Want fresh halibut or salmon for the grill? Act quickly.
"Fall is coming to an end and along with that the fresh season in Alaska as well," says John Jackson of New Sagaya Markets. "The last of the silvers are finishing up and the only fresh Alaskan salmon will be the troll-caught king salmon out of Southeast Alaska."
Dannon Southall of 10th & M Seafoods adds: "From the Gulf of Alaska, fresh halibut and cod have been coming in daily. The halibut season will be closing at the beginning of November so now is the time to enjoy the last of the fresh halibut."
Southall says 10th & M will have a nice selection of winter kings despite uncooperative weather the first few days. The fish are averaging 12 to 14 pounds and are $14.95 per pound for head-on fish and $21.95 per pound for fillets. 10th & M also has Alaska spot shrimp from Southeast, along with live oysters and mussels.
Jackson says that "Alaskan cod and rockfish are still around and looking nice, but these two fresh options will wane in November as well." New Sagaya has king salmon for $12.99 a pound and halibut for $11.99 a pound for whole fish.
At the farmers market
Head indoors to the Center Market at The Mall at Sears on Wednesday and Saturday for a nice selection of vegetables, seafood and other items.
La Grassa: Look for spinach and original hand-cut fresh pasta, available as fettuccine, tagliatelle and pappardelle; vegan sourdough strozzapreti; Alaska potato gnocchi; Alaska kale, ricotta and roasted garlic ravioli; and roasted red pepper and goat cheese ravioli.
Farm 779: Julie Meer says Farm 779 chi is a "sweet, hot, delicious exclusive delicacy." Also look for magenta beet kvass, lacto-fermented coconut and vegetable selections.
Alaska Black Cod: Despite the name, Alaska Black Cod will have a wide variety of seafood options at the market on both Wednesday and Saturday. In addition to the black cod (sablefish), they have Copper River salmon, scallops and Pacific cod. "As you start to think of holiday presents, we will be taking orders to ship to the Lower 48," says Lynn Clarke.
A.D. Farm: Alex Davis will have tomatoes, cabbage, four colors of carrots, three varieties of beets, German butterball potatoes, French fingerling potatoes and Brussels sprouts. His pork items include suckling pigs, chops, roast, fresh side, sausage, ground pork, liver, hocks, soup bones, fat and skin. He also will have eggs, fresh-baked pies, Alaska Flour Co. barley products and items from Alaska Sprouts.
Country Health Foods: Duane Clark is back in the state and back at the market after several weeks Outside for family business. Clark will have grass-fed beef, yak, Alaska scallops, local honey, salsa and zucchini relish.
For the pups
Drool Central will be at the Carrs Huffman Shopping Center from noon to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Daisy Nicolas is featuring organic pumpkin puree treats for dogs, including her Pumpkin Chicken Muttfins and Le Coeur Rouge, which includes Alaska grown red beets and organic split pea flour.
Steve Edwards lives and writes in Anchorage. Contact him at akmarketfresh@gmail.com.
Alaska farmers markets
Monday in Palmer: Depot Farm Market, noon-6 p.m., Palmer Depot
Wednesday in Anchorage: Alaska Pacific University Farmers Market, 1:30-6:30 p.m., APU campus in front of Grant Hall; Center Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street
Thursday in Peters Creek: Peters Creek Farmers Market, 3-7 p.m., American Legion Post 33, Old Glenn Highway
Saturday in Anchorage: Center Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street