The leaves are starting to turn and our farmers' tables are full of all things fall, most especially pumpkins. One can't help but notice the trend in pumpkin cuisine. Gone are the days of whipping up a plain old pie; the foodie trend has really merged with this standard squash-like fruit. Peeps are getting quite creative with their pumpkin menus... why not try a pumpkin ginger souffle or a pumpkin risotto? I've recently seen a pumpkin flan on a local menu, and then there's a pumpkin polenta, pumpkin ravioli, maple pumpkin cupcakes. You get the gist. Get all chef-like with your pumpkins this fall; tis the season.

Got a sweet tooth? One of our favorite dessert vendors at Pearl Market can fill that need. Cookie Glass makes the most moist, delicious cookies available. Their tag line "sweets worth toasting" comes from the fact that they offer beautiful stemware with their cookies. Think a martini, wine or margarita glass full of sweet treats. They are wonderful for corporate events, wedding favors or birthdays - uber creative and distinctly original. Their cookies also come in sleeves or individually wrapped as they are represented at Pearl Market. Known for their "perfect" sugar cookie, Tammy and Sharon offer a variety of flavors including chocolate brownie, toffee, M&M, chocolate, chocolate chip, white chocolate macadamia nut and many other delectable flavor combos. It's not unusual for these ladies to sell out on a Market day, so make sure to stop by their tent early enough to partake in the sugary goodness. Cheers to Tammy and Sharon for keeping our Market patrons' sweet tooth satisfied.

Let the turning of the leaves be a swell reminder that Pearl Market only runs through October. There's no better time than ever to, as always, Get Downtown!

Last week at Pearl was a good one indeed. Our fourth Tasty Tuesday offered mouth watering fall selections including pumpkin chili and an apple pepper spread (recipes are still available if you missed the party~). And the alley was bustlin' with patrons on the hunt for autumn firsts. Apples and pumpkins are taking over our farmers' tables; nothing screams fall more than a freshly baked pie... hint, hint.

Looking to spice things up a bit? North Market Spices recently joined the Pearl Market line-up. Ben Walters, owner and paprika lover, offers 80 varieties of spices, herbs, blends and rubs. His menu includes all the old-school staples plus an array of unique, one-of-a-kind selections such as sun dried tomato powder, beau monde, chipotle apple pie and Za'taar, just to mention a few. I'm partial to his blue cheese salt, which he recently sampled as a feature flavor on vine-ripe tomatoes at last week's Tasty Tuesday. Make sure to stop by Ben's tent to pick his brain about how to kick things up a notch in your culinary world.

We love to see local chefs buying their menu ingredients at Pearl Market. It's not unusual to spot Alana of Alana's Food and Wine in the alley partaking in our farmers' offerings, and recently John and Lisa Coombs of Harley's Family Farms received a standing order from the head chef at Due Amici for their delicious, pasture-raised chickens. Nothing exemplifies community relationships more than local restaurants patronizing local farmers. Here, here to Due and Alana's for keeping the shop-local cycle thriving.

Sniff, sniff and a single tear rolled down her cheek. This Market Maven for one is sad to announce that there is only one month left on the Pearl Market calendar but it's a good one. Our farmers' tables have never been more laden with harvest bounties. You've still got time; you know the drill, follow that sky-line and GET DOWNTOWN!

Last week was another great weather week at Pearl Market; the crispness in the air was a tell tale sign of the change of season just around the corner. Pumpkins, gourds and other fall goodies have begun arriving at the Market. Keep your eyes out for these autumnal favorites during the waning months of the Market season.

Did you ever wish you had a bib while plowing through a big ole pile of spaghetti? Wish no more, there's a sassy lady in Pearl Market that's got you covered. Becky Counts of Becky Counts Applique makes the most handsome (and practical) spaghetti bibs imaginable. Crafted from soft terry cloth towels, these bibs are long enough to catch even a mishap in the lap. And here's the bonus: they are adorned with a variety of embroidered appliques to suit you or your gift recipient's taste. The selection is vast and clever, including anything from athletic teams, trending favorites such as a cupcake, stiletto heels or bottle of vino, to seasonal and holiday decor. These crafty catch-alls fasten at the back of the neck like a baby's bib for grown-ups. She does the same with hand towels, a sure conversation piece for the kitchen at your next get-together. She also takes custom orders and will work with you on design and concept ideas.

To say sewing is Becky's passion would be an understatement; she eats, breaths and lives the craft. When interviewed Becky admitted that it's not unusual for her sit down at the sewing machine at the crack of dawn and not retire until the evening. She recently launched an adorable line of American Girl doll clothing (many also including appliques) that is flying off her table. Becky is also known for her angels, delicate winged creatures made from vintage handkerchiefs embellished with hand-sewn embroidery.

A veteran vendor, Becky sets up every Friday at Pearl Market. Make sure to stop by Becky's booth to pick up a bib so you can slurp that spaghetti with abandon and no worries about the sauce.

The Market calendar is progressing with only one and a half months left of Pearl Market. So throw on a jacket or sweater, it's a great time of year to Get Downtown.

It's hard to believe that September is upon us. With the approach of fall comes the harvest, which means our farmers' tables will be more abundant than ever with produce and goods. Pearl Market runs through the end of October, which means there are only two more months left to take advantage of the farm-fresh offerings. So make it a point to stop down while the Market is still going strong.

A big Pearl Market congratulations goes out to Cindy Wynia of Cindy's Handmade Originals. Cindy will be opening a storefront in the near future (more details soon). It's always wonderful to see our vendors grow, and we wish the best of luck to Cindy with her new opportunity. Many of our vendors have moved on to open storefronts, including Si Senor Sandwiches and More, Dragonfly Candles & Gifts and Sugardaddy's Sumptuous Sweeties. The Market really is an excellent venue to launch a start-up. Consider becoming a Pearl Market vendor with your next entrepreneurial endeavor. You can find vendor information here.

Here is a list of what's available from our farmers for the month of September: apples, beans, beets, blueberries, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cucumbers, eggplant, flowers, grapes, green onions, greens, herbs, honey, lettuce, onions, parsley, peas, peaches, pears, bell peppers, plums, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, raspberries, squash, sweet corn, tomatoes, turnips and watermelon. The list will grow through October, so it's the best time of year to shop at Pearl Market. But time's a wastin' as the year rolls on, so make sure to get downtown!

Long before the food truck revolution and years ahead of the Ethnic/American fusion foodie trend, there was one innovative fella rollin' around Columbus bringing his Caribbean cuisines to the masses. Enter Red Snapper, or as most refer to him, "Snappa," owner and proprietor of the ever-popular Red Snapper food truck (hitting the streets for six years now) and Red Snapper Jamaican & American Restaurant. Snappa has built a successful empire around his versatile menu and highly-unique flavors.

There is rarely NOT a line when Snappa's truck is open for business at Pearl Market. Wait in that line; it'll be worth it. Famous for his Jerk Chicken Gyro and Island Splash Smoothies, Snappa pumps Jamaican beats from satellite speakers to get you in the mood for his spicy treats. Check out his enticing list of wing flavors: Jerk, BBQ (hot and regular), P.B.& J., Mango, Garlic & Guava. I'm a fan of his Beef Patties, spiced to perfection beef encased in a flaky crust that sell for $2.00. He also offers a late night menu including Curry Chicken, Eggs, French Toast and Hot Cakes, if you happen to bump in to his truck or stop by his restaurant in the later eve. Here's an added bonus: he will deliver to the downtown area during the market off months, so you can still experience some hotness during the long cold winter.

Stop by his restaurant at 1584 Kohr Place (43221) or hit Pearl Market every Tuesday and Friday now through October to experience some "Snappa" goodness, "IRIE".

As Labor Day weekend approaches our farmers' tables are looking quite harvest-ful. More and more fresh produce rolls in every week. There are only two more months of Pearl Market left on the 2012 calendar so make sure to Get Downtown.