Food & Drink

Market Fresh: Touch down at the farmers markets

It's Super Bowl week, and there are plenty of reasons to cheer -- even if you aren't a Seahawks or Patriots fan.

Here they are in fourth-down territory.

First down: Super Bowl seafood

Most Super Bowl menus will include a full complement of chips, pizza and beer. Consider the following for a real taste of Alaska on Sunday.

"We have an all-Alaskan feast for the Super Bowl this weekend," says Dannon Southall of 10th & M Seafoods in Anchorage. "The Gulf of Alaska is producing fresh cod. These flaky white fish fillets work well in any recipe and are going for $5.50 per pound all week long leading up to the game.

"The pristine waters in Southeast Alaska are also producing a few Alaskan treats. The number of fresh troll king salmon coming has been steady with a few whites mixed in. As long as the weather holds, we will have fresh kings all week. Also from the waters of Southeast Alaska are fresh side-stripe shrimp. To round out this feast are live Alaskan oysters."

Shrimp is $8.95/pound while the oysters are $12.95/dozen.

Second down: touchdown treats

After nearly a month away from the ovens, Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop, 1343 G St., reopens Wednesday. It's perfect timing for a big football weekend -- or for anyone missing their scones, baguettes and other tasty treats.

ADVERTISEMENT

As always, the Fire Island bakers took advantage of the time off for some additional training.

"Fire Island bakers traveled far and wide to train with other bakeries, patisseries, butcheries and restaurants," says co-owner Rachel Saul. "Blair Mathews, scone and muffin baker, traveled to Memphis, Tennessee, to train under Laura Jackson, owner of the Flour Garden. She learned about cake assembly and flavor profiling in the South.

"Carlyle Watt took the month of January to reside in Portland, Oregon. He worked with our existing vendor, Nicki USA, touring their facilities and meeting with their butchers. He also worked with another farm, Tails and Trotters, Northwest Hazelnut Finished Pork, to best source meat for our sandwiches and other savory products. Carlyle collaborated with butchers and farmers from across the region and will be introducing unique flavors and products in the coming months."

Fire Island is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays to Sundays.

Third down: Center Market

Taking the field for the first time at the Center Market is Mosquito Mama. Holly Thorssin will be selling a cranberry and garlic salad dressing, marinade for meats, roast for vegetables and bread dip at both the Wednesday and Saturday markets.

"'Holly's Borealis Berry Balsamic Buzzzzz' is … an irresistible, and healthy, combination of raw chopped garlic, a variety of vinegars, cranberries, spices, honey and olive oil," Thorssin says.

It will be a busy market this week, with loads of vendors lined up -- and some have a football theme in mind too.

On Saturday, Sweet Caribou is providing a colorful macaron showdown. "Seahawks blue-and-green limeade macarons versus Patriots red-white-and-blue sizzlin' cinnamon macarons," says owner James Strong. "The macaron team flavor that sells out first earns its fans delicious bragging rights."

Other sweet treats this week on Wednesday and Saturday include additional macarons, like coconut lime and chocolate pomegranate, along with a triple chocolate cupcake and fudgy Belgian chocolate brownies.

Alaska Black Cod will have its black cod and salmon items at this week's markets.

"Everyone is thinking of food ideas for Super Bowl Sunday. We have a treat for you. Try out organic gluten-free, wheat-free teriyaki marinated black cod collars," Lynn Clarke says. "If you're grilling or broiling this weekend, this is a perfect delicacy."

Alex Davis will have a variety of produce (beets, carrots and potatoes), along with fresh eggs, pork items and Alaska Flour Co. items like whole barley and barley cereal.

Duane Clark's Country Health Food will have yak meat, Alaska shrimp, raw honey and Alaska Sprouts items. And "this week celebrates the return of grass-fed beef in quantity," Clark says.

Sweet Flours will be selling a variety of new items at the Center Market. On Wednesday, they will have two vegan and two non-vegan sandwich options. Eggplant steak with olive tapenade and ratatouille are the vegan sandwiches, while roasted chicken with avocado and eggplant parmesan are also new to the menu, along with savory flat breads.

Other vendors include Drool Central with a variety of meals and treats for dogs, including several grainless products; Earthworks Farm will have its natural beeswax and honey skin care line of products on Wednesday; Monica's Confection Connections with several varieties of brittle; on Wednesday, Alaska Vegan & Gluten Free will have a full menu, including soups, spaghetti sauce and salad dressing; Farm 779 will be at Wednesday's market with kefirs, kraut and kefir water; and Rempel Family Farm will have a large selection of storage vegetables and yak meat on Saturday.

Fourth down: Top Shelf Market

Friday at the Top Shelf Artisan Market there will be a nice selection from a variety of vendors.

"You will find those amazing hand-spun nectars and herbal teas," says Julie Meer, who organizes the Palmer market. "Locally sourced beef, yak, seafood and vegetables so fresh they only traveled 15 miles to the market, and bone broth from Turkey Red."

ADVERTISEMENT

Meer says her Farm 779 will provide cashew and coconut based kefirs, locally sourced root vegetable krauts and kefir water sodas.

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

Local farmers’ markets

Monday: Depot Farm Market, noon to 6 p.m., Palmer Depot

Wednesday: Center Market, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street

Friday: Top Shelf Artisan Market, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., 550 S. Alaska Street, Palmer

Saturday: Center Market, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street

Steve Edwards

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

ADVERTISEMENT