Farmers Market features fresh blueberries

The hot, sunny days of summer just wouldn't be complete with enjoying a good bowl of berries.

And those who like berries are in luck.

The Pea Ridge Farmers Market is featuring blueberries, just in time for all those delicious summer recipes.

The area may have been a bit pummeled by rains this spring, but that is leading to a bountiful crop of berries for local residents.

From berries and cream, homemade blueberry muffins or a homemade topping for pancakes, the market will have a bountiful array of berries for all kinds of recipes -- or just eating them straight out of a bowl. The Farmers Market will feature blueberries for about two weeks, said Farmers Market coordinator Carol Roper.

This Sunday, the market also will feature Vanzant peaches, which are well-known in the Pea Ridge and Rogers areas, Roper said.

Other popular items at the market include veggies, with cabbage and broccoli still being available since they are cool weather crops.

"So far, we have several varieties of pepper, green beans, yellow squash and potatoes. This is just the beginning of the summer veggies and all those are summer varieties," Roper said.

Roper is expecting vine ripe tomatoes and blackberries in the next two weeks.

"There are some tomatoes and blackberries out there but they are tomatoes from the hoop houses and blackberries that are GMOs. The thornless blackberries have been genetically altered to be thornless and bigger," Roper said.

"My wild blackberries are just now turning red and won't be ready for another couple of weeks. And, believe me, they are not thornless!"

The market, which is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays, offers a variety of beautiful purple and yellow cauliflower, baked goods, veggies and quality eggs, as well as jams and jellies, flowers and much more.

Just in time for all that summer grilling, the market is offering meats from J.D. Hudson, including steaks, chicken, pork chops and more.

The market also offers a Raspberry Jalapeno jelly that makes a fine glaze on meats of all kinds, especially those you grill, Roper added.

The market takes place at 197 Slack St. For information, visit the Pea Ridge Farmers Market or Heritage Gardens on Facebook.