New West Winter Farmers Market (Holy Trinity Cathedral, New Westminster, BC)

Did a workout this morning, then went out to the final Royal City Winter Farmers Market held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral Hall in New Westminster. At only fifteen minutes after opening the vendors (one which had barely set up!) were already busy helping customers, answering questions, and selling their goods.

Here's what I picked up:


I always circle the farmers market once, just to get a scope of what everyone is offering, then I make a second round to purchase things. Since I had gone for a workout in the morning, I hadn't had breakfast, so when Maluma Bison offered me a sampling of their bison salami and their bison bbq sausage, I made note to remember to buy a pair of sausage. He also offered a cranberry sausage and what appeared to be a pepperoni. What is special about his product? He uses a seed meal (sunflower, pumpkin seed) as well as a blend of essential oils instead of animal fat in his recipe. This results in a product that is lower in saturated fat, cholesterol, and free of fillers.

Since spring is here, I also picked up some asparagus for a pizza that I hope to post about later today. :) The vendor (can't remember which farm!) also offered kambucha and spaghetti squashes, a variety of garlic, nettle greens, and a spring mix.

What started the "shopping spree" was actually the offering of a sharp aged cheddar from one of the vendors. To say it was "good" would be an understatement. But you have to understand that in my self-imposed (on again, off again) meat ban, the one thing that I really missed was cheese. Top that off with no breakfast this morning, and I caved. The cheese is mine! :)

I also bought some peppers from the "pepper barn" / "pepper boys" outside. I've bought from them before - you grab a bag, fill it up, and enjoy snacking on baby bell peppers for the entire week. I <3 bell peppers, so I stocked up. Plus, some will go on the pizza today...

What really brought me to the Royal City Winter Farmers Market? The promise of gardening goods. I procrastinated (what else is new) on the gardening this year and didn't start anything from seed. Although the chives, lemon balm, and (surprise!) broccoli came back this year, the oregano, parsley, and thyme died off. So I purchased two small containers of mizuna, and one of cilantro. We use cilantro a lot. But even though we do, it never lasts for us - we'll buy a bunch and get about 75% of the way through it before we have to toss it. Hopefully the cilantro stays healthy so we can enjoy it in everything!

Have a great weekend folks! It is rainy, cold and wet out there but the weekend holds much promise! :)

Glance: Main Street Station Farmers Markets (Vancouver, BC)

The Main Street Farmers Market rang in the 2009 season yesterday with a bang! Many vendors and patrons alike were in attendance, and they also had a raffle for market money, which can be purchased at all EatLocal farmers markets and redeemed at any vendor.

What is good about the newly-relocated Main Street Farmers Market is that it is literally steps away from skytrain as well as bus routes. In addition, there are plenty of places to lock up your bike, and free or metered parking should you choose to drive to the market.



Things that caught my eye? Maples Sugar Shack (from Whistler) that sells maple butter, syrups, maple taffy, and an assortment of other maple products. My Urban Farm, who was selling sunflower sprouts - it wasn't the product that caught my eye, but their quest to change the world, one edible garden / lawn at a time. Go visit their website for more details.

Bad Girl Chocolates made me wish that I'd brought more money - they had truffles and flavoured chocolates for sale.

I wound up walking away with garlic scapes and fresh strawberries. I believe the garlic scapes were from Klippers Organic Farms? ...The strawberries were definitely from Sandhu Farms. Pretty to look and slightly tart, but still so yummy...



What are garlic scapes, you ask? They are the sprouts that come from the head of the garlic heads. Although to be called scapes they need to have the distinctive "coil". They should be harvested while they are still green and coiled, before they have straightened out as the scapes are still tender at this point and haven`t developed any bitterness. ...It was my first time purchasing garlic scapes, so I quizzed the vendor on how to prepare them. She suggested salads, or blanching. However, when I returned home last night, M had barbequed up some steak for steak sandwiches! I promptly sauteed the scapes in some butter - the result was a product that had the flavour of garlic, and the texture of green beans. I`m looking forward to other recipes with garlic scapes!



The Main Street Farmers Market also had a stand about the 100 mile diet. I thought this was a nice coincedence, as I`d blogged about it briefly yesterday before I went out. Seeing so many people interested in sustainable farming and eating is a plus. :) Yay Vancouver!

Glance: Coquitlam Farmers Market (624 Poirier, Coquitlam, BC)

We also visited the Coquitlam Farmers Market this weekend. Tis the season to be out in the sun!

I love that BC is the "birthplace" of the 100 mile diet. I love more that the local food movement has made for some imaginative ideas and products. As I've said before, I'm going to try and explore more of the farmers markets and their offerings. If you're interested in farmers markets / pocket markets in your area, please sign up for a weekly newsletter from My Market News (tell them Yum-O-Rama sent you!) or visit the Eat Local website for more information.

BTW, June is "Bike to Market" month - bring your bike down for special offers like a free tutorial on bike maintenance, free bike valet, coupons, and more! (Not all services available at all farmers markets)



The Coquitlam Farmers Market offered less claustrophobia than the Trout Lake one. I did go earlier, so perhaps I missed the peak "rush hour" for the market. In any case, you had more time to chat,with the vendors, take a couple photos, and ask any questions you might have had.

That being said, I only took a handful of photos as I felt a little naked without human shields from my camera!



I wound up buying a bunch of long beautiful green onions and some radishes. They were the first stall I stopped at, but I bought the items after I'd had a gander through everything else. (I'm seeing scallion pancakes and Vietnamese salad rolls in my future...) She also had some corn plants on sale; if only I had a back yard! Both times while I was at her stall, other patrons stopped and asked when she'd be getting her garlic scapes. I guess I'll have to return for those!

Langley Organic Growers / Langley Co-op also had a stall at this location, and had the most beautiful salad greens ever. However, we weren't having dinner at home that night, so we didn't pick any up. Next time...Dr. Gadget...next time. ;)

We also happened upon the "Mushroom Man" at the edge of the parking lot. He had a massive clump of oyster mushrooms sprouting out of the side of a growing vessel he had, as well as a selection of gorgeous mushrooms on sale. Again, we weren't having dinner at home that night, so it was a little bit of a bummer.

What else was there...we picked up a 8" California Lilac / ceanothus victoria from S&S Nursery for a bargain! He also had a banana tree and a weeping birch (and many, many others) were interested in. I hope he still has some if we go back later this season!

There were other beautiful things - a variety of honey and honey products from Vlad's Apiary, Unwind Yarns who dyes and spins her own yarn (on Ravelry as khetala), and Gesundheit Bakery which had yummy looking cherry strudel, cinnamon twists, and cheese bread.

It was a good experience. Looking forward to visiting either the Main Street Station Farmers market today, or the SFU Pocket Market - I suppose that weekday farmers market are more down to business and offer more produce? Looking forward to it, in any case!

Coquitlam Farmers Market @ Dogwood Pavilion Parking Lot (Sundays from 9am to 1pm, seasonally)

624 Poirier Street, at Winslow Ave [map]

Coquitlam BC

Recipe: Simple Mushroom Tart!

If you remember, I bought some mushrooms at the Richmond Specialty Mushroom Farms stall at the Trout Lake Farmers Market one weekend.



I bought a combination of crimini and portobellos, and rounded out the mix with some dried lobster mushrooms that I'd bought the same afternoon at Whole Foods.



I have to admit, as I was strolling about the farmers market that day, this recipe materialized in my head. An assortment of mushrooms sauteed with shallots in a light wine & cream base, and baked atop puff pastry. A variation on this would be a cream of mushroom soup with the puff pastry tops baked on to individual ramekins - yum!



...forgot to mention that I bought a pair of gigantuan shallots at the Langley Farmers Co-Op stall at Trout Lake as well: check them out! they were about three inches in diameter!

Ingredients
About 8 to 10 large mushrooms - I used crimini and portobello, sliced
1/3 cup dried lobster mushrooms
1 huge shallot, or 2-3 smaller ones, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 t thyme
Salt & Pepper to taste
1/4 c Dry white wine
1/4 c cream
1 recipe rough puff pastry, chilled, or thawed overnight in refrigerator if previously frozen
2 T chopped parsley, divided

Method
Soak the lobster mushrooms in about 1 cup of cool water for at least 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 425ºF.

Meanwhile, prepare the fresh mushrooms by heating a couple tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Saute the shallots, stirring to coat with oil. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds, stirring. Add sliced fresh mushrooms and stir to coat with oil. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme, and cook 2-4 minutes, stirring. Add drained lobster mushrooms.

Deglaise the pan with white wine; allow to cook off and add cream. Cook until mixture has thickened slightly. Taste and reseason if necessary. Stir in 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley.

Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.

Roll out puff pastry on a floured surface to a rectangle approximately 14" x 12". Using a long, sharp knife, trim the dough. Cut approximately 1/2 off each side of the rectangle for the border. Press these strips onto the rectangular base. Chill dough at this point if necessary.

Transfer crust onto parchment-lined baking sheet.

Spoon mushroom mixture onto puff pastry dough. Arrange any mushroom tops attractively on top. Sprinkle with remaining chopped parsley. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until pastry is crisp through. Enjoy warm.



I do have to say that this is very classically French. I don't know what drew me to make something like this - I guess clean, rich food and flavours?

Looking forward to cooking with more Farmers Markets finds this year!

Farmers Markets In the Lower Mainland

Forgot to blog about Farmers Markets in the Lower Mainland - the farmers' market season has begun in Vancouver and the lower mainland!

For more news and information about Farmers Markets around your area, be sure to visit EatLocal for ones in Vancouver, or to sign up for an email reminder service at MyMarketsNews.

Ivan at Kalley Kandy let me know of the latter - My Market News will actually send you an email each week (depending on which reminders you sign up for) with a list of vendors and/or the products that will be available at your preferred venue. When you sign up, be sure to let them know that Yum-O-Rama sent you!

In particular, the folks in Port Moody seem to have it good; they have pocket markets with loads of fresh fruits and vegetables, and natural prepared foods available. Yum!

Event: Trout Lake Farmers Market! (Trout Lake, Vancouver, BC)

This weekend marked the start of the Trout Lake Farmers Market season. Hosting a number of BC-based businesses and a lot of inspiration, artistic prowess, and entrepreneurship; it made me love BC a whole lot more.



I was expecting to see more fresh produce, but I must have gotten there a bit late (11am?). A lot of the produce stalls were nearly empty when I got there!

It was pretty packed and I had to circle around a couple times to find a good spot. Next time (when I am not so pressed for time!) I'll make an effort to walk or skytrain down.

Blue Comet stocked some smoked salmon products, while Geldermanfarms offered farm-fresh pork and pork products.

To round out the meat spectrum, Jay Springs Lamb had different cuts of lamb available for purchase, as well as something extra - yarn! There were lots and *lots* of beautiful shades of yarn at their stall, I only wished that I had brought more money so that I could stock up on some hand-dyed yarn! What was also nice was that it was quite reasonably priced - hand-dyed, variety of weights, variety of colours. I love it!



In the middle of the aisle a band was playing. I guess there were of the funky folk genre? They called themselves Blackberry Wood. I *love* that they had a trumpet player (who also was the lead singer) as well as an accordian player. :)



I wound up buying a whole bag of mushrooms from the Richmond Specialty Mushroom Farms stall and was quite enamoured with the bright beautiful packaging at Kalley Kandy. They sell one product - fresh nougat that is made in Vancouver and let me tell you, they are quite delicious! I shared some with my mother, hairdresser, and hairdressers' assistant, and they all asked me where I got them. It goes to show that fresh is better. :)




There were six pieces in a bag and each bag was $5 for one, or $9 for two. Kalley took the care to toast the almonds, so they were a nice crunchy contrast to the soft and tender nougat.



As I wasn't going home after the farmers market, I didn't pick up any leafy vegetables (as they'd probably wilt away to nothing by the end of the day). I'll have to make an effort to get to the Celyddon stall next time as the line up was enormous - I think it stretched to four stalls long at one point!



The most unique stalls went to Don Aspirin, for his beautiful presentation, cutting, and cheese boards, and the lady at the south end of the market with her antique, one-of-a-kind repurposed windchimes. The only problem if I ever bought one of the cutting boards would be that I wouldn't have the heart to really use them - they are that beautiful!

Afterwards I wound up at Whole Foods on Cambie. They had a vendors market, featuring some local entrepreneurs and their products. What impressed me though, was that Whole Foods had engineered some "green" aspects to their building design. The outside of the building had plants "tiled" along the exterior. Love it.



Here's to a local, green, long weekend. Have a good one!

The Trout Lake Farmers Market runs on Saturdays from 10am - 2pm at the Trout Lake parking lot at Victoria Drive & 15 Avenue. Every Saturday until October 10th!

More photos at my flickr photoset.