Food and Drink

Get your fish fix at Anchorage farmers markets this week

Whether it's the middle of a July salmon run or the middle of January, Alaska seafood never goes out of style.

Duane Clark will have a wide variety of Alaska options with him this week at the Thankful Thursdays market inside the Mall at Sears.

"The favorable reviews for the black cod (sablefish) fillets are rolling in," Clark says. "The light, flaky fish is just spectacular and gets even tastier when smoked. I also have the scallops from Southeast and spot shrimp and sockeye salmon fillets."

Other seafood options include Pacific cod and smoked salmon. And Clark doesn't forget about the terrestrial options. He has grass-fed beef and yak, along with pork cuts too. Also at Clark's booth are a variety of jams, salsa, honey and birch syrup.

Far North Fungi will be at the market and celebrating its first year in business with "some surprise items at the market," owner Gabe DeGange says. Look for blue oyster mushrooms both fresh and powered, along with a grow kit. DeGange says Far North Fungi also will have its chaga tincture at the market. The mushroom growers are also at Saturday's Center Market.

Julie Meer of Farm 779 says she's "super enthusiastic about delicious and nutritious salads in the winter. Did you know our vegan gluten-free coconut kefirs are a great base for creamy probiotic salad dressings, dips and finishing sauces?"

Meer will have a variety of recipe ideas at the market, along with double thick, turmeric, citrus and regular coconut kefir. Farm 779's other items include beet kvass, kombucha and a large selection of old world style cabbage krauts, citrus and valley grown vegetables. "It's the last week for our Winter Kraut blend, so get 'em while you can," Meer says. And Farm 779's body product lineup continues to expand, she says.

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Center Market

Lots of options to choose from at the Center Market on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at the Mall at Sears.

Earthworks Farm will be at all three markets with honey crafted on the Valley Farm and plenty of their Abeille Alaska beeswax and honey body care products and soaps.

"We have a full roster of our 'Alaska Series' soaps, including lavender-scented Stellers Jay, Snow on Water, Klondike Gold, Northern Lights, Alaska Honeycomb and Alaska Muleskinner," owner Dee Barker says. "They are great-looking soaps to brighten up your winter or for small local-made gift items for those forays out of state."

Monica's Confection Connection will help soothe the sweet tooth at all three Center Markets. Monica Droz says to look for gourmet brittles, including almond brittle; salted caramels; and fudge.

Alex Davis will have his lengthy list of items at this week's three markets, including pork cuts, veggies and eggs.

Veggies include four colors of carrots, green cabbage, red and golden beets, and four types of potatoes. Pork cuts include loin roast, chops, fresh side sliced, ground pork, Italian sausage, spicy sausage, breakfast sausage, chorizo, fajita meat, ribs, roast, fat, bone, feet and hocks. Dog treats made from his pigs are also available, along with chicken eggs, apple butter and a variety of items from other vendors at his booth.

Alaska Fisherman Seafoods Direct will be at the Wednesday and Saturday markets with smoked salmon, red salmon, halibut, halibut cheeks, black cod, Pacific cod, ling cod, king crab, spot shrimp, scallops and razor clams.

Davis says these items or vendors will also be at the market: Alaska Sprouts with micro greens, sprouts, tofu and basil; Alaska Flour Co.'s barley products; Wild Child fermented salsa; Mosquito Mama balsamic vinegar; Doggy Decadence treats; Windy River Farm grass-fed beef; Tonia's Biscotti; Evie's Brinery items, including krauts; Jonsers' hand-crafted nectars; and Alaska Seeds of Change.


Local farmers markets

Wednesday in Anchorage: 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: 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.

Steve Edwards

Steve Edwards lives and writes in Anchorage. He writes the Market Fresh column weekly and can be reached akmarketfresh@gmail.com.

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