Strawberries, Ponies, and Jazz

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? We invite you to check out our weekly neighborhood reunion at The Harvest Market. After coming through the winter weeks, the market is back in full swing with live entertainment, great produce, The Harvest Marketplace (formerly called the Thieves’ Market) and fun for the kids.

Market Manager Mark Sheridan says this is the year for some great strawberries. They are big, sweet and full of flavor because of the warm weather we had early this year. Joe’s Produce and several of our farmers are ready with the cream of the crop. This is also the time to purchase golden beets. The three to four week growing window is short and we are right in the midst of it. We are nearing the end of the apple and navel orange season so come and get them while you can.     I love getting this info and I hope you do, too. Mark is so knowledgeable when it comes to what’s happening in the fresh fruit, flower, plant and veggie arena.

New at the market and a must try is wild Alaska sockeye salmon. Meet Jeanne Marie Deranja whose husband Ivo navigates Alaska’s choppy waters on the F/V Jeanne Marie to catch these flavorful fish. Sockeye salmon are highly sought after for their flavor, color, quality and high omega 3 oil content. They are a deep red, orange in color, which is several shades darker than regular salmon. Jeanne recommends simply baking them with olive oil, fresh rosemary and lemon. Yum!

While you are selecting your berries, beets, and salmon, enjoy the music from our favorite Gremoli New Orleans Jazz Band, always a hit. For the kids “Critters To Go” will be here with hand led pony rides and a live petting zoo.

If you are like me and love to shop, meander through our Harvest Marketplace. Many of your favorite vendors will be there along with some new ones. Just to name a few, Jeanette Aragon makes beautiful wooden puzzles and puzzle toys at her booth “The Puzzled One.” Eli Burnham of “Sunset Pig” makes jewelry with custom tile pieces using  your own photo or your pet’s photo.

And by all means plan to eat. Whether outdoors in the market or reclining in one of our many cafés, the smells of delicious food will beckon you.

See you at the market!

  Mary Dawson