Last-second holiday shopping? Your local farmers and farmers markets still have plenty in the gift department.
- The Persistent Farmer, Rob Wells, has plenty of dahlias available for gifts. Of course, right now they are just pretty pictures of tubers that are asleep. "These showy flowers need to be started early in the spring, and our roots are proven to do well in our climate," Wells says. "Since we are relatively small, our inventory is limited, so we are now taking orders and will give priority to those who order early. We also have gift certificates available for holiday presents in denominations from $25 to $100. The gift certificate can be used for tuber purchases that will be available beginning in March at the Center Market or our popular 'start for you' options, for delivery of 6-inch potted tubers in May that are ready for transplant." Visit thepersistentfarmer.com for a look at the 2016 inventory and order a gift certificate.
- Sweet Caribou has holiday gift packs at Wednesday's Center Market. "Sweet Caribou holiday gift packs are the perfect gift for the person who has everything," says owner James Strong. "Just get them a set of peppermint bark, cranberry orange, pumpkin cheesecake, salted caramel hot chocolate and gingerbread eggnog macarons." In addition to the macarons, check out peppermint bark cupcakes, Belgium chocolate brownies and additional macaron flavors.
- Monica's Confection Connection will be at Wednesday's Center Market with a special holiday spice brittle. "The nut in this brittle is pecan and it tastes like Christmas, or pumpkin pie without the pumpkin," says owner Monica Droz. Other brittles available include cashew, pecan, peanut, jalapeno peanut and cayenne cashew.
- Earthworks Farm's new on-farm store is open Wednesday and Thursday for last-minute shopping. The store, on the historic Colony-era farm at 5705 N. Farm Loop Rd., will have Abeille Alaska beeswax and honey body and bath skin care items, including a special Christmas candy soap scented with peppermint and honey and a crazy cupcake soap. They will also have items at the Center Market.
- Country Health Foods will be at Wednesday's market with gift baskets of salsa, honey, jams and zucchini relish. He also has grass-fed beef, yak and lamb. The limited-time offering of lamb includes roasts, chunks for stewing, ground lamb and lamb soup bones.
Several other vendors are lined up for the Center Market:
Alex Davis of A.D. Farm says, "If you need anything local for your Christmas dinner, come by the market on Wednesday."
Davis has pork cuts including chops, roast, fresh side, ground pork, Italian sausage, roast and soup bones, along with custom-made 40-pound boxes of pork. His vegetable options include several varieties of carrots, beets and potatoes. He also has fresh eggs; sprouts, tofu, basil and mircro greens from Alaska Sprouts; and barley items.
Alaska Black Cod has its namesake fish and plenty of other Alaska seafood options. "This time of the year, customers are asking for lingcod and yelloweye rockfish," says Lynn Clarke. "Both products are running about $12 a pound. We will also have halibut, and that's about $21 a pound." Other items include smoked black cod and Copper River salmon, along with Pacific cod and scallops. They will be at both markets this week.
La Grassa will be at Wednesday's market with fresh spinach, original and white wine saffron hand-cut noodles all available as fettuccine, tagliatelle and pappardelle. Other pasta options include vegan sourdough strozzapreti; Alaska potato gnocchi; sautéed mushroom ravioli; vegan Alaska beet and cashew ricotta ravioli; and preserved lemon, goat cheese and kale ravioli.
Farm 779 will be at Wednesday's market "stocked with festive holiday whole food probiotic treats to get you through the week," says owner Julie Meer. "We will have Granny's secret recipe hot dilly green beans fermented to perfection by the pint, and are introducing the Ultimate Fermented Coconut Condiment. It's perfect for adding to dipping sauce, salad greens, topping meat or enjoying neat." Other items include cashew coconut cacao truffles, kefirs and ginger kombucha.
Duanes Top Shelf Artisan Market
The Friday market at the MTA Sports Center in the Valley is taking a two-week break for the holidays. The market will be back on Jan. 8.
Steve Edwards lives and writes in Anchorage. Contact him at akmarketfresh@gmail.com.
Local farmers markets
Monday in the Valley: 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
Saturday in Anchorage: Center Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street