For many, the week between Christmas and New Year's is a quiet one.
That's not the case for Alaska's farmers and fishermen. The year-round farmers markets are buzzing and the fish markets have plenty of options too. So there are still good reasons to celebrate.
From the sea
Dannon Southall from 10th & M Seafoods said things have been "a little quiet" in the days surrounding Christmas, but things are changing.
"Fishermen started fueling up their boats Monday and heading out to the grounds to target amazing Alaskan seafood," he said. "In Southeast, fishermen are targeting fresh troll king salmon as well as side stripe shrimp. As long as all the stars line up we will have fresh shrimp in here on Thursday and fresh king salmon on Friday."
Southall said 10th & M will have live shellfish in the store all week, with live oysters from a variety of Alaska locations at $14.95 per dozen, live mussels from Kachemak Bay at $6.95 a pound and live manila clams from Washington at $6.95 a pound.
"These fresh items will be here in time to fill the tables of all the New Year's parties," Southall said. "We also have lots of frozen shrimp, crab claws, as well as sausages to add to the plethora of fresh fish available this week to ring in the new year."
Thankful Thursdays
Expect a full lineup of vendors at the Thursday market at The Mall at Sears.
Duane Clark will have vegetables, including Yensis onions, honey, grass-fed beef and yak, smoked salmon from Tilgner's Seafoods, jams, salsa and zucchini relish.
"Tilgner smoked salmon products make the perfect addition for the New Year's gathering host," Clark said.
Thursday will be the last market appearance for Farm 779 until February. Stop in to stock up on kefirs, krauts, kvass and other goodies.
Other vendors include The Spice & Tea Exchange with a variety of spices, Drool Central with dog treats and Non Essentials with eggs and other items.
Center Market
As usual, there will be plenty of choices at the twice-weekly Center Market at The Mall at Sears. Check out the vendors on Wednesday and Saturday.
Earthworks Farm will be at both markets with a variety of items made from honey and beeswax. New this week is Chocolate Espresso soap. "We just put it out before Christmas and have almost sold out of this now-popular soap," Dee Barker said. "It has a heavenly scent of a rich chocolate espresso drink, very similar to the one I had at Modern Dwellers Chocolate Lounge, which is the inspiration for this soap. This soap is a great one for chocolate and coffee lovers!"
In addition to the market, Earthworks has an on-the-farm store, perfectly located for adventurers headed to Hatcher Pass, Barker said. "If you happen to be on your way for snowboarding or tobogganing, you might stop on your way there to pick up some beeswax-based lip balm or moisturizing cream," she said. The shop is open noon to 6 p.m. Thursday to Saturday at 5705 N. Farm Loop Road, just outside of Palmer on the Glenn Highway.
La Grassa will be at both markets this week. The pasta pros will have a huge selection, including organic original, organic spinach and white wine saffron hand-cut noodles. Specialty pastas include: garlicky greens and pecorino cheese ravioli; roasted squash and pecorino ravioli; roasted red pepper and goat cheese ravioli; vegan sautéed mushroom and truffle ravioli; and vegan basil strozzapreti.
Alex Davis of A.D. Farm is unveiling fresh goose eggs at the market this week.
"We moved the geese in with the chickens this fall and now they think it is spring, so we have fresh goose eggs as well as chicken eggs," he said.
Davis also has his pork cuts, grass-fed beef, cuts of goat meat, local honey, raspberry jam, dog treats, vegetables, barley products from Alaska Flour Co. and a variety of items from Alaska Sprouts.
Monica's Confection Connection will be at both markets this week. It's the last week for the Holiday Spice Brittle, and there will be a number of other sweet treats, including fudge and caramels.
Rempel Family Farm will be at Saturday's market with yak meat and vegetables including carrots, cabbage, purple onions, turnips, beets, kohlrabi, winter squash, parsnips and 13 varieties of potatoes.
Steve Edwards lives and writes in Anchorage. Contact him at akmarketfresh@gmail.com.
Local farmers markets
Monday in the Valley: Colony Farmers Market, noon-6 p.m., 610 S. Valley Way, Palmer
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
Saturday in Anchorage: Center Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., The Mall at Sears, Benson Boulevard and Denali Street