Can You Believe it?

December already. Does anyone else feel a few steps behind the calendar? Misty days, mild nights, and piles of greens still coming in from the fields add to the confusion, but it’s wonderful to have so much freshly harvested food at the market.

Here’s this week’s list from Everdale: “We’ve got red radish, green onion, regular and spicy salad mix, arugula and cilantro all coming out of our tunnels. Our spinach coming out of the fields is super sweet right now so get it before it’s buried in snow! Lots of roots, onions, leeks, kale, chard, parsley and squash available too.”

All the growers have abundant vegetables for us. Fortunately the temperatures make it possible to spill outdoors so they can bring a big selection. We’re adding more lights, both practical and sparkly ones, to make the evening portion of the market lovely.

When market friend Deirdre Newman (a truly wonderful cook and baker) is at home, she makes all the bread she needs, and it is delicious. Her home is far away now, but for the last few weeks she has been visiting Toronto and coming to market.  Hearing her describe Heidrun’s Cranberry Walnut Bread as some of the very best bread she’s ever had makes me want to call Heidrun and tell her she’s won the equivalent of an Oscar. It also makes me hungry!

We expect to see Angelos back at the market next week. Not a moment too soon, as some of his regular customers look like lost souls! If you’re looking for eggs, Bees Universe and Marvellous Edibles will have nice fresh ones, and if it’s yogurt you’re after, visit Monforte Dairy’s table for great options. As for olives and oil, hang in there!

Last week I told you about All Sorts Acres’ move. Jennifer was really hoping to be at the market this week, but she wrote to say that she is surrounded by boxes and feeling overwhelmed. If you are thinking ahead to the holidays, she will have a great selection of lamb coming soon.

As well as beef, pork and chicken, goose and duck are available from Marvellous Edibles. If cooking a goose sounds daunting, just ask Jens. They’re not as big as you might expect (6 to 7 pounds is common) and he’s got easy instructions for roasting.

Lovell Springs Trout will be back in two weeks.

Urban Harvest has a delightful assortment of soaps with gentle, natural fragrances including cinnamon, lavender, grapefruit, and mint, and healing salves, too.

Be sure to tuck your Loyal Eaters Card into your wallet before you head over.

See you at the market!
Anne Freeman

This Week’s Vendors:

Ali Harris
Bees Universe
ChocoSol
Culture City
DeFloured
Dufferin Park Bakers
Everdale
Forbes Wild Foods
Kind Organics
Marvellous Edibles
Monforte Dairy
Pine River Organic Farm
Plan B
Shared Harvest Community Farm
Spade & Spoon
Ted Thorpe
Urban Harvest
VQA Wines: Reimer Vineyards