Weekly Newsletter: Issue 11

2007: ISSUE 11

Greetings Covent Garden Outdoor Farmers’ Market Customers!

The weather forecast is calling for sun and there is no better place to start off your Saturday than here at the Farmers’ Market! You will want to get here early because (after much anticipation) Irene Puddester will join us with her renowned organic blueberries. The blueberry season is a relatively short one so you will want to stock up (blueberries freeze very well) while you have the chance.

Mark Wales has confirmed he will be here tomorrow with loads of great, fresh produce. Mill Stream Farm will be on the Square with plenty of good, ol’ organic food including squash, onions, garlic, beans, and French Fingerlings. Dolway Organic Garden will bring in zucchini, potatoes, beans, garlic, green onions, globe onions, herbs, rhubarb, raspberries, beans and more! En Fleur Lavender has been a wonderful addition to the Farmers’ Market. Janine from En Fleur will have an abundance of her fresh lavender along with lots of ideas regarding how to best make use of it.

Blanbrook Bison Farm has a wide selection of tasty bison cuts. Tenderloin, rib eye, New York and sirloin steaks are all perfect for the barbecue season. Dee at Made From Scratch will bake up large pies if you pre-order. She will bring delicious molasses spice cookies, rhubarb-raspberry muffins, blueberry squares and blueberry peach pies to tomorrow’s Farmers’ Market.

Bourne has some outstanding bath and body products to check out - all handmade right here in London. Judy from One Of A King Unique Jewellery uses real Swavorksi crystals to create her standout line. From anklets to necklaces to key chains, she has it all!

International Bakery will bring their fresh-baked, whole-grain breads to the Farmers’ Market while Bloomer’s will add some colour to the scene with their gorgeous fresh-cut flowers. Fair Haven Mission Farms will be here with trout, handcrafted cards, baked goods and jams. Their raspberry jam is highly recommended. Also stop by the Fair Haven table to check out their pet rabbits which they sell off their farm in Arkona.

After working for five years on a blueberry farm, I have seen blueberries used in just about everything (including blueberry soup). The Three Berry Salsa was always a favourite. This recipe makes use of raspberries, blueberries and strawberries - all of which are currently available locally (strawberries may be a bit tough to find at this point, there are still some out there).

Recipe of the Week - Three Berry Salsa

1 fresh jalapeno pepper
1/2 red onion, minced
2 scallions or gr. onions
1 med. tomato, finely diced
1 small yellow bell pepper
1/4 C chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. vinegar
2 tsp. lime juice
2 tsp. orange juice
1 tsp. honey
1 tbsp. olive oil
3/4 C hulled strawberries
3/4 C raspberries
1 1/2 C blueberries

Wearing rubber gloves, finely mince the jalapeno pepper (use or discard the seeds and membrane to control the heat of the flavour). Stir together with red onion, scallions, tomato and bell pepper (seeded and minced), and coriander. In separate bowl whisk together the salt, vinegar, juices, honey and oil. Pour over the pepper mixture and stir well. Coarsely chop the strawberries. Add all the berries to the pepper mixture and stir to blend. Let stand at room temperature for 3 hours. Serve salsa at room temperature with grilled fish or poultry. Yields 3 C. of salsa.

Jason Mercer will join us for his last week entertaining the Farmers’ Market on the corner of King and Talbot. In the next two weeks we share Market Square with The London Fringe Festival which will feature Kobbler Jay the Eccentric Juggler and World Hacky Sack Champion Jordan Moir.

There is no better time than the summer to make a serious effort to start buying local. We will have a copy of The 100-Mile Diet: Local Eating For Global Change (by Alisa Smith & J.B. MacKinnon) at the Farmers’ Market Info Booth tomorrow so our customers can see what the Buy Local Movement is all about. Blueberries are now in season, yet some local stores continue to sell berries shipped in from the States. It is worth the difference in both taste and carbon footprint to ensure you are supporting local farmers (and of course, the best way to know where exactly where your food comes from is to buy direct from the farmer here at the Farmers’ Market).

Several communities including Hamilton and Chatham-Kent have admirably followed Foodlink Waterloo’s lead and produced maps outlining where people can buy direct from the farmer. We are in the process of creating our own map for London and area. The map is nearing completion and should be ready for next week’s Farmers’ Market. Come to the Farmers’ Market Info Booth to pick up a copy, and while you’re there fill out a ticket for this week’s Farmers’ Market Gift Basket.

The Covent Garden Outdoor Farmers’ Market runs 8am-1pm on Thursday and Saturdays.

Thank you for supporting local farmers and producers at the Covent Garden Outdoor Farmers' Market!