted a Washington Post Travel Writer at the Windmill Market and had the opportunity to tell her a little but about Fairhope and why we all love it so much. The article, written by Andrea Sachs, The Impulsive Traveler, came out Sunday and we wanted to share. We are thrilled to be listed as a place to go when you come to town! But we have to say, we think it is our local shoppers and fans who make us such a neat spot!

Click here to read the article.

Recipe Files

This week's produce Club recipes include:

Black-Eyed Peas and Brown Rice

Mediterranean Farro Salad

Carrot Soup with Orange and Ginger

Smoked Sausage Cassoulet

Peach Blueberry Cake

Recipe Files...

This week's produce club recipes include the following:

Snap Beans with Caramelized Shallots and Roasted Mushrooms

Balsamic Zucchini

Grilled Salmon with Quick Blueberry Pan Sauce

Layered Taco Salad

Sweet Olive Oil Quick Bread

Cheesy Vidalia Onion and Tomato Pie

New to the WestSide Grocery!

It's been an exciting week already at the WestSide Grocery- and its only Tuesday! We have had an influx of new products that I know our fans are going to love.

McEwen and Sons 

Organic Stone Ground Grits, Polenta, Golden Flaxseed, and Rolled Oats

(This stuff is flying out already)

Farm Fresh Meats

Smoked Sausage in Cajun, German or Regular Flavors

Justin's Organic Nut Butters

Organic Peanut, Honey Peanut, and Almond Butters Made in Small Batches

Drinks! Drinks! Drinks!

Jones Sodas, Izze All Natural Sodas, Sweet Leaf Teas, Yerba Mate, Coconut Water, and More!

Recipe Files...

This week's Produce Club Recipes includes:

Grits with Corn and Vidalia Onion

Zucchini Vichyssoise

Spinach Stuffed Zucchini

Red Potato and Tomato Salad
Creamy Cole Slaw
Vidalia Onion Pie
Grilled Chicken and Peaches with Chipotle-Peach Dressing