Farmer's Market Saturday: Recap and Loot Report

It wasn't a pleasant morning today. Rain. Rain. Rain. The boys were in a pretty stubborn/non-motivated mood, so getting them out the door was made possible by a bribe, a whole wheat cinnamon roll  from the French Oven Bakery to be specific. (Both boys end up wearing the thing all over them by the time we get back to the car, but the peace is so worth the mess!)

The South Anchorage Farmer's Market was lighter in traffic than it had been in the past few weeks, but not slowing down too drastically, if the lines at the Vanderweele Farm stand were any sign. (10-15 deep, folks all holding their vegetables patiently and wishing they'd brought their umbrellas from the car..)

The root vegetables were all there this week, along with the greens. Broccolli and cauliflower still aplenty, and the zuchinni are ridiculously big. (But I recently read somewhere that missle-sized zuchinnis don't really taste that great. Is that true?)

Two types of small, tart apples showed up this week at the Three Bears Farm booth (probably my favorite stall there. I buy his wife's jams each week just to have an excuse to ask him questions about his gi-normous chards of every color. He also sells his broccoli a little more expensive than other vendors, but the conversation is worth the extra $0.75, not to mention the lines aren't insane.) This week I bought Cranberry Walnut Jam. Not sure how walnuts play into a jam equation, but I'm still excited because it means I can go back next week with something new to talk about while I poke the Rabe.

Speaking of insane, Stockwell Farms brought Zesty Garlic and Dill pickles, canned and everything. I've given myself a tummy ache eating them non-stop since I got home. What can I say? Pickle fan.

The Matanuska Creamery cheese ladies were there . I love them. I love their sharp cheddar cheese. One of these days I'm going to strike up a cheese-making conversation with them, because they're fascinating and laugh a lot.I love food people who laugh a lot.'

The Northern Lights Mushroom vendor wasn't there this week, and I missed him. I usually buy a half pound of the oyster mushrooms and sautee them with butter, garlic and onion. Toss in some spinach at the end and wilt slightly and, well...yum. But not this week. (*sad face*)

Hoping for better weather next week, and luck finding those blue potatoes that disappear so fast. I think they're an urban legend.


Happy eating...