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Weekly Market Notes Library

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Weekly Market Notes for January 21, 2010

Hello Market Friends:

'Lucky Thursdays' this month! Farmers' markets, like farming, rely a great deal on the weather, so we're awfully glad when we get a day that makes everyone feel like heading to the park. We also love it when you keep up our reputation for hardy customer loyalty at Dufferin if the day is not so fine!

The mood on the farms is good:

Linda Kapelaris at Country Meadows writes: "This little bit of mild weather has given the farm creatures a touch of spring fever. The chickens, turkeys and goats are out really enjoying the winter break. This mild weather has also made me think of spring so I seeded down one of the greenhouses on the weekend, tomatoes, herbs, salad greens, etc., just can't wait to get gardening again. Now all we need is a bit of sun."

Sosnickis' news: "We've made our sauerkraut, so after it ferments (about two weeks), we'll have it available at Dufferin! I took great video and pics of all the ladies and Ben working away shredding the cabbage that I hope to put on our blog in the next couple weeks. We're hard at it grading potatoes, cabbage, carrots, onions, beets & celeriac in the shop now heated by a woodstove. We'll bring lots of sauerkraut perogies, but are running short on potato/cheddar. (We are making another huge batch next Monday and Tuesday.) Other exciting news is that I have a nice variety of certified organic heirloom tomato seeds hitting soil soon, so we'll have nice, big early plants to be transplanted in our 'covered field'! Some more new varieties this year I am very excited about!!" Jessie & Ben

"Sun is shining at the Red Barn market, Wednesdays 2.30-7pm at Greenfields Farm (a quick plug never hurt ). The tables will be bursting at Dufferin with a great assortment of fruits and veggies this week. Greenfields grown Purple/Orange Carrots, Red 'Lutz' Beets, Chiogga Beets, Celeriac, Rutabaga and Sunchokes. Lots of fresh and healthy Greens (Chards, Kales, Collards, Spinach, Cilantro and more). A good selection of fruit (super tasty Ambrosia Apples) and lots more. See you there. Mark

P.S. Don't forget to show your support for our friend Michael Schmidt." [whose Newmarket court date is this Thursday at 9am]

To make good use of some of our farmers' winter vegetables, here's an easy recipe from a cookbook I like, "The Greengrocer's Kitchen", by Pete Luckett. He says: "If you're lucky enough to have leftovers, fry them up the next morning with a couple of sausages. Delicious!"

Garlic Mashed Celeriac and Potatoes
2 pounds celeriac, trimmed, peeled and chopped coarsely
1 pound potatoes, peeled and chopped coarsely
3 large garlic cloves, peeled
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup cream or milk
salt and freshly ground pepper

Combine the celeriac, potatoes and garlic in a saucepan. Add enough water to cover, season with salt, and bring to a boil. Cook 20-25 minutes, uncovered, until tender. Drain, reserving a little of the cooking water. Mash as smooth as you desire, adding butter, cream and a little of the cooking water. Season to taste and serve at once.

Mathieu from Chocosol writes: "This week be sure to check out our local lavender Truffle pops! These super dark soft truffles are served on a mint stem and coated with roasted cacao nibs. Amazing! Also, we've been busy making drinking chocolate. We have a few fresh chocolates right outta the mold. Our Cinnamon Allspice and Aztec Blood (5 chili chocolate) are fresh this week! Fresh drinking chocolate has a bit of a different texture and can be enjoyed as an eating chocolate as well. Drinking pucks are 1 for $5, 3 for $10 and 7 for $20 every week. Each puck will make a liter of Mexican drinking chocolate in your blender (add 800ml of boiled water from the kettle and blend thoroughly)."

Lots more good things coming, including Tonyand Irene's venison, Blythe's preserves, Best Baa yogurt and cheeses, Alli Harris's pesto, and the list goes on....

See you at the market!

Anne Freeman

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