After some time off for a trip to Paris, Sweet Caribou is back at the Center Market this week with Parisian macarons and other sweet treats.
Don't look for new creations right away, but James Strong says new flavors are coming.
"We spent time with a former Pierre Hermé chef, honing our macaron skills, as well as learning new French delicacies from other local pastry pros," Strong says. "Countless hours were spent sampling the local dessert and pastry shops, looking for new flavors and new dessert items. One of our favorites was the Jardin Pamplemousse (grapefruit, clove, nutmeg and candied grapefruit), along with the selection of savory macarons, one that included truffles and another with olive oil and vanilla. Expect a weekly lineup of Paris inspired macarons soon!"
For this week, Sweet Caribou will have some of its already popular macarons at the market. Look for the Fred Flintstone, passionfruit orange guava, almond joy, pomegranate chocolate, banana's foster and maple bacon, which Strong says is their most popular macaron.
"With candied bacon and maple buttercream, you wouldn't find it any Parisian shop, but is found under MSN's list of 'delectable cookies in every state,'" Strong says. "We'll also have our key lime cupcakes, Belgian chocolate brownies and toffee blondies."
The Center Market is open Wednesday and Saturday. Look for plenty of other vendors too.
Earthworks Farm will be at both markets with their handmade skin and bath care line, which contains Matanuska Valley honey or beeswax. Also look for handmade soaps, including a new "spa bar," Dee Barker says, which includes "French red clay and activated charcoal layers scented with rose and sandlewood." Other items include moisturizing cream, lotion bars and body lotions. Barker says the on-the-farm store is open noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays at 5705 N. Farm Loop Road just outside of Palmer.
Alaska Black Cod will be at both markets this week with lingcod, halibut, scallops, black cod (sablefish), salmon and yelloweye rockfish. They also have smoked black cod portions and tips, and smoked salmon.
Farm 779 will be at both markets this week, featuring whole food probiotics, kefirs, krauts, kombucha and "possibly dancing poodles," Julie Meer says. Don't count on the poodles.
La Grassa will be at both markets with several pasta options. Spinach and original hand-cut noodles are available as fettuccine, tagliatelle and pappardelle. Other pastas include vegan basil strozzapreti; garlicky green and pecorino cheese ravioli; spinach gnocchetti; vegan Alaska potato and garlic ravioli; and Alaska beet, goat cheese and almond ravioli.
Country Health Foods will be at Wednesday's market with its usual lineup of grass-fed beef and yak, jams, salsas and other items.
Monica's Confection Connection is back at Wednesday's market with a variety of brittles.
Rempel Family Farm will be at Saturday's market with grass-fed yak along with a selection of storage vegetables, including carrots, beets, 11 varieties of potatoes, turnips, parsnips, cabbage and other items.
Depot Farm Market
The Valley's Monday market is celebrating the new year with several special presentations and exhibits on Monday.
"The Bistro Red Beet will be providing free hot soup and bread; we'll have an old-fashioned popcorn wagon with free popcorn; there will be three drawings through the day for baskets of free goodies from the market vendors; Thornwood Farm will have a couple of baby cashmere goats there, with their moms; Reckon It's a Craft will demonstrate curing cast iron pans; Back Country Bike & Ski will show off winter biking equipment; several vendors will give demonstrations throughout the day in stained glass, spinning, crafting and more; and there will be free face painting from 4 to 6," says Helen Sullivan of Thornwood Farm and a market organizer.
Look for these highlights in addition to the special items. Simple Living Farm will have carrots, potatoes, beets, cabbages, pickled vegetables, dried herbs and spices and honey, along with wood crafts. Golden Farms has frozen pork and chicken, and fermented vegetables. Happy Family Jams will have locally grown fruit and vegetable jams, jellies and relishes. Three Branches will have locally grown and wild herb salves, balms, teas and dried herbs, including Devil's Club root and bark.
Alaska Grown Revolution will have fresh local eggs, Delta barley pancake mix, cream of barley cereal and more local grain products. Thornwood Farm has frozen goat meat in chops, ground and roasts. Voodoo Chocolates will be at the market with handmade Belgian chocolates. Kimberly Durst Cakes will have sweet treats includes cupcakes, cake pops and cookies. Other vendors also will have handmade jewelry, handmade soaps and lotions, and a variety of other items.
Duanes Top Shelf Artisan Market
The Valley's Friday and Saturday market will feature Country Health Foods, Voodoo Chocolates, Jonesers and Farm 779. Duane Clark says he will have pasta from La Grassa in addition to his own items.
For the dog lovers
Drool Central will be at the Alaska Kennel Club Dog Show from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Egan Center. Daisy Nicolas will be featuring her fresh-baked pumpkin chicken "muttfins," fresh-frozen meals and regular treats.
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: Center Market, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street
Friday in the Valley: Duane's Top Shelf Farmers Market, 2-7 p.m., 1507 N. Double B St., Palmer
Saturday in Anchorage: Center Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street
Saturday in the Valley: Duane's Top Shelf Farmers Market, noon-7 p.m., 1507 N. Double B St., Palmer