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Weekly Market Notes Library

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Weekly Market Notes for December 10, 2009

Hello Market Friends:

Believe it or not, our market year is almost over. Because Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve fall on Thursdays, our last 2009 market will be next week (the 17th), with a return to action on January 7th, 2010. Time to load in some extra provisions from the strong selection we'll have this week and next.

Remember, our $2 market bags are buy one get one free all month long. We count on your help to spread the word about the good food our producers bring to Dufferin, as a busy market is essential for them, so please think about giving a market bag to a friend who hasn't tried shopping at the market before. (It is very handy to have several on hand, for yourself, too.)

When I witnessed sighs of pleasure at the arrival of brussels sprouts last week, I knew I had something to learn. I love the way they grow, but thought the point of brussels sprouts recipes was to find ways to load on cream, chestnuts, cheese--aka disguises. Well cream and chestnut recipes are great, but I followed the instructions of Dufferin regulars Laura, Michael, Ellen and Ken this time:

• Break them off the stem, split large ones in half, and quickly sauté them in olive oil, with garlic if desired.
  

That's it. They come out bright green, mild and DELICIOUS! One of the secrets is to use them promptly for best flavour. Don't just take my word for it, try them without delay, as their season is very short.

Ted Thorpe will be one of the farmers bringing them, along with some other hardy crops he was out harvesting from under row covers in the snow, and lots of storage vegetables.

Sosnickis' news: "We've got a huge fresh batch of Perogies this week, both kinds, and Heirloom Tomatoes, both ripe and green! We went through the entire greenhouse last week and picked all the tomatoes off the vine and are storing them in hampers in a warmer part of the barn. Slowly ripening! Today while it acts more like winter outside Ben, his mom and I will being the barn grading and washing our potatoes, carrots, beets, celeriac, sorting onions & still our own celery, too. Can't forget cabbage! Bins of that stuff again this year! (Cabbage Rolls shortly, Sauerkraut will be made in the new year). The onions took a beating during this cold wet summer and we have thrown away over half our crop. We carefully sort them before they arrive at Dufferin, but please just cut out small bad spots or soft centers; that's just the way it is this year. See all there!" Jessie.

"The snow is flying at Greenfields but that doesn't stop us from a harvest of fresh cut Green/Purple Kale and selected Brussel Sprouts. Lots of great Greenfields grown veggies to keep you warm in the cold tundra of Toronto. Awesome tasting Purple & Orange Carrots, red Lutz & Chiogga Beets, Celeriac, Sunchokes, Watermelon Radish and our last Daikon Radish of the year. Ontario Garlic, Parsnips,Yam and a nice selection of fruit will be waiting just for you." Mark

From Heidrun at the park: This season's Winter Craft Fair at Dufferin Grove Park will be set up outside the rink building Sunday December 13th from 11 - 4. There will be wonderful hand-made goods this year including woodworks, knitwear, glass designs, print work, jewellery, T-shirts, book covers, scarves, skate covers, cosmetic products, cookies, teas and much more. Local, non-professional crafters bringing great deals to you for the holiday season! There will be hot drinks and food available from the Zamboni Cafe, as well as Yasi's Place, and Tim's crepes.

And if you're looking for an evening out after the market:
Terra Madre Day, Celebrating Local Food!
Slow Food Toronto invites you to enjoy the delicious offerings of Ontario's Farms, Hosted By FoodShare, 90 Croatia Street, Toronto
Thursday December 10th, 6-9pm, Tickets: $10 at the door
Travel through the various stations, sampling delicious local product and have an opportunity to connect with the people who produce, raise, grow and cook it all.
The very first worldwide Terra Madre Day is being held on December 10, 2009 to celebrate Slow Food International’s twentieth anniversary, in recognition of the importance of supporting local food networks. Terra Madre Day will be celebrated in endless ways by the Slow Food network all around the world. Celebrations will take place on farms and in homes, in schools and communities, in cities and rural areas: from New York to New Delhi, Turkey to Tanzania, Austria to Argentina.

Several of our Dufferin producers will be in attendance, and of course you can do some celebrating with your Local Food Network friends from 3 to 7, too.

See you at the market!

Anne Freeman

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