Farmers markets head indoors for the winter, but there are still plenty of local treats

With the below-freezing temperatures, it's been feeling a lot more like winter than autumn. And the farmers who have completed their harvests are happy.
Late-season crops are plentiful at the indoor farmers markets.

"Harvest is finally done for us," says Alex Davis of AD Farm and the Center Market, which has three indoor options at The Mall at Sears. "Cleanup now begins, before things disappear under a blanket of snow.

"If you're looking for root crops, life is good. We have a little leftover broccoli and cauliflower."

Davis will have plenty of those root crops to accompany the broccoli and cauliflower on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The vegetable crop includes red and green cabbage, kohlrabi, red beets, golden beets, four varieties of cauliflower, broccoli, spaghetti squash, acorn squash and four colors of carrots. Davis also has plenty of potatoes, including Yukon gold, both loose and in 25-pound bags; German butterball, loose and in 25-pound bags; magic Molly; and fiesta potatoes.

As always, Davis has a wide selection of pork cuts. His coolers at the mall will be filled with loin roast, pork chops, fresh side sliced, ground pork, Italian sausage, spicy sausage, breakfast sausage, chorizo, fajita meat, ribs, roast, bone for broth, fat for rendering, feet and hocks. Davis also has duck and chicken eggs and raspberry jam.

Davis also has a variety of items from Alaska Sprouts, including micro greens, tofu and basil; Alaska Flour Co.'s barley products; grass-fed beef from Windy River Farm; krauts, kimchi and other items from Evie's Brinery; and items from Tonia's Biscotti.

Northern Lights Mushrooms will be at Wednesday's market with shiitake and king oyster mushrooms, along with end-of-season cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes.

Monica's Confection Connection will be at the Wednesday market with gourmet brittles, caramels, salted caramels, gummies, marshmallows and fudge. Featured this week is Holiday Spice Brittle, and fudge flavors including pumpkin pie, butter pecan, chocolate walnut and cookies and cream.

Alaska Seeds of Change will be at Saturday's market with a large selection of fresh herbs, including chervil, dill, stevia, Thai basil, Genovese basil, parsley and chives. They also will have bok choy, cabbage, rainbow Swiss chard and three varieties of Russian kale. They also have locally grown strawberries. Also look for Alaska Seeds of Change at Wednesday's APU Farmers Market.

Other vendors include Jonsers hand-crafted nectars, Doggy Decadence and Mosquito Mama with balsamic vinegar.

Thankful Thursdays

Far North Fungi will be at the market with fresh blue oyster mushrooms available at Thankful Thursday. "We also have our fantastic powdered mushrooms, great for gravy mixes, as a flour substitute or as an umami-filled spice rub," says owner Allison Dunbar.

Farm 779 will have "an abundant ketogenic lineup including ferments and nondairy vegan and gluten-free snacking options," says owner Julie Meer.
Look for almond cocktail bread loaves, almond cookies, kefirs, "Awesome Sauce," krauts and vegetable blends made with Valley-grown produce, Yensis and red onions, carrots, and body products.

Duane Clark will be at the market with potatoes, carrots, beets, kale, honey, jams, salsa, grass-fed beef and yak.

Steve Edwards lives and writes in Anchorage. Contact him at akmarketfresh@gmail.com.

Local farmers markets

Wednesday in Anchorage: APU Farmers Market, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., 4225 University Drive; Center Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street

Thursday in Anchorage: Thankful Thursdays market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street

Friday in Anchorage: Center Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street; Fourth Avenue Indoor Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 333 W. Fourth Ave.

Saturday in Anchorage: Anchorage Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 15th Avenue and Cordova Street; Center Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street; Fourth Avenue Indoor Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 333 W. Fourth Ave.

Sunday in Anchorage: Fourth Avenue Indoor Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 333 W. Fourth Ave.