Category: farmer’s markets

City Market Report: Week 6

It was one of those Saturdays. Even with the incessant noise of the construction crews working across the street, we did not want to get out of bed this morning. So by the time we got ourselves down to the City Market today, it was already noon.

Still busy

As expected, many vendors were already sold out of their precious seasonal produce – it was the last week for asparagus from Edgar Farms, and they were down to asparagus seconds when we arrived. Sundog Organics were also down to a handful of items – though they were out of arugula, we picked up some spinach, pea tendrils and oregano from them.

Out of asparagus bunches!

The early birds get the best selection at Sundog Organics

We were not only shopping for our week’s groceries today, but also for a Slow Food Edmonton solstice supper. Everyone attending was tasked with bringing something to be cooked in Colleen and Vince’s fabulous wood-burning oven, and our assignment was toppings for three nine-inch pizzas. In the basket went tomatoes from Gull Valley Greenhouses, Portobello mushrooms from Mo Na, and goat feta from Smoky Valley Goat Cheese.

 Intriguing sea asparagus from Mo Na (apparently, like a saltier version of asparagus, can be cooked the same way)

Smoky Valley Goat Cheese

The line-up at Ocean Odyssey Inland was long, but that gave us some time to explore some of their countertop goods, such as their salmon dog biscuits. Can you say gourmet?

Dog treats from Ocean Odyssey

Once we crossed everything off my shopping list (including fielding a call from my Mum who asked me to pick up a pound of shitakes from Mo Na), we wandered through the Park(ed) festival along 102 Avenue, which had been closed specifically for the event.

Park(ed)

Park(ed), in its first incarnation this year, promotes car-free transportation, and featured different booths and activities highlighting active lifestyles and alternative modes of transport. I loved the little tracks of grass (though I hope they end up planting them somewhere), and the area where visitors could try out bicycles, including tandem bikes!

Downtown Edmonton Community League patch

Ikea display

Spin class on the street!

If only getting bike lanes were that easy, eh?

Pick your bike

Before we returned home, we couldn’t resist our first Fat Frank at the market. It was tasty, as always.

Mack loves Fat Franks!

See you at the market next week!

City Market Report: Week 5

The clouds parted this morning for a beautiful day at the City Market, among other activities happening on 104 Street today. In addition to a pancake breakfast put on by the Downtown Edmonton Community League, the Al Fresco 104 Street Block Party was also taking place, with all funds raised to go towards the E4C Edmonton School Lunch Program.

Pancakes!

Breakfast under the sun

As a result of the supplementary activities, many of the vendors (including Greens, Eggs and Ham) were relocated to 102 Avenue, and the main thoroughfares were more narrow than usual.

Busy market street

Still, even with the crush of patrons, it was difficult not to enjoy the day. We ran into a ton of people, and it really reminded me that markets can and should be community meeting places.

Andreas at the Greens, Eggs and Ham booth

Zach, Julianna and Gabe’s We Eat Together was selling like hotcakes (they will be back on a Saturday in July and another in August)

There also seemed to be a great number of dogs at the market today, and I remarked to Mack that we should try and snap a photo of a puppy. Happily, the owners of Julio didn’t mind. Nor did Julio mind – he actually posed for the camera!

Julio – so adorable!

The second of the City Market’s monthly cultural festivals also took place today – the crowds were treated to tasty Portuguese treats and colourful dances.

Of course, our main purpose of visiting the market was to pick up the week’s groceries – eggs from Sunshine Organic; onions from Green Valley Farms; tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers from Gull Valley and Doef’s Greenhouses; herbs from Inspired Market Gardens; and duck eggs and breast from Greens, Eggs and Ham. We even sprung for morels from Mo-Na (I suppose it was only a matter of time) and a package of Martin Munchies, a whole grain barley snack for Mack’s Dad to try.

Martin Munchies

 Beautiful pea tendrils from Edgar Farms

Cucumbers from Kuhlmann’s

Always lush greens (arugula, this time) from Sundog Organics

We ended our market trip with a stop at Credo Coffee, where it was absolutely packed. I (sadly) had to work this afternoon, but the pain was lessened somewhat by my iced vanilla latte which accompanied me to the office.

Geoff hard at work

My iced vanilla latte – perfectly smooth and creamy

Here’s hoping for equally beautiful weather next weekend!

Eva Sweet at the Alberta Avenue Farmers’ Market

Every time I visit Alberta Avenue, I find something new – small businesses, developments, uplifted facades. For that reason, I do think the neighbourhood is worth checking out now and then, particularly with the Avenue Theatre up and running.

Today, in search of waffles and a convenient meeting place, May, Annie and I converged on the Alberta Avenue Farmers’ Market (93 Street and 118 Avenue), which runs year round on Thursdays from 2-7pm.

Annie is beary happy! (I couldn’t help myself)

The market just celebrated its one year anniversary last week, and I was excited to see how it had changed since I visited in 2009.

Steve & Dan’s Fresh B.C. Fruit

Unlike last year, only three vendors (including Steve & Dan) were set up outdoors. Unfortunately, the sparse numbers were mirrored inside.

Alberta Avenue Farmers’ Market

Most of the twenty-odd vendors sold prepared food (Little Jack Horner Homemade Meat Pies, spring rolls, baked goods) and crafts (cards, quilts, cat condos). Besides a single protein vendor and one greenhouse selling tomatoes and cucumbers, I was quite disappointed with the selection of fresh goods.

Tomatoes

I hope the summer brings more produce vendors, but with the sparse crowds during our brief visit, I had to wonder about the typical traffic at this market. Of course, I think it’s a great location and neighbourhood for a farmers’ market, but I do hope things continue to expand, both in patron and vendor numbers!

Inside the market

After buying some tomatoes and apples, we headed back outside to (finally) give Eva Sweet a try. While this waffle truck hasn’t quite taken the Edmonton blogosphere by storm in the way Duchess Bakeshop did when it opened, I have a feeling the frenzy for food trucks will be picking up soon.

Bamir Basha of Eva Sweet

Truck operator Bamir was very friendly, eager to share his experience with us as he prepared a maple waffle for Annie and a cinnamon one for me ($3 each). He said because of the dry Edmonton air, it was actually more difficult to get the waffle batter to rise here than in Belgium, where he ran a waffle truck for five years.

Hardly containing my excitement

Though whipped cream and real fruit syrups were available, we ate the hot waffles unadorned, which was Bamir’s recommendation. The caramelized pearl sugar provided a sweet, slightly crunchy exterior that paired well with the cinnamon, while the inside was soft and forgiving.

Liege waffle

Bamir said he will be offering his waffles this summer at the Dutch booth at the Heritage Festival. I wouldn’t suggest you wait until August to try Eva Sweet, however – besides the Alberta Avenue Farmers’ Market, they are also at the Beverly Farmers’ Market on Tuesdays from 4-8pm and in front of the WCB Building (107 Street & 99 Avenue) from 7am-2pm on weekdays. You can also follow them on Twitter!

I’m already looking forward to my next waffle…

City Market Report: Week 4

It was a glorious day for the City Market – and besides not needing rain boots, an umbrella, or gloves this morning, I was able to walk to 104 Street, along lush, grass-lined paths and under the generous shade of trees just bursting with green.

En route

The crowds were back, mirroring the opening weekend in their numbers and frenzy for fresh produce.

And, they’re back!

Patrons and vendors alike seemed to be in a lighter mood with the fair weather, though I have to say I did have an unfortunate run-in with a steely-eyed gentleman who thought I was encroaching on his morel territory at the Mo-Na Foods booth (some people take their mushrooms seriously, I guess).

Morels and chanterelles

I was happy to run into a few familiar faces, including BruleeBlog, who shared the same instincts to make a run to the Edgar Farms booth first. We both checked out a new vendor, called A Taste of Brazil, with curiosity. Just in time for the start of the World Cup, they offer several Brazilian sweets, and while I was busy taking a photo, BruleeBlog overheard the staff say they will be opening up a Brazilian restaurant located somewhere downtown in September.

A Taste of Brazil

I’m really looking forward to the next month – with all of the rain (and with luck, sunshine), new produce items should be showing up every week.

Beautiful onion bunches from Kuhlmann’s

 

Lovage (used mostly as an herb) from Sundog Organics

In addition to the asparagus, I also picked up some heirloom tomato plants for my Mum from Inspired Market Gardens (they carry over a dozen varieties!), duck eggs and mixed heritage greens from Greens, Eggs and Ham, rhubarb from Sundog Organics, and cookies from Confetti Sweets.

 Heirloom tomato plants from Inspired Market Gardens

Mixed heritage greens from Greens, Eggs and Ham

Next week, the second cultural festival of the season will take place, with Portuguese dances and other performances to look forward to. See you there!

City Market Report: Week 3

Boy, it was the weather miserable today. The rain was non-stop only until it became snow (that may have been a blessing in disguise, as the reservoirs of water that gathered in the tent crevices had me pegged today). I really hope next weekend brings sunshine – after the beautiful opening weekend I think we all deserve a day at the market without the need for gloves or a hat.

Empty street

As expected, the crowds seemed even thinner than last week, but it was good to see those who made it out regardless of the temperature. The vendors we talked to, always good humoured, stayed upbeat in spite of the cold. Patty Milligan of Lola Canola (in her first market day of the season!) said she was dressed in about eight layers. We picked up a jar of her summer honey that we’ll be using to make granola.

Patty Milligan, always smiling

Though the wet conditions this year have delayed the seeding plans for some farmers, visiting the market in the spring still means that patrons may happen upon a new seasonal produce item every week. Today, Riverbend Gardens had a different, spicier variety of radish, and Sundog Organics had lettuce and spinach available.

Radishes from Riverbend Gardens

Beautiful pea tendrils from Sundog Organics (I picked up a bunch, as well as some green onions)

These flowers looked so cheerful among all the grey

In addition to bell peppers from Doef’s, carrots from Kuhlmann’s, asparagus from Edgar Farms, sausages and ground pork from Irvings Farm Fresh, we also restocked our supply of GMO-free canola seed oil from Mighty Trio Organics. After buying my first bottle a few months ago from Planet Organic, I can’t imagine using anything other than their rich, amber-coloured oil for cooking.

Products from Mighty Trio Organics

I’m keeping my fingers crossed for warmer weather next week!

The Cooking Chronicles: It’s Asparagus Season!

I love reading the weekly updates from Edgar Farms, and in particular, seeing the first snapshots of the season capturing those darling, plucky stalks of asparagus bursting upwards from the soil. Sure, there are many ways to tell that spring is upon us, but I think it’s great that we are lucky enough to have a timely, seasonal vegetable that can act as our harbinger of spring.

Asparagus from Edgar Farms

At $6 a bunch, they’re not an inexpensive purchase at the City Market, but for the product’s freshness and ability to easily last a week in the fridge, they’re worth the cost.

Roasted Asparagus

What’s better than a side of simple, roasted asparagus? Tossed with some olive oil, salt and pepper, and placed in a 450 degree oven for 8 minutes or so, the crisp-tender stalks are bright and tasty.

Roasted asparagus

Asparagus Pesto

I’ve written in the past about my love of the versatile dip/spread as my office potluck staple dish – it allows me to escape the pre-lunch crush at the stove/microwave as my fellow colleagues rush to heat up their contribution. And, really, it’s allowed me to try out new recipes without having to commit to eating an entire sampling myself.

This time, an asparagus pesto recipe in the NYT caught my eye, and its radiant green hue seemed perfect for a spring potluck. I threw the blanched asparagus pieces with some of the cooking liquid, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil, parmesan, black pepper and a dash of lemon juice into the food processor and blended everything until the mixture was creamy.

The result was a smooth, hearty dip with a deep, earthy flavour, and one that I am happy to say solicited many requests for the recipe.

Asparagus pesto

It’s a versatile pesto, and one that I look forward to trying with pasta as well, as suggested in the recipe.

What’s your favourite way to enjoy asparagus?

The Cooking Chronicles: Mother’s Day Duck Confit

Between Media Camp and volunteering for Homeless Connect over Mother’s Day weekend, Mack and I didn’t have the time or energy to prepare a special meal for my Mum. So instead, we promised her supper the following Sunday – great timing not only because my parents were fresh from a short holiday to Vancouver, but also because it allowed us to finish up our ingredient shopping at the City Market.

Though I didn’t set out to cook a meal made up almost entirely of local ingredients, it ended up that way – being more conscious about where your food comes from tends to do that. On the menu: braised lentils with confit of duck (from Grainworks and Greens, Eggs and Ham); roasted root vegetables (from Kuhlmann’s, Sundog Organics, Greens, Eggs and Ham); and mixed heritage greens (from Greens, Eggs and Ham).

Knowing that the confit of duck would take the longest (the recipe indicated 45 minutes), we started with that. Of course, with Murphy’s Law, the entire dinner took about two hours to complete – I always seem to overestimate my adeptness in the kitchen.

The recipe is printed in The Food Lover’s Grail Guide to Alberta, by Mary Bailey & Judy Schultz, and is courtesy of Chef Kelly Strutt, who worked at the Deer Lodge at the time of the book’s printing. The instructions directed us to cover the duck legs with fresh thyme, rosemary and salt and refrigerate for 48 hours. To cook the duck legs, we rinsed off the salt and herbs, then simmered them in duck fat (also from Greens, Eggs and Ham) for thirty minutes. It was my first time cooking confit-style, and for whatever reason, I thought the fat would retain its solid consistency, but instead, it melted into a thin yellow oil.

In the meantime, we had prepped the carrots, parsnips and baby potatoes, tossed with some dried herbs, salt, pepper, honey and Mighty Trio Organics canola oil, and had put them into the oven. I also started on the braised red and green lentils, cooked with sautéed shallots and chicken stock.

To toss with the mixed heritage greens (our first bag of the year!), I whisked up my favourite vinaigrette – lemon juice, olive oil, grainy mustard (from The Bison in Banff), honey, salt and pepper.

The last task was the most difficult – to “flake” the duck meat from the bone. The recipe made it sound easier than it actually was – Mack and I fought tooth and nail to separate the meat from both skin and bone. I actually resorted to tearing with my fingers instead of using a knife and fork. In the end though, we were able to wrench a fair amount of meat from the pair of duck legs, and definitely enough to feed the six of us, with accompaniments.

Braised lentils and duck confit

I am happy to report that my mom enjoyed the meal. The duck meat was tender and flavourful, and though the lentils probably could have used another ten minutes on the stove, I didn’t mind that they still had a little bite to them.

Plated with roasted vegetables and mixed heritage greens

For dessert, we purchased the show stopping Duchess from the eponymous bakery. I’d been looking for an excuse to try it, and a meal for my Mum seemed like the perfect occasion.

The Duchess

Chiffon cake layered with pastry cream and raspberry, then topped with a dome of vanilla bean whipped cream and encased in a marzipan shell, it is no doubt a dessert made with skill and care. My favourite part was the light and airy chiffon and the delicate raspberry filling.

Inside the Duchess

Family and good food – what more could you ask for?

City Centre Market Report: Week 2

What a difference one week can make at the City Centre Market – thirty degrees and several thousand people, to be exact.

Market Day

Three degrees, spitting rain and the first long weekend of spring meant many less patrons than last week’s blockbuster opening day with an estimated attendance of 20, 000.

No crowds this week

Today was probably a more typical shopping day for us – by the time we made it to the market by foot, it was already near noon. Because of the smaller crowds and the exceptional weather earlier in the week though, the selection of fresh produce was still pretty good when we arrived.

Radishes at Riverbend Gardens

Spinach at Green Valley Farms

Rhubarb at Sundog Organics (they also had pea shoots!)

On Wednesday, Edgar Farms sent out an e-mail saying that they would have a healthy quantity of asparagus available, as they were harvesting the crops every day. They weren’t kidding.

Crates of asparagus!

There was no need to fight over the stalks this week. Besides not having to wait in line, I think Edgar Farms had enough to last until 3pm – not always possible with Edmonton’s voracious appetite for spring vegetables.

Buying asparagus

In addition to asparagus, I also picked up some tomatoes and bell peppers from Doef’s Greenhouses, onions from Green Valley Farms, quick-cook barley and mushrooms from Mo-Na Foods and eggs from Sunshine Organic.

I’m really looking forward to getting back into the routine of weekly visits to the market. See you there next week!

City Market Opening Day 2010

I’ve been waiting for this day since the City Market wrapped up for the season last Thanksgiving. Though we did make more of an effort this year to visit the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market on a regular basis in the winter months, there really is nothing like this open air market in Edmonton’s warehouse district. The fact that we can walk to the City Market doesn’t hurt either.

Market Day!

We arrived just before nine, to cool air and still-quiet streets. We never typically arrive at the market this early, but since we missed the opening ceremonies last year, we thought it better to be early than late.

The calm before the storm

We started our day off with a quick stroll around the grounds, then headed off to Blue Plate Diner for some much-needed coffee and breakfast. We decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather (and opportunity to people watch) by sitting out on the patio – it was one of the best choices we made all day.

Mack twitters on the patio

Pancake breakfast

Mack’s breakfast special – an Italian scramble

We eventually left our comfortable spot and joined the crowds for the opening ceremony. Mayor Mandel, alongside Councillors Ben Henderson, Jane Batty, MLA Laurie Blakeman, MP Laurie Hawn, and oddly, Bob Black of the Katz Group, rang the opening bells (apparently, Black was there to explore the possibility of the EAD housing the market in the winter months…but I’m not convinced). Jon Hall, who is on the City Market Board of Directors, touchingly donated his mother’s antique brass bell to the market, which will now serve as the “official” bell.

Ring, ring!

It was great to see so many people out – an estimated 13,000 by 12:30pm. With the addition of the Southgate and Century Park stations, I am hoping that the foot traffic will grow considerably this year. In terms of the market itself, they have had a 30% increase in vendors in 2010, with over 145 vendors expected in 2010. Although Sparrow’s Nest will not have a booth this year, most vendors from last year are returning, and span the gauntlet of goods from produce, prepared goods, and crafts. Undoubtedly, fresh vegetables are a big draw, and we had to laugh at the twenty-deep line in front of the Edgar Farms booth – early bird patrons were absolutely chomping at the bit for the few bunches of asparagus available this week.

In the storm

In addition to my old favourites (Greens, Eggs and Ham, Irvings Farm Fresh, Doef’s Greenhouses, Kuhlmann’s, Sundog Organics among them), it was great to see already-established businesses utilizing the market as a means of heightening exposure to their products, such as d’Lish and Sweet Lollapalooza.

Though it’s not an exhaustive feature of all products available at the market, these photos highlight just some of the fresh, tasty and creative things to be found at the City Market.

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The Market is also hoping to draw crowds to the streets with monthly cultural festivals, particularly fun for families. A Chinese celebration kicked off this feature, with lion and dragon dances bringing appropriate energy to an exciting morning. You can see the schedule of upcoming festivals dates here, with the next one being a Portuguese Festival on June 12.

Lion dance

Great crowd on hand for the festivities

We ended our market trip with a brief visit to deVine’s. In honour of the Chinese Festival, they were sampling wines and beers from China. Though I’ve heard some negative things about Chinese wines in particular (especially because it is such a new industry in that country), I was pleasantly surprised with the Noble Dragon wine. And priced at just $13.95, we had to pick up a bottle to share with my parents.

Chinese beer and wine

It really was a great morning – I hope to do it all again next weekend!

Check out Mack’s Flickr set here, a post from Chris at Eating is the Hard Part here, a post and video clip of the market from Raffaella here, and Valerie (A Canadian Foodie)’s post here.

Local Gift Basket of Possibilities

Mack and I made it to Yellowknife, despite arriving to the gate ten minutes after our scheduled flight time – the line-up to get through security was madness! It’s colder here than in Edmonton, but there is more daylight than I expected (around 5 hours). No photos to share yet, as we had a pretty low-key day relaxing at Mack’s parents’ house. It’s not a bad way to start a vacation though!

We exchanged presents this afternoon with Mack’s family – thanks again Kim, Shane, Thom, Martin and Patti for the gifts! I originally didn’t know what to buy Mack’s parents, but I remembered Jennifer Crosby’s idea of putting together a basket of locally-accrued food items. It seemed like a good way to share some uniquely Edmonton products, so a few weeks back, we started to assemble it. We ended up with this:

Basket of locally-purveyed goods

It contains:

Martin and Patti appreciated the gift, but I have to say, I really enjoyed looking for things that I thought they might enjoy. And though we restricted ourselves to items purchased at local businesses, it was fairly easy to find the variety that we did.

Hope everyone had a good Christmas!