Dannon Southall says it's time to get a taste of Alaska seafood -- right in the middle of winter.
"The weather has been cooperating enough down in Southeast, allowing both the troll king salmon and shrimp fisherman to go out target some amazing Alaskan seafood," says Southall of 10th & M Seafoods. "The numbers of fresh kings has slowly been on the rise, we have both head-on fish and filets in house all week.
"A bonus this week is fresh white kings. These winter beauties will be available all week as well."
In addition to the salmon and side stripe shrimp from Southeast, Southall says that Gulf of Alaska cod are available in the store for $5.95 per pound for filets. "The weather in the Gulf hasn't been as nice as Southeast so cod may be a little hit or miss this week," he says.
Also is the store this week is a nice selection of warm-water fish from Hawaii. Southall says big-eye tuna, mahi-mahi, ono and opah will be available all week.
Center Market
The Wednesday and Saturday markets at the Mall at Sears will have plenty of selections for shoppers.
Alaska Black Cod will provide seafood options to marketgoers on Wednesday and Saturday. They will have lingcod, halibut, scallops, black cod, salmon and yelloweye rockfish. They also have smoked black cod portions and tips, along with smoked salmon. "We have a limited supply of black cod fish stock," Lynn Clarke says. "Customers are happy to find this, as they use it as their fish base in soups, sauces, etc."
Earthworks Farm will have honey and Abeille Alaska skin-care products made with Alaska beeswax and honey at both markets. Dee Barker says they will have several of their popular soaps, including Northern Lights, "which actually has glow-in-the-dark colors." They also will have moisturizing cream and a new lotion line for "those winter weary hands," she says.
A.D. Farm will be at both markets. Alex Davis will have a large selection of pork items. The Alaska-grown pork includes chops, loin roast, suckling pigs, fresh side sliced and slab, ground pork, Italian sausage, spicy sausage, breakfast sausage patties, ribs, bones for broth, fat, liver, feet and hocks. He also makes up custom 40-pound boxes.
Additionally, Davis will have storage vegetables, including carrots in four colors, three varieties of beets, four types of potatoes and cabbage. He will have eggs, Alaska Sprouts items and a variety of in-state barley products.
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,; garlic-green and pecorino cheese ravioli; spinach gnocchetti; vegan Alaska potato and garlic ravioli; and Alaska beet, goat cheese and almond ravioli.
Also look for Rempel Family Farm on Saturday with a variety of vegetables and yak meat; Farm 779 on Wednesday with coconut kefir, ginger kombucha, krauts and other whole vegan foods; and Country Health Foods on Wednesday with grass-fed beef and yak, along with additional food choices.
Duanes Top Shelf Market
Look for the regular lineup of vendors at the MTA Sports Center in the Valley on Friday and Saturday.
Country Health Foods will have grass-fed beef and yak, salsa, honey, jams, zucchini relish and Alaska bottled water.
Farm 779 will have a variety of options including "paleo and whole 30 compatible ferments," says owner Julie Meer. "Valley vendors using Valley-sourced certified organic produce.
Bread is back
For devoted Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop lovers, Wednesday is a happy day. The bread shop closes down annually in January. It reopens on Wednesday.
The January menu includes a variety of breads like Alaska sourdough, ciabatta, New York rye; croissants; cakes; lemon poppy, apple walnut, blueberry bran and toasted corn muffins; blackberry rhubarb, cherry almond, cranberry orange zest and blueberry cornmeal scones; cookies; European-style tarts; cakes and other goodies.
Fire Island is open 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays at two locations: 1343 G St. and 2530 E. 16th Ave.
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