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Weekly Market Notes Library

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Weekly Market Notes for September 09, 2010

Hello Market Friends:

It is wonderful how much good food from close to home we have right now, the result of a beautiful growing season. To enjoy some of the many vegetables, I made this ratatouille recipe, and it was so delicious I want to include it for you to try. It's different from the 'stove-top' version, with more distinct flavours and textures, quick to prepare and fine both hot and cold. You can shop for everything required at the market; don't forget some bread to catch every drop of the juices. With thanks to Pete Luckett, author of "The Greengrocer's Kitchen" (highly recommended, hope it's still in print!).

Oven-Roasted Ratatouille (6-8 servings)
2 lb cherry tomatoes (or quartered romas)
1 large red onion, thickly sliced
2 zucchini or pattypan squash, in 1" cubes
1 large eggplant, cubed
3 sweet peppers (red, yellow or green), seeds removed, in 1" pieces
4-6 garlic cloves, peeled, whole
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
3 sprigs fresh thyme, cut in half
2 Tbsp fresh oregano, chopped
6 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 475 F, with the rack high. Arrange vegetables in a large, shallow pan, tucking in garlic and herbs. Combine oil and vinegar, drizzle over all. Season generously with salt and pepper. Bake for 30-40 minutes, turning vegetables occasionally, until they are slightly browned and very soft. Allow to cool slightly before serving. Excellent for lunch the next day, too.

Here's the news:

From the Sosnickis: "Cooler weather is nice to harvest in! I love the air this time of year! We'll have a fresh patch of Sweet Corn this week; more Romas - the flavour perfect for sauces, roasting or fresh eating; Heirloom Tomatoes & Basil; huge heads of Winter Cabbage both Green & Red- perfect for the years first cabbage rolls, and a quick fall slaw; crisp sweet Orange & Purple Carrots; beautiful huge Leeks; PEPPERS!! as many sweet REDS as we can find along with sweet yellows & greens & Jalapenos and Hot Banana too! Cooking Onions a plenty, fresh dug Potatoes; WATERMELONS, Eggplant & Zucchini too!" Jessie and Ben

Unfortunately, high winds this week have prevented the Akiwenzies from fishing, so they won't be down.

Happily, though, there will be blackberries from Debbie Wiecha (Niagara Lavender Farms), and great greens, including tatsoi and callaloo from Ted Thorpe.

Laura Sabourin of Feast of Fields will have the last 2 boxes of peaches, plums, apples, pears, 3 kinds of grapes, figs and maybe a few raspberries and blackberries.

From Sandy: "Exciting news from Beretta Farms: This week's market introduces our new product line for kids & a creative contest for all those budding artists out there!!
The 'LITTLE BERETTA BELLIES' MENU (Nitrite Free!): Beef Little Runts (mini hotdogs), Chicken Little Runts (mini chicken dogs), Beef Mini Burgers, Chicken Mini Burgers
The "BIG LABELS for LITTLE BELLIES CONTEST" (a drawing contest for kids): to enter, check out the link on our website: www.berettaorganics.com
Some of our specials were such a hit last week that we're offering them to you again this week! Smoked Jalapeno Sausages, New York Striploin & Rib Eye Steaks, Whole Chickens Visit me at the market and check it all out!"

We will have two very special events at the market this time:

First of all, a visit from one of our founding farmers, Ute Zell, who keeps alpacas now. Ute will bring along a friend and give us a demonstration of spinning and weaving. We might be able to persuade her to teach a class at a later date if there are people interested.

Second, Oksana Hawrylak and friends are presenting The Organic Streetscape Projekt at the park, based on a collaboration between Ukrainian and Canadian musicians and artists on the topic of Ukrainian identity and the intersection of folk tradition and contemporary urban culture. As well as art (displayed on the basketball court fence), there will be music:
"LUDY DOBRI is a Lviv-based nu-folk band that collects and interprets traditional music from across Ukraine according to their eclectic tastes. Since the band came together 5 years ago, it has seen over 20 musicians from diverse musical and geographical backgrounds, but the aim has remained the same: to reinvigorate folk culture at home and abroad by breaking the formal boundaries that subdue it." For more information: www.organicstreetscapeprojekt.blogspot.com

After all, culture and agriculture belong together.

See you at the market!

Anne Freeman

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