The word is … Last week, the Opening Week for the market – was a HUGE success! In the 4 hours that the market is open, there were over 6000 people who visited the market. Most of the vendors were sold out. And if you need a list of the venders, Look Here. You will be surprised as to the number of vendors and the products that are available. I have tried to show some of the vendors in the following photos that I took today. These are the ones that I normally frequent. There are food booths, and some wonderful coffee, too, that will provide some delicious treats. Pasta, waffles, doughnuts and cupcakes, wine and beer, pasta and other goodies, to name a few. Enjoy the photos and tour of the Farmers Market! It was a beautiful, sunny morning so I did not alter the photos. I left the shadows and sunshine in!
Janie Burns, Meadowlark Farms. Eggs, lamb, chicken and a pleasant smile!
Acme Bake Shop. Awesome sourdough and old world style rye. They also have ciabatta, focaccia, potato bread and a large variety of other breads. Fresh baked everyday. Some of the best bread in Boise. Say Hi to Michael and Soraya for us.
Gaston’s Bakery. Wonderful croissants – plain, almond, ham and cheese – and a variety of speciality breads. Say Hi to Mathiew for us. Robin says the best almond croissants on the 3rd Rock from the Sun!
Idaho Honey. Great tasting honey and a wonderful Creamed Honey. They do sell online so check their link out in the sidebar or Right Here!
Rollingstone Chevre. If you like goat cheese, Robin does and I like some of it, then you will need to stop by and talk to Karen Evans about her cheese.
River View Gardens. Great fresh garlic, asparagus, spinach, lettuce and onions. They have awesome garlic selections in the fall. Several varieties – I think they have about 9 varieties last year. They also provide information sheets about the differences in the garlics.
Rice Family Farms. Carrots, parsnips, radishes, lettuces and a variety of fresh produce.
Purple Sage Farms. Great almost year round produce. Lettuces, herbs, fermented products, cabbages in the fall and other wonderful products. They are also going to have some Fenugreek – an spice used in the cuisine of India. “Fresh fenugreek leaves are an ingredient in some Indian curries. Sprouted seeds and microgreens are used in salads. When harvested as microgreens, fenugreek is known as Samudra Methi in Maharashtra, especially in and around Mumbai, where it is often grown near the sea in the sandy tracts … When sold as a vegetable in India the young plants are harvested with their roots still attached and sold in small bundles in the markets and bazaars.” [Wikipedia] They have an extensive greenhouse setup that you can tour if you call ahead.
Volcanic Farms. Here we have some Chard. They also have other green vegetables.
As an End-Note, the Big Valley Ranch is at the Farmers Market and they are supplying Highland cattle meat. The ranch is located in the Horseshoe Bend area. I will be sure to check them out next Saturday. I/we have never eaten Highland beef. “The meat tends to be leaner than most beef because Highlands get most of their insulation from their thick shaggy hair rather than subcutaneous fat. The coat makes them a good breed for cold northern climates and they are able to thrive in outdoor conditions that would defeat most other breeds of domestic beef cattle.” [Wikipedia] “It is beef that comes from Highland cattle that is superior in flavor, tenderness and cooking. Highland (sometimes called Scottish Highland) is a distinct breed of cattle that are generally smaller than Angus…” [The Reluctant Gourmet] Here are some Cooking Tips for preparing Highland beef. Interesting. Sounds a lot like the preparation for Buffalo.
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We were not in town last week, so I missed the market. But, I made up for it today. Wonderful green and yellow zucchini squash, fresh heirloom tomatoes, fresh Roma tomatoes, fresh Chesnok Red garlic, fresh arugula, fresh eggs and fresh, still warm Acme Bake Shop sourdough bread – I have two Muffulettas to make – there is a photo of the sandwich on the recipe at the link. Fresh spinach is probably done for the year – it’s too hot and the spinach bolts (goes to seed).
Boise Foodie Guild 