News

Great Green Deals

Posted on by Anne Freeman
Great Green Deals
18
Jul

Hello Market Friends:
Kevin Hamilton of Shared Harvest has a problem. The vegetables he brings to market are too darn big. He can’t sell you a head of lettuce that weighs about as much as your leg for a price that accurately reflects how large it is, so there are giant bargains on his tables. Compare the price, size and quality of celery you get in a supermarket these days to the great value you can get at the market, and make a deal to share the bounty with a strong-armed pal who will help you carry it home.

great green deals
Shared Harvest’s Savoy Cabbage

Last week some customers were wondering what they could do with Kevin’s spectacular Savoy cabbages. I looked to Pete Luckett’s The Greengrocer’s Kitchen (an old favourite), and found this helpful note and recipe:

“In my book, Savoy is the king of cabbages, and the ones grown in Canada are fit for royalty. Their crinkly leaves peel away to reveal tender, pale green hearts, and whether steamed or sautéed, this cabbage needs nothing more nothing more than a drizzle of butter and a generous sprinkling of black pepper to bring out its sweet, distinctive flavour. The leaves are very easy to manipulate, making them a good choice for use in cabbage rolls. I also like to stuff raw leaves into sandwiches, and of course, Savoy makes a superb coleslaw.”
Simple and Superb Summer Slaw
Shred a head of Savoy cabbage (or about a quarter of one from Shared Harvest) and add 1 tart apple and one red onion, both thinly sliced.
Coleslaw Dressing
zest and juice of one lime
1/2 T white vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1-2 hot peppers, seeded and chopped very thinly
2 T chopped fresh cilantro
1 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
freshly ground black pepper
Shake all ingredients together, dress the salad and toss. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Serve at room temperature.
Another amazing deal: Aldergrove Organic Farm is celebrating Canadian Flowers Week by spreading some joy! Everyone who spends over $15 at their stand will receive a free mini-bouquet while quantities last. “Make locally grown field cut flowers a part of your life. Your mood will thank you for it.”
Strawberry season has ended at Sosnicki Organic Produce, but they’ll be bringing in more of their beautiful tomatoes, and freshly dug garlic, too.
Meanwhile, over in Niagara, it’s prime time for red and black raspberries and cherries, and we should have lots!

For our Special Event of the week, we have a visit from Alan Majer of Autonomous Objects, to tell us about this online object-sharing community. Take a look at their map to give you a taste of what is available to use, steward and share.
See you at the market!
Anne Freeman

Look Who’s Coming:

Aldergrove Organic Farm (veggies and flowers)
Ali Harris (rotis, fish sandwiches, fritters, drinks, pesto)
Bees Universe (honey, bee products, eggs)
ChocoSol (chocolate and coffee)
Country Meadows (olives, oil, cheeses, herbs)
DeFloured (sweet and savoury gluten-free baking)
Dufferin Park Bakers (wood-fired oven breads, soups & snacks)
Dvourr (waffles with pork, chicken or mushroom toppings)
Earth & City (snacks, spreads and beverages)
First Fish (wild-caught Arctic fillets and hot or cold smoked fish)
Forbes Wild Foods (fresh and dried mushrooms, syrup, nuts and other wild foods)
Fressy Bessie (organic ice pops)
Frogpond Farm (organic VQA wines)
Green Florin (nuts, oils and dried fruits) & Pine River Organic Farm (veggies)
Kind Organics (sprouts and salad mixes)
Knuckle Down Farm (veggies)
Marvellous Edibles (organic chicken, produce, preserves)
Mismak Zena (Ethiopian Cuisine)
Monforte Dairy (local cheeses from a variety of milks, tamales)
Niagara Lavender (lavender, berries, cherries)
Plan B (local and imported organic produce, ferments)
Reye’s Farms: tender fruit, Prairie Boy fruit pies (not organic)
Robinson Bread (sourdough baking from freshly milled grains)
Shared Harvest (organic veggies and herbs)
Sosnicki Organic Produce (organic vegetables)
Tapioca Toronto (Brazilian-style gluten-free crepes with market fillings)
Thorpe’s Organic Produce (strawberries and greens)
Urban Harvest (seeds, soil amendments, body care)